Spring Break Trip - Day 4

[ate breakfast at the hotel (leftovers and snacks) - checked out at 0800 - our first stop was at Saint Mary's College, just west of Notre Dame - the weather was really pretty and we found a good parking place at the Welcome Center (0930) - the Twins' names were listed on the school billboard (!) and the red carpet was definitely rolled out for them - we got the royal treatment in the tour (classrooms, library, dorm rooms, cafeteria, etc.) - at the end, we visited the Admissions office and the girls received a first class vetting by the staff - we learned there is an engineering program that partners with Notre Dame and allows students to receive a degree from ND (!) - ate a free lunch in the dining hall (another really good meal) before departing - we drove south on US-31, sort of sad to leave South Bend after several really good days there... - switched to IN-25 near Rochester and took it all the way to I-65 - the kids slept almost all the way to West Lafayette - they didn't even ask to stop - when we finally arrived, we spent about an hour exploring the Purdue campus - we looked for places to park (hardly any) and planned out our return for the morning - the Twins contacted their mother to set up the tour with one of their friend's from Texas - after looking for hotels for about an hour, we found a reasonably priced one (Quality Inn) in Lafayette, arriving at 1630 - we got settled and the kids did some homework for a bit - on the way to dinner, we drove to the AT&T Store (nearby) to try to get Erin's phone fixed - it turned out that it couldn't be done there (or quickly), so we gave up and looked around for a place to eat - we stumbled across a place called Sushi Don (Asian Fusion) in Lafayette (1915) - at first, the kids indicated disatisfaction with the food choices, but it turned out to be really good (stone bowl teryaki chicken for the Twins and sushi for me and Mollie) - we also had some appetizers (croquets) and good drinks - overall, a big hit - afterwards, I took advantage of the long day (west end of the Eastern timezone) and convinced the kids to let me drive them to nearby Tippecanoe Battlefield - I got disoriented on some farm roads north of West Lafayette and we ended up in some big cornfields with huge windmills - the sun was setting when I finally found the right roads (combination of IN-18, I-65 and IN-43 to find the park in Battle Ground - we took some pictures of the monuments as dusk settled and then we headed back to the hotel - the kids studied and watched TV while I read - bed late]

Spring Break Trip - Day 3

[woke up at 0630, got ready and then tried to wake the kids (it wasn't easy!) - picked up breakfast at McDonalds in Mishawaka (0905) - drove over to the Notre Dame campus and had a hard time parking (lots of other visitors, I guess) - ended up parking in a two hour spot at Eddy Street Commons - after a brisk walk, we arrived at the Main Building for orientation at 1000 - it was only then that I realized I'd actually made a reservation for the following day... - no worries, we still had a seat and the kids got a lot out of the introduction to the campus - I was one of only two alumni in the room (surprised...) - afterwards, I went with Mollie to move the car and the girls took a tour of campus - Mollie and I waited on bench in the warm Spring sun (finally!) - a squirrel boldly joined us on our bench and Mollie got some good pictures - when the kids returned, we moved the car one more time (to the Hammes Bookstore parking lot - we then walked over South Dining Hall for lunch (1300) -things were sure different from when I was there (food was actually good)! - the kids liked the chocolate milk, dispensed from the big metal box - we visited the Bookstore after eating and even checked in at the Alumni Office - got back in our car and headed back to the hotel so the Twins could do some homework - Mollie and I decided to head south to visit Potato Creek State Park - used Main Street through Mishawaka and got a tank of gas at 7-Eleven in Mishwaka (1545) - drove on (the apparently improved) US-31 until we arrived at IN-4 - the park was free (I guess it was the right time of day, fortunately) so we enjoyed a few hours hours of hiking (1600-1800) on the trails - it brought back memories from many years ago... - there was lots of prairie wetlands reclamation (including some evidence of ospreys) - frogs were really loud! - when we were done, we drove back to Mishawaka to get the Twins - ate dinner at Brunos Pizza in Mishawaka (1740) - food was good and brought back more memories from my time at ND - we went back to the room and the kids watched TV for several hours while I read my book - we packed up so we could depart in the morning - bed late]

Spring Break Trip - Day 2

[Woke up at 0730 - finished taxes (and filed - whew!) - waited for kids to wake up (1000) - when they were finally ready, we drove over to Notre Dame and walked to Sacred Heart for Palm Sunday Mass (1145) - when it began, we walked in with everyone from Bond Hall with our palms and entered the church to find our seats had been taken - crammed in OK, though - the girls were impressed that all the college kids attended services - after it was over, we ate lunch at Subway at LaFortune Student Center (1325) - things looked different but I was able to navigate around OK - we walked around the campus for about an hour so I could show the kids my old haunts - it started to rain (sleet, actually) - we took shelter in Fitzpatrick Engineering Hall and ended up meeting a few girls who were engineering students - they gave girls a pep talk about attending the school - we ran back to the car in driving sleet (cold) - after that we drove around South Bend for awhile - we actually crossed Michigan border on IN-833 (old US-33?) - after showing them my old apartment and home, we drove back to the hotel room and waited out the rain for several hours - kids did homework - we ate at Culvers for dinner (1855), including some custard - kids were happy - weather had improved by this point, so we drove back to the campus again - we walked to the Grotto (lighting candles), and walked around Saint Mary's Lake for a short time - we later stopped by LaFortune and the Library for night time views of the campus - went back to hotel around 2200 - bed around 2330]

Spring Break Trip - Day 1

[Up at 0600 - finished packing - drove to Nicky's to get kids (0700) - they weren't ready a while... - switched cars with Nicky - picked up breakfast for kids at McDonalds (0745) - left Alexandria, using I-495, I-270 and I-70 - stopped for gas in Clearspring (MD) at 0915 before turning on to I-68 - snow in the mountains (!) - made it to Morgantown without much trouble (very cold, Nicky's car not warming up) - got on I-79 (south) to Clarksburg and then used US-50 to get to the Ohio River (Parkersburg) - after crossing into Ohio, changed to US-33 - made good time to Columbus, stopping for gas at Meijer in Canal Winchester (1410) - got on I-270 and drove around the west side of the city until switching back to US-33 and continuing west - stopped in Neil Armstrong's hometown (Wapakoneta) to explore briefly - got four blizzards to share at Dairy Queen (1630) before proceeding north on I-75 to Lima - Brenna used her phone to get me to drive them to the "Glee" high school (McKinley) - after following a complex series of GPS instructions, we finally arrived at a car dealership (hee hee) - they posted to social networks - I used some back roads to drive north to US-30, which we used to drive into Indiana - followed I-69 around Fort Wayne and then reconnected with US-30, all the way to Plymouth - turned north on (greatly improved since 1990s) US-31 and arrived in South Bend around 1945 - explored the area near the Notre Dame campus and looked for a hotel - finally found one near my old apartment in Mishawaka (a Courtyard) and checked in (2030) - ND-KY basketball game was just starting and the kids got some food at the hotel bistro and watched it for a while there - I got a beer and then relaxed in the room until they finished eating - when they arrived back in the room, we stayed up to watch the thrilling game until the Irish lost by two points :-( - read book until 2330 - bed]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked long day - met up with Kelly and Stephanie at Vie around 1700 - Kelly drove us to the River House for a party at Joe Russell's apartment - we (Sabrina, Kevin, Stephanie, Kelly, Tasha, Dave M., Joey, etc.) had lots of fun, including watching Kevin sprint to save his car from a tow truck - it started to rain around 2100, so I left and walked back to the Pentagon City Metro station - home around 2230 (and saw Bob!)]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked a long day and was going to go home - while talking to Stephanie on the way out, she mentioned that she had cooked a roast that we should try - took the Metro to Pentagon and then rode the bus to her apartment - picked up some beer in the store downstairs - enjoyed the food she made (turned out to be from cattle raised on her father's farm) - we later watched some mindless TV (Judge Judy, Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune) - Joey got home and we visited a bit longer - Stephanie drove me back to Pentagon City around 2000 and I headed home - bed around 2230]

Fairfax, VA (USA)

[Up at 0700 - the kids worked on homework for a few hours before we checked out of the hotel - we then drove to Fort Belvoir so I could work with Brenna on her driving (with my standard transmission car) - we dropped Mollie and Erin off at the Exchange and then practiced nearby - she did very well - then we all met up at the food court and ate lunch at Taco Bell (a big box of tacos) - we did some shopping, too (I got two new pairs of work shoes) - left the base and headed to St. Bernadette's (for Mollie's CCD - 1345) - on the way to drop Brenna off at Robinson again, we stopped at Pohick Library and picked up IRS Form 1040EZ for Erin so she could do her taxes (wow - all grown up!) - dropped Brenna off at the school (1430) and then turned right around to go get Mollie again at the church (whew: I've earned my chauffer hat this weekend!) - while waiting for Brenna to get done, the three of us walked around the campus of George Mason (nearby) - some sort of Greek Week was going on and the girls were fascinated - because Brenna's Science Fair awards ceremony appeared to be running long, I told Nicky we'd be late getting back - she seemed OK at first but then Erin and her started talking and emotions ran high - by the time Brenna came out of the school (with an award for Third Place in Bio-Chemistry!), Nicky was on her way to get Erin - it turned out to be a waste of time, though, since we were driving back already by the time she arrived - in fact, I dropped off all three kids without her being at her house... - went back to my apartment and took care of some paperwork for a while before ending the night on the phone with Nicky again (exhausting) - weekend did go well, though - kids and I are getting used to the routine, fortunately... - bed late (2345)]

Chantilly, VA (USA)

[up at 0630 so I could drive Brenna to Fairfax again (Robinson Secondary School) - spent some time with her and got information about the entire event - headed to a nearby Jiffy Lube for an oil change - then drove to Chantilly to get help from the DMV (address change, tag renewal) - next, headed north to Dulles Town Center, looking to spend Carolyn's Christmas gift (card) - finally located Eastern Mountain Sports (a bit south of the mall) - got some great help from the staff there and picked up a new overnight backpack, poly-blend pants, emergency gear (fire starter, backup phone battery, water purification kit) - picked up lunch at Burger King - was waiting for Brenna to be finished but she was delayed - so I headed back towards the hotel - picked up Erin and Mollie and then took Erin to babysitting - Brenna got a ride back to the hotel from a friend - Mollie and I stopped by my apartment to get items, then post office, gas station - picked up Brenna and headed over to get lunch at Popeye's - drove to Mason Neck and went hiking on the NWR nature trail - dogs following us - back to car - drove back to Alexandria (saw a scary pedestrian accident on the way) - to Mass at St. Lawrence Catholic Church (Erin got dropped off by the family she babysat for) - afterwards, we went to dinner at Red Hot & Blue (BBQ) - my dad called and everyone talked to him - we stopped at Barnes & Noble on the way back to our hotel - watched movies and basketball (March Madness) in the room - also read more of my book - bed around 2300]

Fairfax, VA (USA)

[dental cleaning in the morning - got to work "late" - stayed until around 1600 - drove over to Extended Stay America in Springfield - Nicky was late with the kids (grrrr...) - right after they arrived, found out we had to drive to Fairfax (Robinson Secondary School) so Brenna could register for the Fairfax County Public Schools Science Fair (an all weekend event) - thank goodness for GPS and the few extra minutes Nicky left me... - with some difficulty (missing group registration), got everything set up (1930) - drove back via Braddock Road (easier) - stopped for dinner at La Madeleine (French Restaurant) at 2000 - kids enjoyed that and we had a great conversation - drove back to the hotel (2100) - watched TV and read books - bed around 2330]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[worked a really long day (lots of things to catch up on after returning from my hiking trip...) - met up with Kelly and Stephanie at Vie after my meeting - headed back to work for a bit - when finished, Kelly drove us to Chevy's for $3 margaritas - stayed there awhile but didn't buy dinner - too Metro home late (2130)]

Pine Grove, PA (USA)

[slept late (0745) - left the hotel around 0830 and drove west on PA-443 until I reached the AT trailhead at the intersection of PA-72 & PA-443 - Lucky (St. Patty's Day) me: it was in the low 50s - short-sleeve weather again! Headed out, thinking I was going NOBO - but soon realized I was headed in the opposite direction! No matter - the snow was almost all gone for most of the hike and I made great time up to the ridge. There was actually still some snow and ice up there and I decided to turn around at Rausch Shelter. Most of the day was spent in Swatara State Park - on the way back, I used the road to cut off the last section to reach my car - had planned to hike over to I-81 but there was too much snow in that direction - so I called it a day - I'd actually had enough for the long weekend. It felt really good to be out in the pleasant weather. I saw no people all day. With the backtrack and misdirection, I logged almost 11 miles. I look forward to coming back to this area again soon - in shorts! - got a gas fillup at Jonestown (1300) - drove back to Alexandria via I-81, I-83, PA-581, US-15, I-270 and I-495 - what a good trip! - AT Today = 4.72 miles / G.T. AT = 378.0 miles]

Sackets Harbor, NY (USA)

[up around 0800 - drove out of Saranac Lake to Tupper Lake and then north to Potsdam - lots more snow (pretty trees) and ice - saw deer - arrived around 0900 and then walked around town - met up with Eileen at 1100 and spent time with her at her house - had a great lunch at Between the Buns (1315) - visited with her (and her dog, Juneau) at her house for a while longer - left Potsdam around 1415 - drove west on US-11 to I-81 - got gas south of Watertown (1545) - drove to nearby Sackets Harbor - spent about an hour walking in town and at the (War of 1812) Battlefield - then drove down the coast of Lake Ontario on NY-3 - eventually got back on I-81, and used it to get all the way to Pine Grove (PA) - it was raining by the time I stopped - found a good hotel coupon on the internet and got a room for the night at the Econo Lodge - stayed up late taking care of emails and reading (2359)]

Dalton, MA (USA)

Up at 0730. It was a nicer morning, so I headed east to the NY-CT border (near Wingdale). Found a parking spot on NY/CT-55 (Riverview Rd / Wetabuck Rd) and headed SOBO. It was pretty tough going: deep, wet snow but I was able to get to the Wiley Shelter, where I encountered some hard-core hikers who had spent the night there. After chatting with them for a bit, I turned around and walked back on Duell Hollow Road until I could turn NOBO towards the Ten Mile Shelter. Seemed like I would be OK (there were areas with no snow) but when I reached the ridge, I ended up with about half a mile of knee-deep snow. Didn't want to do it, but I turned around at the top of the hill. Seemed easier going down - funny part was when I encountered a snow-shoer at the bottom and he was giving up... Finished the section and (briefly) celebrated that I've now hiked in all 14 states along the AT! It was early, but I was wet and cold. Decided to try easier (i.e., no snow) sections to the north (off US-7). Before it got dark, I was able to hike near Falls Village and Salisbury (both CT) and then through South Egremont and Dalton (both MA). Almost got stuck in the mud at one of my stops - could have been a big problem... "Lunch" was a Stop & Shop in North Canaan (1300). Crossed the Housatonic River several times and found a monument to Shay's Rebellion. Snow was falling intermittently but I kept going - trying to get the most out of the time off from work. It took all day (and a lot of driving) to piece together around 13 miles of walking - but it was definitely worth the effort. Despite this good feeling, I decided I'd had enough of snow hiking on the AT and headed west (into ADK)... Got gas in Pittsfield (1800) and then used US-20 to get to I-87. Drove all the way to the High Peaks area (NY-73). Switched to NY-86 and bypassed Lake Placid on the Old Military Road. Eventually stopped for the night in Saranac Lake (Sara Placid Motor Inn - 2115)]. It was snowy and cold again and I was happy to be indoors. Read a bit before falling asleep (2300). AT miles today = 5.45 / Grand Total AT = 373.28 miles.

Hyde Park, NY (USA)

[up at 0630 but took my time getting ready because it was raining - left hotel and drove north on NY-17 - tried to find a place for breakfast, exploring area near US-6 and I-87 - finally ate at Dunkin Donuts (0930) - got on US-6E and drove to Bear Mountain - The rain started early and never let up all day... Didn't let it keep me down, though! Found a section of trail near the Hudson River that was mostly paved. Parked in Fort Montgomery and walked to the trailhead. Hiked NOBO across the river on the Bear Mountain Bridge (US-6) and continued onto NY-9D. It was too wet to climb the hill when I reached the unpaved trail again, so I turned back and re-crossed the ice-covered river. Continued south into a little zoo within the state park. Highlight was seeing two black bears (caged, of course), right next to the trail! The bears' den was noted as the lowest point of elevation on the AT. Later, I turned back at the south end of Hessian Lake. Despite only completing a short section today, I still managed to log around 5 miles of walking before getting back to my car. After finishing, I crossed river (toll) and used NY-9D to drive up to Newburgh - switched to US-9 and drove all the way to Hyde Park - stopped to visit FDR National Monument and then drove a bit farther north to see Vanderbilt Mansion - then drove back to Poughkeepsie - used NY-55, continuing east toward the area where the AT goes - stopped for dinner at China Wok (Lagrangeville, NY) at 1700 - continued until merging with NY-22 - stopped for the night at the Dutchess Motel near Wingdale (NY) - had to coordinate all of the arrangements by cell phone because the owner was on vacation, but still got a room - watched TV and read a bit before bed (2300) - AT Today = 1.60 miles / Grand Total on AT = 367.83 miles]

Colesville, NJ (USA)

[up around 0700 - packed and drove north from Hazleton to I-84 and then headed eastbound - stopped for gas at Milford (PA) at 0915 - then got off the interstate at Port Jervis - facebook - After acclimating all winter to the cold hiking days, the prospect of 50 (F) degree weather drove me to the north. I managed to get out of DC late last night and stopped to sleep in Hazleton. It was only a short drive to Port Jervis and a little farther to the AT trailhead on NJ-23 (near highest elevation in New Jersey). The day (SOBO after using High Point State Park approach trail) started out pretty easy: cool/clear weather and tightly packed snow made for good pace. Saw tremendous views (including the Catskills, miles north) and no people. As the day wore on, however, several obstacles surfaced: treacherous (icy) rock faces to climb, gradually melting surfaces (allowed me sink into the 12-18 inch drifts), hidden creeks under the snow, many criss-crossing trails (disoriented me) and widely spaced blazes (made the AT hard to follow). By the time I reached the Deckertown Turnpike, I was completely convinced I should walk back on the road. Back at my car, I decided to reposition to the east on the NY-NJ border (near Unionville). Hiked a few more miles in the Wallkill Reserve (NOBO from State Line Road). By this point, it was so slushy and muddy that I had to walk very slowly. In the last half mile (before reaching Liberty Corners Road), I nearly hurt myself several times on a plank walkway that crossed a marshy area. Glad to be finished, so I walked back on the road again. Completed 16+ miles for all the effort! Drove east to scout out the AT near Warwick and Greenwood Lake before stopping for the night at the Tuxedo Motel in Southfields (NY). Worked on taxes and updated software until around 2200. AT today = 7.64 miles / G.T. AT = 366.23 miles.]

Hazleton, PA (USA)

[drove to work very early - escaped from the office after a full day (1800) - found the city streets clobbered and it was a nightmare of traffic to get to Memorial Bridge - got across the Potomac and got on George Washington Parkway - phone calls and more traffic jams - finally got on I-495 - then used I-270 and US-15 (traffic improving by then) - all the way to I-81 (through town) - more phone calls - continued to Hazleton (PA) - used Can Do Parkway to get into town - found Hazleton Motor Lodge around 2230 - as I was parking, people stuck in the parking lot asked me for a jump start (happy to help - again) - reading, bed late (2330)]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[experienced Metro commutes from hell (morning and night!) - around 1800, after I had tried nearly everything to get home, I got off at Pentagon to switch trains - ran into Joey! - we both decided we needed a drink (and NOW!) - we took the bus over to Red Rocks - had a nice time at happy hour (and dinner) - felt better after escaping the metro gridlock... - afterwards, we walked back to his apartment (close by) - he then drove me to my car at the Metro station - home late (2230)]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[up early (0630) even with the time change - still smarting from my icy fall yesterday - kids studied for the entire morning at the house - drove Mollie to CCD and tried to go walking with twins - back to get Mollie - then drove over to Jones Point for a nature walk - then stopped at Marine Corps Monument for pictures with girls - took them home - drove to pick up Stephanie (1700) and then went walking in the LBJ Grove and (later) all the way around the Pentagon - had dinner with her at P. Brennan's Irish Pub - finished around 2015 - dropped her off and then went home via Giant (2045) - laundry, clean up - bed late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[worked a full day - we had farewell lunch for Nouri at Vapiano in Chinatown ("customizable" Italian food) - after finishing my day, went to Chevy's for $3 margaritas with Stephanie - home late (2230)]

Duncannon, PA (USA)

[Started off on the trail around 0645 after another good night at The Doyle. A light snow was already falling and the temps were in the teens again. Siren went off again while I was hiking - wondered if it was for volunteer fire department... I started up Cove Mountain to link up with another section I'd hiked about a month ago. The trail was steep and slippery but I made good time to the top. After admiring the view of the valley below through the falling snowflakes, I continued SOBO to find the place where I'd turned around before. Unfortunately, the trail looked much different than the last time (more snow). As a result, I hiked for another mile before I was certain I'd passed the place (of course, I eventually found it around 50 yards from the overlook - oh well...). Headed back down into town (or, more accurately, slid on my backside). My outbound footprints were actually gone by then - filled in with snow. Saw a reflection of myself in a store window - covered in snow... It was a short day (around 6 miles) but I've now hiked a continuous section between Mary's Rock and PA-225 (215.2 miles!). - ice storm on the way home - stopped at Fort Detrick in Frederick to pick up adult beverages (1145) - What a great weekend! Today's AT Total = 2.00 miles / Grand Total = 358.59 miles.]