Philadelphia, PA (USA)

[had won the ND Ticket Lottery (back in the spring) for the ND-Temple game - who knew it would pit a 6-1 Irish team against a 7-0 Owl team! - spent the day with Mollie (she got up late and then did homework) - after I dropped her off at her mother's house (1415), I headed towards Philadelphia (via I-495, US-50 & Bay Bridge at 1500), US-301 to US-40) - got gas near Glasgow, DE (1620) - used DE-1 to get to I-95 and continued all the way to the Philadelphia Sports Complex (exit 17) - traffic was already pretty bad near the parking lots so I tried to park on the Navy Yard property - the guard warned me that they would secure the gates before the game ended, so I went back to trying the main lots - I found a place to park near the baseball stadium (all four sports play in this area) at 1730 - I spent around an hour exploring the Xfinity Entertainment Zone (bars, restaurants) and tailgate areas - had one Leinenkugel (pumpkin flavored) - my buddy, Dan, had said he might meet up with me but it didn't work out - after weeks of trying to get someone to go to the game with me, I had an extra ticket left - I was able to sell it for almost the cost of what I paid (didn't enjoy that process but it worked out OK) - afterwards, I went inside Lincoln Financial Field and had another beer and a hotdog - I enjoyed talking to the vendors and seat checkers because it wasn't too busy - learned a lot about activities at the field, including that they may continue an annual Cheesesteak Festival in October in the future! - my seats were very high up in one of the endzones (directly opposite from the Temple student section) - the game started around 2000 and it was close - I enjoyed the entertainment during the TV breaks and met a few people around me (mix of ND and Temple fans) - no one ever came to sit in (my) seat next to me... - stayed until the end of the third quarter and then made my way back to the car (2245) - there were already a lot of drunk people all over the parking lots (funny conversations with them) - parking lot exit was a maze and lots of roads were closed - but I found I-95 (south) - drive back was pretty uneventful and I listened to the end of the game (Irish win: 24-20!) on the radio - I traced back to US-301 (just before toll plaza in DE) and saw almost no traffic - still driving at midnight...]

Fairfax, VA (USA)

[I had to take care of legal stuff at Fairfax Judicial Center (0830), so I used the Fairfax County Parkway and VA-123 to get there (lots of traffic and the steady rain didn't make things easier...) - made it to the courthouse with barely enough time to get inside - I actually had to run after I located the parking garage - I wasn't late, fortunately, and we were done in around 30 minutes - I explored a bit longer so I would be ready if I have to do this again - driving home took less time - worked from my apartment for the rest of the day]

Mason Neck, VA (USA)

[after a very slow day of working on business issues at home, I drove to Mason Neck around 1700 and tried out the new mountain bike trails (on foot) - I ended up finding Old Colchester and came back to Gunston Road via a the road (from the south) - it was a maze!]

Waynesboro, VA (USA)

[Turning my attention south, now... Wasn't sure I was hiking AT today so left late. Got gas before leaving (0845) and headed out on I-495, I-66, US-29. Stopped for lunch at Chick-fil-A (mobbed again) in Charlottesville at 1100 and then continued (via I-64 and the Blue Ridge Parkway) to the trailhead at Reids (or Reeds - it was spelled differently in several places) Gap by around noon. All the parking lots were packed - it was peak foliage season! First hiked SOBO, climbing all the way, until I reached the summit of Three Ridges Mountain (3984'). On the way, I passed scores of campers and passed day hikers who apparently didn't know that the trail in this area was a mini-rollercoaster. I met more than a few families who seemed to have decided they needed to turn around before reaching the last ridge - what a shame... Reversed direction and, passing my car, hiked all the way to Dripping Rock (where Mollie and I hiked almost two months ago). I passed a family in this section who told me to watch out for a "big black bear" - for the rest of the hike, I kept my head on a swivel. Luckily, I didn't see him... When I arrived at Ol' Reliable (mountain bike), which I'd left along the trail so I could ride back on BRP to my car, it was nearly dark. But I made it back to the car without difficulty, finishing off the day with around 14.5 miles of hiking and around 4 miles of biking at around 6:30 PM. Will have to climb this peak from the other side next time - looking forward to it! Wanted to stay for another day but the hotels were all booked. So I headed home (via I-64, US-29 - got gas in Gainesville at 2030 - I-66 and I-495), arriving home at around 2100. AT Today = 9.46 miles / G.T. = 547.9 miles]

Rockville, MD (USA)

[drove to Rockville for work (left my house at 0615) - walked to Rio and made it back before meetings began at LM campus (0800) - fire drill - met up with Ray, Tri and Bill - later ate lunch at LJ's cafe (1205) with Bill - afterwards (1500), paid a visit to Pat - we visited with each other and she cooked a really good chicken dinner - I actually didn't leave until 1900 - fortunately, traffic was OK on the way back - Brenna studying at my apartment when I arrived (2000), so I spent time with her :-)]

Palmerton, PA (USA)

[Finished PA today! I was up before 0500 but the sub-freezing temps delayed my departure. Got breakfast (McDonalds in Hometown - 0725) and then retraced last night's drive (Tamaqua to Palmerton). I was parked at the Superfund Trailhead by 8:00 and I trekked NOBO to where I turned around last night. It was brisk but the sun was shining brightly and it was great hiking weather! I backtracked to PA-248 and crossed the Lehigh River so I could climb back up on the opposite ridge. The grade was 1000 feet per... mile, so I took frequent breaks. Had a great conversation with two guys at the shelter about halfway up the hill before I continued to the top. There were lots of people camping overnight and the smell of cannabis was quite strong near a few of the sites. Almost nothing delayed me on this last segment and I turned around at Lehigh Furnace. It was great to accomplish my goal for the weekend and I quickly returned the way I'd come. There were lots of deer out today and a few day hikers. I stopped to talk to Critter/Deja(Through) for a bit - she was on her third AT through hike (but first one SOBO). I had actually greeted her by her campfire last night (in the dark, near Little Gap Road) and perhaps I will see her again in Virginia over the next few months... Three day hikers I met near the woodpecker trail warned me about a copperhead snake on the trail but I didn't see it, fortunately. I finished at 1300 (after a little more than 12 mile) and immediately headed for home. It started raining soon afterwards (lucky I stayed dry on the trail!). As a result of the deteriorating weather and lots of construction, it took me 4.5 hours to get back to my apartment (used back roads - without a map - but found PA-143 and then got on I-78). I got gas in Shartlesville at 1410, then used I-81, I-83, PA-581, US-15, I-270, I-495 - messy... Oh well - last drive for AT in PA! AT Today = 5.80 miles / G.T. AT = 538.44 miles]

Palmerton, PA (USA)

[Didn't get on the road early today, but it was for a good reason: dinner last night and brunch today with the kids. After getting gas in Thurmont (MD) at 1255, I made good time (via I-495, I-270, US-15, PA-581, I-83, I-81, I-78, PA-145 through Allentown and side roads without a map!) to the trailhead on Little Gap Road (near Danielsville, PA). At 1545, I headed SOBO on a gravel road that led me into the Palmerton Zinc Pile Superfund Site (on the ridge east of the Lehigh River). After about half a mile, I realized that I was not on the AT (no blazes). However, I decided to keep going to maximize the distance before my... backtrack. In the waning daylight, I learned a lot about the restoration process for land that was significantly affected by over 80 years of mining. Signs of improvement could be seen (trees) and I enjoyed the rock and root free trail. I spotted a drone (perhaps monitoring the property?). The wind picked up as the sun got lower in the sky and I was glad to have brought my warmer clothes. The only people I encountered today appeared to be locals in nature walks... My hiking goal was the western end of the ridge (where there was 1000 foot drop to PA-248). After I found the AT at the end of the service road (required some bushwhacking), I hit the target. I even hiked about halfway down the sheer rock face before turning around (to save time tomorrow). The climb back up was steep (about as precarious as Katahdin) and I noticed there was an equally challenging ridge on the other side of the valley... It got progressively darker, especially after I followed the AT on the way back (through brightly colored leaves and rolling, grass covered terrain). I found a sign that said the AT had been temporarily rerouted, so I guess I covered all bases... After the sun set, I put on my head lamp (thanks girls!) and finished the last several miles (for a total of about 9.5 miles) in the dark - it was a much slower pace. It got much colder (could see my breath) and I was surprised to see people camping out for the night. The views into the valley were tremendous and I saw the Blue Mountain Ski area lit up like a beacon to help me find my car. I finished around 1945 and had to drive nearly 30 miles (via PA-248, PA-895, PA-309) to find a place to stay (Pines Motel, north of Tamaqua - 2030). Hope to finish the PA portion of the AT tomorrow (less than 6 miles left)... AT Today = 4.50 miles / Grand Total AT = 532.64 miles]

Mason Neck, VA (USA)

I spent the day relaxing at my apartment with Mollie. After she left, I picked up my drycleaning (1715) and then headed over to Mason Neck for a walk in the Wildlife Refuge. There were some cars in the parking lot but I never saw any people during the nearly two hours I spent walking the trails. What I did get to see, though, was lots of wildlife. Two bald eagles left a tree above me when I walked by, making a loud noise - it was so great (and unexpected) to see them up close. Later, I watched thousands of birds flying over the marsh in huge flocks, making so much noise and barely settling in the trees or water. A grey heron flew through the wild crowd and settled on a tree across the water from me. Later, I startled two white tailed deer on the trail and they ran away with a loud noise. But I encountered them again later (with the same result). When I finished walking (probably around three miles total), it was nearly dark. On the way home, I figured out that there is a new parking lot for another wildlife area with two miles of mountain bike trails - will have to check that out! I love having this remote area near the house. I watched football with Bob and his mom later in the evening.

Washington, DC (USA)

[got Mollie and Katie up for her mom to pick her up (0800) - after breakfast, Mollie and I got ready and went to Mass (Fort Belvoir) - we returned home and ate lunch at my apartment - after that (1200), we drove into DC (parking near my old office) and walked from L'Enfant to Gallery Place (through the "Taste of DC"), took the Red Line to Woodley Park Metro Station and then walked down Connecticut Avenue to the National Zoo - we saw the panda outside (rare treat), the tigers and lions, watched the seals being fed and getting a checkup - despite our many visits to this place, we still managed to find some new things (e.g., aviary) - we walked a lot and saw a ton of great things (as usual) - we left around 1600 and retraced our steps to the car - we wanted some gelato but the prices were outrageous - as we crossed the mall, we had to navigate huge crowds (for the nice weather and leftover mess from the previous day's 20th Anniversary of the Million Man March, plus "Justice or Else" rally) - but we didn't have any trouble getting out of the city in my car, fortunately - drove home via Wegmans, where we picked up sushi (Spicy Alaskan Salmon and Chicken Tempura) for dinner (1725) - we watched a movie ("Wild Hearts Can't be Broken") - bed at 2230]

Williamsburg, VA (USA)

[up early (0600) - breakfast - gas fill-up (0700) - picked up Brenna and then we got Mollie's friend Katie - we then drove to Williamsburg (via I-95, I-295 and I-64) - nearly saw a major accident on the way (jeep nearly took out a group of motorcyclists) we arrived at Busch Gardens at 0915 and got the good parking (up close), in case it rained - it had been over seven years since I was in the park - there were a lot of changes - we immediately started on the roller coasters, riding the Loch Ness Monster and Alpengeist (twice) with no lines - we also checked out Verbolten (new ride) and it was good - it was sprinkling but never really started raining hard - we continued exploring for a few hours before there was almost anyone in the park - several of our favorite rides were closed (Pompeii, Log Flume, etc.) - Mollie didn't like the roller coasters much, so Brenna and Katie went on several while I spent time with her exploring the Jack Hanna preserve (wolves, eagles, etc.) - we all met up again and had lunch at Ristorante Della Piazza (1145) - after that, we went to one of the Halloween shows ("Fiends") - it was ridiculously baudy and rather adult but we stayed dry - later, Brenna and Katie went on a few more rides - Mollie and I saw "More Pet Shenanigans" (hasn't changed in all these years) and we visited with the trainers afterwards - Brenna and I got some food from the car (picnic) and then returned to meet up with Katie and Mollie - we rode some more rides in Festa Italia (everyone's favorite) and Brenna and I rode the train - then we all headed to New France for the start of Howl-o-Scream - there were demons, pirates, a Wendigo, vampires and rippers this time (the clowns were gone) - Brenna was genuinely scared of all the cast members but we did get some information about how to avoid being chased - Katie and Mollie didn't seem to be phased at all and the even went in one of the haunted houses (Cornered) - Brenna and I rode the Carousel and then watched a show in the Festhaus ("Night Beats") while eating some deserts (mmmm) - when we finally found Mollie and Katie again (1945), we walked to the exit (navigating more scary people) - we left park at 2000 and drove home (via I-64, I-295 and I-95) - there was only a little traffic - we dropped Brenna off at 2230 - Katie and Mollie had a sleepover (I heard them whispering until really late!)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[left work around 1600 and walked to L'Enfant - saw on the marquee that the Yellow and Blue line were single tracking but felt good when I got on the one Yellow Line ("Franconia Springfield) that came by - however, the train ended up at Waterfront Station (wrong way - but why?) - I stuck with the train until it made it to Anacostia Station and changed to a Green Line (thanks, WMATA) - tried to get a cab with two other strangers I met - however, the station master told us not to exit the station (for our safety) - we took the next Green back to Navy Yard and I caught a taxi cab with another guy (Jim) on South Capital - the other Jim used the Waze App to cross the river and avoid the traffic on I-295 for as long as possible - still, the cabbie nearly killed us a few times as we headed towards the Wilson Bridge - I finally got into my car at Huntington around 1730 (what a crappy commute!) - drove to pick up Mollie - we went to dinner at Ledo Pizza for a fundraiser being held for Mollie's school - we finished at 1830 and I dropped her off at home]

Bensville, MD (USA)

[Mollie and I finished another section (about 8 miles) of the Indian Head Rail Trail again, despite the cool, overcast day. We started at Bensville Road and worked our way back to the 5 mile marker in Indian Head. We got chased (and I mean CHASED) by a flock of angry turkeys - funny, it isn't even November yet. Only one small section near White Plains left until we are done! - gas fillup (1400) - Burger King for lunch in Bryans Road MD (1500) - after Mollie got picked up, I drove over to Total Wine & More (1745) to use the housewarming gift card from Greta]