Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - happy hour with Stephanie and Kelly at Matchbox Pentagon City (finished at 1915)]

Fort Washington, MD (USA)

While Mollie was sleeping in the morning, I met Kelly at Southside 815 for brunch and we watched the Redskins-Bengals Game (finished at 1200).  After I got home and retrieved Mollie, we headed into Maryland to visit three more National Parks! We first enjoyed views of the Potomac (and Mount Vernon) from Fort Washington.  We continued south and visited the Piscataway National Farm (first time there since APR 2006).  There, we rubbed elbows (and produced homemade candles) with 1770s farmers and mingled among flocks of sheep, chickens and turkeys.  At the end of the adventure, we paid our respects at the grave of one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Stone, and visited his home near Indian Head.  The eather was awesome as we capped off the last weekend in October with lots of walking. Had another great day with Mollie and was sad to drop her off at 1700.

Doswell, VA (USA)

I made breakfast and Made ate some of it when she finally woke up (very late).  We then got ready and left for King's Dominion (1030).  We picked up Kelly and her kids and had lunch together (Burger King) at around 1245.  Then we went into the park (1315) and rode on lots of tides until dark.  Lines were long but we were undeterred.  Mollie got her face painted (1815).  We ate dinner at the Country Kitchen (inside the park) at around 1850.  We spent the evening enjoying the scare zones and haunted mazes. We departed the park at around 2200 and drove home, dropping off Kelly, Emma and Aidan on the way.  Mollie and I arrived home by 2330 and went to bed immediately. It was great to have one more fun day (and night) with our season pass at King's Dominion! Hoping to return again next year...

Washington, DC (USA)

[headed to Gallery Place at lunch time and ate a great meal with Jeris at Clyde's - went back to work for several more hours and then headed to L'Enfant - started with a happy hour at Vie de France with Kelly, Mel, Laura, Mark, Frank (finished at 1640) - walked to Penn Quarter - went to happy hour at Dirty Habit with Sean, Nouri, Narin, Faiza (etc). - finished at 1925]

Washington, DC (USA)

[after work, went to happy hour at Scarlet Oak with Phil C. - met tourists from Evansville, IN - finished at 1930]

Harrisonburg, VA (USA)

Had business at James Madison University during most of the day, so my hiking weekend plans were derailed. But, like so many other times recently, I decided to try to make the best of things, to keep my goals on track for finishing the AT. Drove to Harrisonburg early in the morning (actually, earlier than Brenna and Erin wanted to meet me...).  I ate food I'd brought on the way (late breakfast) and, after meeting up with the Twins, drove them around town, looking at apartments.  After we finished, I dropped them off and picked up a late lunch at McDonalds in Harrisonburg (1625)  By 1700, I was on Skyline Drive and making my way to a trailhead in the Southern District. Parked at Camp Store and hiked NOBO to Ivy Creek Spring (access trail). I then turned around and headed SOBO, all the way to Doyles River Trail. This tied up two sections I'd hiked previously. More than two thirds of my trek was spent in total darkness. Deer were everywhere! About halfway through, I was startled to encounter some nature walkers (no flashlights) - better than a bear, though. In addition to the lower temperatures (falling from about 50 to just under 40 during my three hour hike), there was a cold wind blowing - it was sharpest on the SE side of Loft Mountain (brrrrrr!). Hiked about 8.5 miles total because I used the campground roads to reach my car during the backtrack. Hardcore campers, already snug in their translucently lit tents and fancy RVs, made me feel better about braving the elements tonight - I'm not the only crazy person: the place was actually packed! Foliage viewers had filled all the accommodations nearby so I had no choice but to call it a weekend when I was done hiking at around 2045.  On the way home after my mini-adventure, I stopped for dinner at Wendy's in Ruckersville (2130).  AT Today = 4.30 miles / Grand Total AT = 803.08 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[after work, went to happy hour with Greta at Dirty Habit (old Poste) in Penn Quarter - saw Sean G. - finished at 1930]

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

[National Harbor - ATCA Convention Day 3 - started the day in the city but took the Metro back to my car at around 1300 - drove to the Gaylord immediately and ended up working from Jim R.'s room - had a small happy hour with Luke and Ilana (finished at 1800) - then attended the pre-banquet mixer (not as fun as in past years but that was OK) - we then went to Awards Banquet and had a great time! - attendees included Dirse, Ilana, Ruth K., Emma O., Luke, Scott - after dinner, we all went to the reception for dessert - left parking garage at 2130 - dropped Luke off at his house - home soon afterwards - not a bad week at the Convention!]

Oxon Hill, MD (USA)

[National Harbor - ATCA Convention Day 2 - parked in the garage in the morning and went to the member breakfast - sat with Pete D., Neal P., Fran H. - also saw Dave Z. and Scott - took shuttle to L'Enfant Plaza - went to my work meetings and then went back to our office - Jackie drove me back to National Harbor after several more hours of work - I took tour of exhibit floor and saw all my friends and colleagues - went to happy hour at Metron's booth - Kelly contacted me, Jim R. and Tasha to find her purse (lost at Veracity party the night before) - I hung out with Greta in the lounge - saw lots of BD people from our company (and others - got many business cards) - went to the beginning of the SAIC party with Greta - she left soon afterwards - I got an ISIM demo and hung out with my COBEC friends - talked to a NOAA person about some work we are doing - overheard (negative) intel about one of my clients (yikes!) - left parking garage at 1935]

Oxen Hill, MD (USA)

[National Harbor - ATCA Convention Day 1 - teleworked for most of the day and then drove across the Potomac (ugghhh,..) - registered for the Exhibit Floor just as it closed (1700) - ran into Ilana - found my way to the opening night happy hour and got inside without an invitation (wearing my company polo shirt) - saw several people from work there but didn't talk to them long (just long enough to get our drink tickets) - I did spend time talking to Danton and several other former colleagues - later went to the Veracity party - there, I ran into Kelly, Sabrina, Monica and Emmy - continued on to the CSRA party and hung out with Jim R. - saw lots of people from work there too but people began to get rowdy enough that it was less fun that usual - did exchange business cards with lots of people in the industry - late in the evening, went back to the Veracity party - left parking garage for home by 2200]

Atkins, VA (USA)

Ate a nice breakfast at The Barn (0730) before heading out to stitch more AT sections together... Like yesterday, I had to re-locate a turnaround from my last visit to Atkins in 2014. Luckily, I did remember this one because it was a busy train crossing. Starting NOBO at 0900 at VA-615 (after a great breakfast at "The Barn"), I linked up with the old section and turned SOBO. After returning to the Settler's Museum, where I'd parked, it was all uphill until I'd had enough. I somehow avoided a nasty wasp nest that was heavily advertised. All around me, the leaves were falling furiously - the colors were fiery red and bright yellow. The climb up Glade Mountain was steep and rocky. At some point on the way, I entered Mount Rogers NRA (again). I didn't see any wildlife today, unfortunately. But I did encounter an older lady (and her dog) from North Carolina. She provided a lot of local trail knowledge - she said she hikes in Mount Rogers NRA often. I turned around at a beautiful vista point above Atkins. I saw one more local hiker on the way down but didn't talk much to him (in a hurry - long drive home). I exited the trail at VA-727 (dirt and gravel road), enjoying the historic farmland and buildings on the way to my car. Finished my 10 mile day at around 1400. Drive home sucked (three accidents and LOTS of traffic). But, from the horror stories I'd seen about the crowds in SNP this weekend (from the AT Hiker FB Group), the driving to/from remote trail experience was well worth the effort! Gas fillup in Haymarket (1830).  AT Today = 5.00 miles / 798.78 miles

Atkins, VA (USA)

Got a really late start today - almost didn't leave but the great weather ultimately convinced me. Gas fillup in Lexington (1220).  Checked into Relax Inn (Rural Retreat in Atkins) at 1500.  Got changed and drove to the trailhead.  Started SOBO at about 1530 from the parking lot on VA-617. I'd hiked in this area in 2014, before I had a map or trail guide - needless to say, I had not estimated the mileage correctly... Still, my hike to the vaguely recalled turnaround ended up being easier than I expected - in a short time, I'd located a familiar spot and was able to turn NOBO, bound for newer treads. The initial climb took me through some cow pastures but then the trail went into a deep forest. Before long, I could barely hear the sounds from I-81. White tailed deer continually scattered as I climbed up Little Brushy Mountain - they were everywhere! I encountered four SOBO thru hikers: three were in a hurry and didn't chat much but one ("Mojo") engaged me in conversation immediately. He was sitting by the side of the trail, looking concerned - it turned out that he'd run out of water. Fortunately for him, I had extra (how many times have I been able to pay the trail magic forward this year?). While we talked (about the trail in both directions), I noticed that he was hiking in Crocs - he said they hurt his feet but his boots were worse (yikes! not his day, I guess). After I turned around at the crossing of the Crawfish Trail, the sun went down (beautiful sunset). I was able to walk without my headlamp for another hour but it eventually was too hard and I put it on. By the time I reached the cow fields again, though, a huge moon had risen overhead. I was glad for the extra light because there were cows everywhere! They didn't want to move, either (several interesting eulogy stories went through my head at that point...). I eventually made it back to my car (2000), after finishing about 12 miles (with the uncountable distance and backtrack). Dinner at El Burrito Loco (2015).  Staying with a bunch of hikers tonight! AT Today = 5.20 miles / Grand Total AT = 793.78 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[after work, Greta and I had dinner and drinks at Plan B (finished at 1900)]

Notre Dame Football Weekend - Day 4

The best hiking day is one when someone else joins you! Mollie and I woke up in hotel room at 0730, checked out (0810) and got breakfast (Aunt Bea's) in Independence (0825).  We made our way out of the no cell signal zone on the VA-NC border, following VA-16 north until we reached the Mount Rogers NRA Visitors Center, north of Sugar Grove (0915). We learned a lot about the area and made plans for our next visit. Conveniently, the AT passed right through the parking lot. We managed to squeeze in a total of about three miles of hiking, out and back, in a little more than an hour (0930 to 1045). It was cool and sunny and the trail on an old Forest Service road was very easy. One highlight was the pretty shelter we passed. In addition, we enjoyed some great fall colors on the trees and the tunnel like passageways through the rhododendron bushes. We turned around at a stream bed about halfway to the next parking area. Our walk back was equally pleasant and we might have continued if we hadn't run out of time. By 1100, we were on the road, bound for home.  Mollie texted with her mother, asking if she could have extra visitation time to see her sisters in Harrisonburg.  Nicky said "take your time" because she was supposed to work until 2200 anyway.  Mollie then got in touch with Brenna and Erin, setting up the rendezvous at JMU.  We stopped to get gas and lunch in Lexington at 1310 and arrived in Harrisonburg at about 1400.  Because it was one of our first trips to see the Twins in college, I spent some time trying to navigate the parking pass process.  Ultimately, this ended up being unnecessary because it was a weekend day...  Mollie and I then toured the campus for about three hours, met the Twins's friends, ate dinner (Duke's Cafe), took pictures and played games.  I also drove both Brenna and Erin to/from class (at different times).  Overall, I had a great evening with all three of my girls at JMU!  Had been planning to head straight home but Mollie asked if we could take the "scenic route" through Shenandoah National Park.  I agreed to this after her mother approved our late arrival in Alexandria and we started east around 1745.  Mollie then got a frantic call from her mother: apparently, Nicky had heard on the radio that the Adele concert she bought tickets for was actually about to start in DC in the next hour!  When it was clear we wouldn't make it and Nicky hung up (upset), I asked Mollie to check the internet and she learned that the concert was, as she had originally thought, 24 hours later (in other words, there wasn't any problem).  Mollie told her mother about this and we continued on our way without additional drama.  We saw amazing sunset views before we left Skyline Drive to get on US-211.  Mollie said several times that she didn't want to go home...  We almost got killed by driver using the wrong side of the highway just west of Warrenton (yikes!).  Using US-29, I-66 and I-495, we got to my apartment at 2030.  We unpacked the car and I dropped Mollie off at her house at 2100.  I felt very contented when I went to sleep - we packed in some amazing things in just four days.  I also can tell that my daughter loves the mountains and remote areas as much as I do! AT Today = 1.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 788.58 miles

Notre Dame Football Weekend - Day 3

I counted on Mollie sleeping several hours later today (and I was right!)... Left Independence at 0615 and made my way to the trailhead at Dickey Gap, on VA-650 (near VA-16). Had to dodge deer all the way... It was dark when I started SOBO (0700) - temperatures were in the 40s and I was glad I brought extra layers of clothing. The terrain in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area wasn't too challenging and I made good time to Chestnut Flats (intersection of Iron Mountain Trail). It was a bit windy on the ridge but the sun was shining brightly. I love hiking in the Fall! Turned around and enjoyed a mostly downhill return leg. I got a couple of nice breaks when I encountered SOBO through hikers. One guy had spent the night in the Hurricane Mountain Shelter (brrrrr!) and told me his hike had been interrupted in 2009 when he was in Connecticut - he finally had a chance to finish the rest of the AT. The rest of the hikers (group of five) had hiked up from the same trailhead as me. Otherwise, the only other living things I encountered during my 12.5 mile hike were scattered wild turkeys, loudly gobbling near the trail... Reached my car at 1130, feeling great. I arrived back at the hotel (Mollie had already eaten breakfast and extended our stay by one night) at 1200.  We drove across the street and ate lunch at Aunt Bea's in Independence (1245) - it was delicious!  We then drove to Grayson Highlands State Park, arriving at 1345, via a very winding road (US-58).  We spent a few hours hiking and viewing the wild ponies that lived there (Mollie was in heaven!).   Got an extra bonus: the AT crossed the Wilburn Ridge there and I was able to scout out a future trailhead for my climb of Mount Rogers. Looking forward to returning to the area again!  We took a tour of visitors center and bought souvenirs (1515).  Afterwards, we explored the Mount Rogers NRA on some curvy mountain roads (and heated up Bessie's breaks A LOT - yikes!).  We finally got a cell signal for the first time in over 36 hours and Mollie made me stay right there while she checked her social media.  On the way back to the hotel, we found a nice looking restaurant: the Log House Trading Post in Mouth of Wilson (arrived at 1545).  For the second night in a row, we were lucky to be eating early because restaurants in the area apparently close at 1800 and run out of food well before that.  Our dinner consisted of catfish, mashed potatoes, squash, hush puppies and apple fries - we took off the feed back at 1715.  On the way back to Independence, we explored the New River and North Carolina border area in Mouth of Wilson.  Back at the hotel, we relaxed and watched TV (including a Presidential Debate).  Went to bed at 2330.  AT Today = 6.20 miles / G.T. AT = 787.18 miles

Notre Dame Football Weekend - Day 2

I teleworked in the morning and then woke Mollie up at 0800.  We ate breakfast in the lobby and left the hotel at 0915.  we shopped at Walmart (0940) in Henderson to pick up a rain poncho and then drove to Raleigh for the Notre Dame & NC State football game.  Stopped for Gas in Morrisville (1055).  After having trouble parking (1130) and then walking through the rain (Hurricane Matthew), we arrived at the stadium just before it started (1200).  We found our seats but were waterlogged before the end of the first half.  So we found some cover and lunch (Chick-fil-A, pizza).  We were planning to stay for the second half but the weather got worse and the game was delayed.  Ultimately, we decided to leave at about 1430 and had significant trouble (rain and wind) getting back to the car (Mollie almost blew away!).  On the road (still raining) by 1500 and listened to the end of the game (the Irish lost...).  We drove to Mount Airy, where the weather improved tremendously and ate dinner (chicken and dumplings, mac and cheese, green beans, salad, potatoes, corn bread, cinnamon apples, milkshake) at Nana's Kitchen.  After finishing (1750), we headed north.  Stopped for gas at 1830 and found a hotel (Grayson Inn) when we arrived at Independence, Virginia.  We were settled in our room (with no cell signal) by 1900 and watched TV until 2230.

Notre Dame Football Weekend - Day 1

Nicky had asked me if Mollie could stay with me for the weekend (extra visitation!) because she was going on a trip with Steve.  Of course I agreed because I wanted Mollie to go with me to see the Notre Dame versus NC State football game.  She arrived the previous evening and I was excited to learn that she didn't even have school when she was with me (four day weekend!).  I teleworked in the morning and woke Mollie up at 0900.  She ate a late breakfast and we packed for our trip.  We then drove to Kings Dominion, eating a pre-packed lunch (that Mollie made) on the way.  We arrived at 1245 and spent about four hours at the park with our season passes.  We had our fill of fun rides and then drove south, pre-positioning for the next day. We ate dinner (Taco Bell in Chester, VA) at 1715.  After that, we drove a bit longer and then found a hotel (Budget Host) in Henderson, North Carolina (1920).  It had already started raining by that point - not a good sign for the next day's sporting event...  Mollie’s godfather, Chuck, called us and we talked to him for a while.  We also watched TV until about 2200 and went to bed.

Arlington, VA (USA)

[after work, I took the Metro to Pentagon City and met up with my friends (Stephanie, Monica, Kelly) for Joe R. and Joe B. birthday celebration at the Ritz (finished at 2015)]

Warrenton, VA (USA)

I hoped to seize an opportunity for a hike today, since I was meeting with our team in Warrenton. In the morning, I could actually see the ridges of SNP since it was a clear day - I was really glad I came prepared! Had a productive day and even squeezed in lunch at Wegmans with the staff (1245).  After work, I drove about an hour to the southwest and parked at a trailhead at mile marker 75.2 on Skyline Drive (Pinefield Gap). Quickly changed and headed SOBO (1500). What a great day for the trail! I could see for miles from several vistas and didn't see any people. Wasn't sure how much daylight I actually had, so I had a couple of exits planned (I didn't want to end up hiking with the bears after sunset). This area had actually been closed early in the season because of a forest fire - but I could barely see any evidence of the damage. When I'd had my fill of the rolling hills and valleys, I settled for a (non-AT) trail that took me by an old cabin and spring near Ivy Creek. There I encountered the only people I saw in the woods all day: two SOBO thru hikers. Chatted with them for a short time before heading west, exiting near Loft Mountain Wayside. The AT section I chose today wasn't too long but with the trail back to the road (over half a mile), along with the slightly longer walk back on the road (no shortcuts across the ridge line), I probably hiked about nine miles by the time I reached my car (1815). It was already past sunset at that point but the sun peaking over the ridges on the other side of the Shenandoah Valley kept the road well lit until I started down the east side of the mountain at Swift Run Gap. Uneventful ride home on US-29 (probably easier because it wasn't a weekend...). Gas fillup in Gainesville (2000).  Happy to find a way to squeeze some trail miles in (especially on a weekday) - I can't miss chances to enjoy the great Fall mountain weather! AT Today = 3.90 miles / Grand Total AT = 780.98 miles

Alexandria, VA (USA)

Katie and Mollie slept until 1100 after their sleepover.  I made breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit) and the girls helped me clean up (dishes, laundry).  Shelly came up get Katie at noon.  Mollie and I went to Fort Belvoir to explore the Oktoberfest.  We got lunch (butterfly chips, cinnamon almonds) there but only stayed for a little while because of the lines and the deep mud.  We decided to go to the bowling alley on Post for three games of "Lunar Bowling" (finished at 1450).  Afterwards, we played catch at Mark Twain and walked around the track.  We stopped by our old house and even took a tour (Jenn B. was having an open house).  Mollie played with the neighborhood cat, Charger, who came over to see her.  I dropped Mollie off at her mother's house at 1645.  I went home rested at my apartment after a busy weekend...