Glasgow, VA (USA)

[After a nice sleep, I thought my body had recovered enough for another day on the Blue Ridge... I ate breakfast at PC (finished at 0720) in Natural Bridge, which delayed me - then my drive to Petites Gap wasn't direct (the James River was far more of an obstacle than I'd hoped). Still, I arrived at the AT trailhead by 0800 and started NOBO again. This hadn't been the plan, but the steep climb up Apple Orchard Mountain (in the other direction) looked too intimidating. This proved to be a fateful choice... The wind was very strong on the west side of the ridge and I actually had to layer up until I crossed the first (high) crest. After that, though, the wind was calm. Eventually, the sun rose high in the sky and I wished for the breeze to return after the temperatures soared into the 60s (yikes!). I didn't see any people or wildlife on the outbound leg. The section was in the James River Wilderness, which includes the highest point and the lowest point of the BRP in VA. This meant a climb to 3000 feet initially and then a descent to around 700 feet at my turnaround point (Matts Creek Shelter). I met up with another hiker there (he was fishing along the creek). After resting for a bit, I was startled to see and hear about 15 city-folk day hikers as they arrived at the shelter. By the time I left, there was actually a line for the privy! Glad to leave people behind again and made my way back up the mountain. It really kicked my ass - about 2/3 of the way up, I had to fight past obstacles so I could continue: not enough gas in the tank, muscles struggling, poorly-patched hiking pole broke and water in my reservoir almost gone. Life Metaphors were abundant all the way back to my car - I had definitely taken on more than I should have but didn't quit, creeping along tenaciously until I finished. I got a short break when I met a couple and their "don't worry, she is friendly" (while she snarled and raced toward me) dog - their thick Virginia accents were pleasant sounding but soon I was alone again. It took all I had to clamber up to the top of the "better than the other" ridge (from this morning) and I was glad that the last mile was downhill. My brain was fried too - almost nothing in my head except "ouch"... Actually, my roughly 15.5 mile day was much more challenging (psychologically?) than yesterday's longer hike. I was utterly spent at 1545 but still had the 3+ hour drive back to my house (via US-501 to US-60 and then I-81, I-66 and I-495). Ate dinner (free sub) at Sheetz (1845). By the time I arrived back in the DC area (1945), I could barely walk. Despite this, I'm very glad I got away from the city/work/etc. and feel recharged! Hope it isn't six weeks until the next chance to hike AT again... AT Today = 7.70 miles / G.T. AT = 623.50 miles]

Natural Bridge, VA (USA)

[Six weeks without any AT experiences flew by - I really missed them! Even though I never set my alarm (and didn't even pack because I was up late playing games at Robert Wincer's last night), I still managed to get on the road by 0630. Got gas and breakfast in Raphine (0900). Made great time (I-495, I-66, I-81) and was at the trailhead (VA-614 again) three hours later. I've got a few sections left near the BRP and today's hike was essential to connecting with those. I started out NOBO and didn't see another person for more than 8 hours. In fact, the only evidence of people was the sound of distant Interstate traffic, two AT shelters, a deer stand and occasional glimpses of farms in the valley below. Otherwise, it was just me and the elements... I typically shed layers as I get hotter - today was no exception. This helped me complete almost 17.5 miles of climbs and descents (between 1000 feet and 3300 feet, more than once) on Fork Mountain and Floyd Mountain. Fortunately, almost all the snow from the last month was nearly melted (although I had brought my snow shoes, just in case). It wasn't really even cold, but sometimes the wind blowing through the threads of my polyblend shirt made me think I should layer up again (but I didn't)... Saw two deer on the trail and heard an extremely loud woodpecker near my turnaround point (at Cornelius Creek Shelter). Finished around 1730. It was a big risk (because I'm rusty) to hike the section and the distance - my entire body is protesting the decision right now. Still, I'm glad I didn't choose a short hike - it was a beautiful February day! Found a hotel in Natural Bridge (Relax Inn - 1800) Hope to hike back up to the same place again tomorrow: from Petites Gap. After I recover, of course (and finish this Mint Moosetracks "All Shook Up" Shake at the Pink Cadillac Diner at 1945)... AT Today = 8.70 miles / Grand Total AT = 615.80 miles]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[regular work day until late in the day (1630) - took Blue line to Rosslyn and met up with my friend, Bob M. at Heavy Seas Ale House - stayed for several hours and had a great time - left around 2030 - Metro troubles - home late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[busy work day - had a team meeting at Justin's Cafe in SE DC (finished at 1515) - Vie de France with Kelly and John C. - then I took the Metro over to Pentagon Row - drinks and dinner at Bonefish with Sabrina and Joey (and later, Kelly) - finished at 2045 - home around 2145]

Alexandria [Mount Vernon], VA (USA)

[worked in the city for half a day and then picked up Mollie after school - we went to Mount Vernon to celebrate for George Washington's birthday - it had been 10 years since I'd been there with the kids (see FEB 2006) - we arrived around 1500 and got to spend a few hours before they closed (fee free) - the highlight of the day was getting to see the new (since I was there, anyway) museum with the wax figures of Washington at several points during his life - we later took a tour of the house and saw some animals - Mollie pointed out that the Potomac was so calm that you could see the clouds in the sky reflected in it - we got to visit George and Martha's crypt right as the park was closing and then walked back to our car (via the gift shop) - took Mollie home around 1730]

Mason Neck, VA (USA)

[after Mollie woke up and had breakfast, I got a haircut (first one in three months) - after browsing around the Dollar Tree, I then (1100) took Mollie to the Edison Academy Open House (to learn about the Animal Sciences elective) - afterwards, we drove to Mason Neck for another tour of Gunston Hall - we had a nice time (hiking around the property) - we got back at my apartment around 1400 - we ate a late lunch and then Mollie worked on some more CCD quizzes - we decided to cook lasagna so that we could finish before church - we went to Mass (St. Lawrence) and returned for dinner (lasagna and apple) at around 1815 - for the rest of the evening, it was movies for me and Minecraft for Mollie - bed around 2200]

Woodbridge, VA (USA)

[in the morning, it took several hours to shovel my car out of the driveway - I met a bunch of Kelly's neighbors and lots of kids who were enjoying the weather - I made breakfast (eggs, sausage) and listened into a TelCon for work before I drove back to my apartment - VERY dicey roads - relieved to make it to Alexandria - there was probably four inches of snow everywhere, so I decided to use new snow shoes for a hike around my neighborhood - I discovered some trails just down the hill and had a nice time (probably 4-5 miles overall) - highlight was Banks Family Park - rested for the rest of my "day off" (despite earlier plans to be more productive) - still, it was nice to take it easy around here, especially after a marathon fun time with the kids...]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[kids up early - I made breakfast (French Toast, sausage) at their request - Mollie finished another CCD test and I printed the next one for her - Brenna continued working on her financial aid application (she needed my help) - I cleaned up the apartment and Mollie packed to go home - we drove to Nicky's house and dropped I Mollie off - we also switched out the cars so Brenna could practice her driving again - we also dropped off Erin's clothes and Valentine's Day gift - Mollie introduced me to their dog, Bear - Brenna and I practiced driving for a while and then we went back to my apartment - we then worked on the FAFSA form again together - lunch (meatloaf, potatoes, salad); Brenna did her homework at my house until it was time for Mass; I called Mollie, to see if she wanted to go with is (she didn't) - when Nicky called me, I offered to meet Erin at my apartment and help her at 1815 - Brenna and I practiced driving some more and went to Mass (St. Bernadette) - we waited at my apartment until it was clear that Nicky was not coming to my house with Erin - I packed up the rest of the kids' stuff and dropped Brenna off at her mother's house, along with Valentine's Day balloon and cake (1830) - throughout the rest of the night, I helped Brenna with FAFSA paperwork - I was a bit sad that the streak of 10 days with the kids ended... - but I got a text from my friends and ended up I driving to meet them at O'Connell's Irish Pub in Old Town (1915) - apparently, they had been there for hours, celebrating "Galentines Day) with live music - we had good food but I didn't drink much, since they kept talking about leaving - when I learned that Kelly didn't have a ride home, I offered to drive her back to Woodbridge - we made good time but the snow started just as we were getting there - we ended up watching episodes of a Netflix series and stayed up late - didn't go home, due to the snow]

Falls Church, VA (USA)

[breakfast (bagels, cereal, yogurt); all kids up early - Brenna was planning to go (with her friends) to Wreaths Across America cleanup, Erin was leaving for a wrestling tournament near Richmond - I drove Brenna to Metro (Springfield) - Mollie and I washed linens and cleaned up rooms - I then spent quiet time with Mollie - Brenna called from the Pentagon City mall (she was shopping) with lots of questions about the Metro schedule (there was track work) - I eventually (1215) met her at King Street - we went by her house to get a change of clothes and then picked up Redbox movies (2) - we ate lunch (sandwiches, cheezits) and snack (bacon) for Brenna, who "wasn't hungry" - Mollie did homework and CCD quizzes and Brenna took a nap - at 1630, I took Brenna to meet her friends at the Olive Garden in Falls Church (birthday party) - I then went to Giant and bought Valentine's Day presents, candy and decorations on the way home - cooked dinner (ground beef tacos, yellow rice) with Mollie - watched movies - I drove back to Falls Church to pick up Brenna (2000) - Mollie called from the apartment to tell me her mother was only a few hours away - after I arrived home, we had Valentine's Day snacks and cake and watched Mollie's movie - Brenna and Mollie slept at my house (we got to bed late)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[I went shopping bought food for Mardi Gras; breakfast (pancakes, bacon, oranges) - twins slept late - Mollie and I drove (I-395) into DC - parked at L'Enfant and walked to the Smithsonian Museum of American History - spent about three hours enjoying exhibits - lunch (Pizza Authentica); then drove to Waldorf (I-295, I-495, MD-5) and shopped at Christmas Tree Shops; drove back to Alexandria - Mollie got her school stuff (1615) - we went home - I did laundry while Mollie did her homework - left Mollie at my house and picked up Brenna so we could go to Mass (St. Bernadette) - dropped her off afterwards and I went home to have dinner (leftovers and Sabrina's soup) with Mollie - we cleaned up the apartment and then watched a rented movie ("Pan") - twins arrived at 2230 - bed late]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[Mollie slept late - breakfast (toaster strudel) - errands with Mollie at NFCU and Giant (80th BDay & cake) - sent texts to twins about dinner (invite) - lunch (leftovers) - in the afternoon, I drove over to Old Town and helped Sabrina fix her broken bed - after I was finished (1600), Mollie and I went to Mass (St. Lawrence) - we cooked dinner (Bourbon Chicken, green beans) - Mollie and I then watched a rented movie ("Minions") - the twins arrived at 2200 and we went to bed soon after]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[after work, had drinks at the Ritz (Pentagon City) after work with Joey and Kelly (Sabrina and Joe R. stood us up and went to Rockfish Grill) - I then rode Metro to my car and drove over to pick up Mollie - we went to Course Selection (orientation) night at the High School (1900) - wow, she is really growing up! - I dropped her off around 2030 and went home]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[dinner after work with Kelly at the Bonefish Grill on Pentagon Row - took Metro home around 1830]