Alexandria, VA (USA)

[The girls slept late (it was a rainy day). I made breakfast (breakfast burritos, orange slices). We went to 1215 Mass (St. Raymond of Penafort) on Pohick Road. Afterwards, we returned to my apartment and the kids ate lunch (leftovers). Brenna wanted to do some more school work, so Mollie and I went to the movies ("The Good Dinosaur"). We came back and got Brenna so we could all go shopping for “girl essentials” (hair products, toiletries) that were lacking in my place. Before they left, we cleaned up the apartment. After they went home, Brenna texted me to say she had a nice time. It was a great Thanksgiving week!]

Washington, DC (USA)

[Brenna slept late. I made breakfast for her (scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, apple, loaded mashed potatoes) and we ate together. Brenna unloaded the dishwasher and cleaned up a bit. Meanwhile, I drove to Woodbridge to pick up Mollie (around 1100). I visited with Kelly and her kids for a while before Mollie and I left. Back at the house, I made Mollie some lunch (ground beef soft tacos, sliced apple). Mollie loaded the dishwasher and Brenna worked on college essays. Mollie and I watched Christmas specials on TV. Later in the afternoon, Brenna asked to go home so she could work on college applications. Mollie and I tinkered around in the house for the rest of the afternoon. After a few hours, though, she asked me to come get her so we could go to Zoo Lights at the National Zoo. I quickly got ready and we picked her up a little later (1630). On the way to the Metro, she complained that her mom bought Erin all kinds of things on Black Friday but nothing for her. After charging their fare cards, we all took the Metro (yellow & red lines) to Woodley Park. We got drinks at McDonalds and then walked to the National Zoo. This was Brenna's first time at this event and she really liked it. It sprinkled a bit, but I'd brought an umbrella and the kids both had brought cold weather coats I lent them (they don't have their own for some reason). We stayed for hours and then walked back to the Metro. On the way home, we got off at Gallery Place and walked over to Cuba Libre (because Brenna wanted "Mexican" food and it was the closest place I knew). We briefly watched street music performers on the way. We had no problem getting a table (2000). Our dinner was empanadas, rice, Cuban black beans, Cuban bread, Cuban sandwich. Everyone was happy… The Wizards game let out as we were finishing dinner (2145) so we walked to Archives and caught a Metro home (both kids resting sleepy heads on shoulders). We arrived home around 2230. I heard lots of giggling coming from shared bedroom. I watched (iPhone) the end of ND-Stanford game (Irish lost) and went to bed very late.]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[I made breakfast for the kids (cereal, bagels, leftovers). Brenna spent the morning working on college applications while Mollie watched YouTube videos. Lunch was leftovers. Around 1300, Brenna asked me to take her to Springfield Mall because she'd heard that Erin and Nicky had found good things there on “Black Friday.” I left Mollie at home and drove Brenna to go shopping. We walked all over the Mall, looking for deals, but didn't buy anything. We had a nice talk about me being in her life and our future relationship. She asked lots of questions about Christmas traveling, next Thanksgiving (possibly with the Morans) and decorating my house for Christmas. We got home around 1500. My friend, Kelly, had told me about a tree lighting in Woodbridge and she said that it started at 1820. I was able to convince Brenna to go by telling her to bring her laptop. All of us went to the Stonebridge shopping center around 1715 and met up with Kelly and her Uncle Jeff at Firebirds. We ended up having to move across the street to Not Your Average Joe's and got a table right next to the huge Christmas tree. We had drinks and appetizers until Kelly’s husband, Jason, arrived with their kids, Emma and Aidan. Everyone had a great time watching the festivities (dancing gnomes, sparkly light wands, music and crowds). I even got to see Brenna and Mollie playing a hand slap game together... The tree lighting didn't work out well (there was a big countdown to no lights came on) but they eventually got part of it lit (it looked like layer cake) and then the rest by the end. After it was over, we drove over to Kelly's and (after I carved the leftover turkey) she made an amazing dish she called "Turkey Spaghetti". The kids played the game of "Life" and the adults watched football. Emma wanted Mollie to stay overnight, so Brenna and I left at around 2200. We had another good talk on the way home. Before she went to bed, she worked more on her essays.]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[Everyone slept in until around 0900. Mollie made breakfast (sausage and cheese balls) and we watched the Macy’s Parade. Brenna did homework. After she woke up, Erin decided that she wanted to leave go home to be with her mother. Brenna and Mollie and I watched the dog show on TV. After that, we were cooking for hours. Brenna learned a lot of new things (she said she never gets to cook at home). We made loaded potato casserole, stuffing balls, Panera mac & cheese, pumpkin pie, turkey breast (cryovac), Black Forest ham. Mollie and I returned the Redbox movie and went walking in Huntley Meadows. We talked a lot - the weather was beautiful and there were lots of birds to watch. Back at the apartment, we watched "Guardians of the Galaxy". We later set the table for Bob to visit for Thanksgiving dinner. He arrived around 1915 and we ate a great big meal. The kids were proud of their creations. I spent a while afterwards with cleanup. For the rest of the evening, we played a game that Bob brought (Munchkins). We all had fun and Brenna won. After he left, we watched the rest of movie and went to bed late.]

Chantilly, VA (USA)

[slept late - lunch at Matsui Sushi Restaurant (1200) - drove to Dulles Town Center to shop at Eastern Mountain Sports (gift certificate) - then went shopping at Target (for new sheets, comforter and a vacuum for my apartment) - when I got back to apartment, I watched movies - after it got dark, I walked to Giant for groceries - ate dinner at McDonalds]

Washington, DC (USA)

[I worked from home in the morning - got a haircut - took Metro to Navy Memorial - met up with Kelly, Sabrina and Monica at Plan B - we moved to Hill Country Barbecue Market (finished at 1730) - Frank and Stephanie joined us there - later, we went to Penn Social and played games - we took an Uber to Adams Morgan and had drinks at Madam's Organ (finished at 2130) - I distinctly remember having trouble doing math by this point... - eventually, we found ourselves at the Bukom Cafe (Ethiopian Restaurant) for more drinks and dancing to reggae music - when that place started to get slow, we moved over to a have jumbo slices at Pizza Boli (around 0045) - we took an Uber back to Old Town (everyone else was completely lost, so I had to be the navigator) - after we dropped off Kelly and Sabrina, Monica and I caught the Metro at King Street - I drove Monica home - back at my house at 0200]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[I got a text from Joey (when I was lounging around at my apartment), inviting me to a brunch with our regular happy hour group - I drove to Old Town and met everyone at O'Connell's Pub - we had lots of mimosas - I spent several hours there - in the end, I drove Emma and Aidan home and had dinner with them and Kelly at their house - drove home around 2100]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - lunch at Bonchon with Eric (1200) - worked for several more hours - went to Cuba Libre in Chinatown for one of the many November birthday parties for our friends - stayed until 2030 - walked back to Archives - home around 2145]

Manassas, VA (USA)

It was Vets Day & fee-free, so I headed to SNP again to chip away at the roughly 50 miles I had left on AT in the park. Hit the road at 0700, parked my car at around 0900 (near Skyland Resort) and biked south on Skyline Drive. I was in the vicinity of the highest point in the park, so the ride was tough. In fact, I had several "bail out" stops selected so I could ditch Ol' Reliable and use my feet instead. But I didn't need any of them! Instead, I started hiking from Milam Gap (beyond my goal) by 1015... I didn't see any people for a long time as I headed NOBO - but there were plenty of (completely unafraid) deer. I passed a pretty cemetery, the Big Meadows Lodge and got some amazing views of the Shenandoah Valley below. All the leaves were off the trees, so I could see for miles (pictures don't do the scenery justice)! I could even see where I needed to go (across valleys and ridges) all day long but, strangely, I never crossed Skyline Drive. Just like over the weekend, I was bundled up warm when I started but was in short sleeves about an hour into the hike. This led to a rather funny encounter with two tourists at an overlook above me - I guess I photobombed their selfie (aimed down into the valley). I don't think they expected to see anyone at all and certainly not a person without the winter gear they were wearing. They pointed and laughed in my direction. So I waved happily at them until they ran back to their car... Soon after, I started to encounter more day hikers. I had a nice chat with a couple staying in a campground I passed - they warned me to watch out not to fall down the steep embankments... Mostly, though, I was alone as I trudged through mud and a limitless swath of fallen leaves. I also had to contend with some strong wind in a few places. But I made good time back to my car. By then, I only had a few miles left on Stony Man & Little Stony Man (to meet up with the last section I did in the area). Unfortunately, I only had about two hours before the NPS planned to close Skyline Drive (supposedly at 1700). The choice was between hiking over the mountains in both directions or using the road on the way back (it would be an extra 2 miles). I elected the first strategy and powered through... I haven't felt so good on hills since when I could still run the Bass River Golf Course XC course! Though I really didn't have time to enjoy it, I found probably the most beautiful vista I've seen in Virginia yet at the top. Ultimately, I made it back to my car, drove south again, retrieved my bike and exited at Swift Run - with 30 minutes to spare. I headed back towards DC and stopped to eat dinner at Golden Corral (free) in Manassas (arrived at 1800, got to my seat by 1845). It was community seating for Vets and I met some great people, including one couple who just celebrated their 55th anniversary. I was stuffed and physically exhausted by the time I got home. All told, I ended up biking 12 miles and hiking almost 14 miles. Part of the mountain climbing was backtrack and I had to subtract about a mile I hiked in the same area back in 1992, when I first imagined that finishing AT was possible... No matter how long the delay from concept to execution, I'm doing it now! AT Today = 11.10 miles / Grand Total AT = 574.50 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - Bar Louie with Kathy and Atousa (Sabrina bailed) - stayed until 1830]

Milam Gap, VA (USA)

The day started with temps in the high 30s. I reached the trailhead at 0700. The sun might have risen in the east, but ridges in that direction screened it from view. I saw deer finishing late night snacks in distant fields but didn't see any people in the misty light of dawn. I was initially wearing layers but shed them as I got warmer. I didn't encounter other hikers while SOBO towards Calf Mountain Shelter and was actually startled when a camper stumbled out of the brush as I arrived. He said there were plenty of people who spent the night in the woods with him. A faster hiker passed me when I turned NOBO and I tried to keep up with him for awhile (unsuccessfully). But when I reached Skyline Drive, I used to road to backtrack to the parking lot. This shortcut allowed me to pass him (I wonder what he was thinking when he caught me a few miles later). I made my way even farther North, passing lots of day hikers, all enjoying the cool, clear day. I was laughing inside to see them bundled up with hats, mittens, heavy jackets. More than one commented on my short sleeves... ?? The wildlife I saw included a few deer, birds, squirrels, chipmunks - and a beautiful blue-colored hawk, who landed on a tree next to me. When I reached the road at my planned turnaround (Rip Rap Trail parking area), I used it again to get back to my car. Someone driving by actually offered me a ride but I passed it up for the exercise. As a result, my day consisted of almost 19 miles - and it felt good!!! I was done at about 2:15 and headed back towards NoVA, departing SNP at Swift Run. Stopped for gas in Bealeton (1515). Later, had to weather nasty traffic on I-66 to get home - the only lowlight of an otherwise great weekend! AT Today = 9.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 563.40 miles

Waynesboro, VA (USA)

Early start today - left my apartment at 0515 and drove south (via I-495, I-66, US-29 and I-64) - stopped to check for lodging in Waynesboro (to avoid repeat of last hiking weekend) about 2.5 hours later. It took longer to get to the AT Trailhead because it was out in the middle of nowhere... I used the BRP and saw great views of the wilderness below. Changed to VA-56 (Crabtree Highway) and stopped for gas at Montebello Camp & Fish Store (0855). I then made my way (carefully) on a rather unsettling road through the mountains. After I parked (0900), I crossed the Tye River on what the locals called a "swinging bridge" and continued NOBO up Three Ridges Mountain. It had started to rain and fog covered the hills in every direction. I hiked more than five miles before I saw anyone (all SOBO & wet). By that point, I thought was nearing the end of my 3000 foot climb but got a surprise after reaching a Tolkien-like citadel of towering rocks - there was still another huge climb to go... I made it up to the top, though, and then realized I'd entered the clouds (and was drenched to the bones). I didn't dally long (no views) and made good time on the hike down. I actually caught up to several hikers, including June Bug, a sandal clad grandmother, who was finishing a short section she'd previously skipped (for weather). I took my time coming down with her and she told me about how she was almost finished with the AT all the way from Springer Mountain to Port Clinton (wow!). She planned to resume from the latter location, with pit-crew help from her husband, after filling in this section. Saw lots of campers again, setting up well before dark (puzzling). Talked to a young couple with a well behaved black lab and two college buddies from NC who were making a weekend circuit hike. Saw June Bug's husband waiting for her at the swinging bridge and found my car by 1500. All told, hiked about 12.5 miles in the rain and lots of climbing. The rain never dampened my spirits, though! Doubled back to the hotel, discovering Wintergreen Ski Area and several breweries (will have to check them out next time). Got cleaned up (and locked myself out of the room, had credit card and room power issues - wow). Ate dinner at Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant in Waynesboro (repeat visit) at 1730. Crashed early to get ready for another day on the trail... AT Today = 6.10 miles / Grand Total AT = 554.00 miles

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

[worked a normal day - contacted Kelly late and found out there were tickets for the ATCA dinner - I went home and changed and then drove to the Gaylord National (traffic was horrendous) - I arrived around 1815 and got a ticket from Sheila - I had a nice time at our company table - stayed for after-party - got home around 2200]

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

[spent part of the day at the ATCA Convention at the Gaylord National - in the morning, I attend the member breakfast - took the shuttle back to my office - in the afternoon, Greta took me back to the Gaylord - spent several hours networking on the exhibit floor - got some drinks at the pub - attended the JMA Party with all my FAA friends - moved to the RVA Party later in the evening - when everything started to die down, several of us walked to Bobby McKey's piano bar (arrived at 2200) - we stayed until closing and had a great time - went back to find Jim R.'s room before I left to drive home home (in bed around 0100)]

Middletown, DE (USA)

[finishing trip back from Philadelphia... - didn't have to stop for gas, which was nice - back on US-50 to I-495 - made good time, arriving around 0145 - cleaning up after my trip, I got to witness the "fall back" before going to bed - when I woke up, hours later, I drove over to Nicky's house to get the kids - however, they weren't available and I had to give up - spent the rest of the day at my house, resting and watching movies...]