Alexandria, VA (USA)

[work - happy hour with Kelly at Virtue in Old Town (finished at 2145) - she drove me to my car at Huntington]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - happy hour with Charlie K. at Sine in Pentagon City]

Beltsville, MD (USA)

Mollie slept late (1000) and I had time to watch a movie ("Hidden Figures").  She joined me near the end (but had already seen it).  We ate an early lunch and we packed up to leave for Mason Neck.  After arriving (1130), we borrowed my friend's canoe and paddled south towards the NWR.  We had a nice time and got lots of exercise on the Potomac (thanks, Reza)! We saw lots of osprey pairs guarding nests and bald eagles swooping over the river. There were really too many boats (making big wakes) to be able to enjoy the water but we got a good upper body workout without capsizing... Wind and weather were perfect. Mollie and I made plans to visit the NWR when we have enough time and paddle power!  We returned home by 1330 and Mollie did some more homework.  We ate a snack and Mollie watched more nature documentaries on Netflix.  After fending off Nicky's attempts to have Mollie leave my house earlier than scheduled, we departed for Beltsville (1530) and visited with my friend, Brother Jim, and his sister (Gertrude) at a cookout at LaSalle Hall (Religious Retirement Home).  We ate dinner (burgers, hot dogs, corn, ice cream).  After a few hours (1820), we got a gas fillup (1830) and drove back to Alexandria.  I dropped Mollie off at Nicky's house (1905).  What a great weekend!

Great Falls, VA (USA)

Our friend, Bob, invited us to attend the PGA Senior Tour event at Trump National today (Senior PGA event)! We planned to meet him when his shift at the 15th Hole ended (late in the afternoon).  Before that point, however, we drove to Great Falls (0930) to visit my friends from work.  For several years, Ramesh had offered to take us on a hike along the Potomac River near his house (north of the National Park) - it was well worth the wait! We walked close to five miles (1.5 hours) in Seneca Park on a pleasant day and marveled at the high water on the river. Even better, we enjoyed stories of Ramesh's journey to America (and all the good things that followed).  Afterwards, Reeta made us lunch (Indian potato pancakes, mangos, grapes, yogurt).  After several hours with our friends, we were ready for golf but then it started pouring...  At 1300, we left for the Trump National Golf Club.  We easily found the main entrance to the Golf Club and saw several die hard protestors (with running-ink signs). Even though we had a parking pass for the neighborhood, we couldn't park anywhere near the event (the security people told us to go to Dulles).  Sorry, Bob, maybe next time... We gave up and headed back to Alexandria (1415).  While Mollie watched a movie ("Arrival"), I cooked our dinner (shepherd's pie).  Mollie and I went to Mass (St. Raymond of Penafort) at 1700.  After we got home, we had a nice dinner together.  At 1830, I went to Collette's house for Sabrina's birthday party.  I checked in on Mollie while I was gone - she got a lot of studying done for her Biology SOL.  After I returned (2200), we watched some Netflix (nature documentaries) until bed time (2300).

Thurmont, MD (USA)

Mollie slept later than planned so I had time to take care of personal business in the morning.  By 0845, Mollie was ready to go.  We picked up her friend, Cole, and drove to Thurmont, Maryland, to visit the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve and Zoo.  After getting our tickets (1015), we enjoyed several hours of animal entertainment before it started to rain really hard.  Despite the rain, Mollie, Cole and I saw almost every animal up close. We ate a very light lunch (chips, cookies) and decided to leave at 1300.  We dropped Cole off at 1400 and did errands (I purchased car parts, Mollie replaced her library card, Mollie made cash deposits at NFCU, I picked up my apartment pool pass).  Mollie and I spent the rest of the afternoon reading books at my apartment.  At about 1730, Mollie made us a shopping list and takeout order and I picked everything up.  We ate dinner (crab rangoon, chicken lo mein, chicken fried rice, egg drop soup) and had a nice talk.  After cleaning up the kitchen, we watched the rest of the "Anne with an 'E'" series on Netflix.  Mollie went to bed at 2315.

Annapolis, MD (USA)

[teleworked all morning and then drove to meet Chris and his friends in Crownsville, MD - at around 1100, we all rode his boat to a good location where we could watch the Blue Angels Airshow in Annapolis - met Christy - there was an overcast, meaning that the Blues could only perform the "Low Show", but we didn't mind - back at the Marina, enjoyed good food, drinks and company - realized how late it was after I'd been talking to someone I met (Christy) - arrived home at 2350 and found no parking in my apartment complex (grrr...)]

Washington, DC (USA)

I had asked all three girls to meet me for dinner in DC and they agreed.  I later learned that they all planned to arrive at about 1500.  This ended up getting delayed and the Twins ended up leaving Mollie behind (because she stayed after school for Geometry SOL help).  Instead, I met Erin (and Austin, her boyfriend) and Brenna at Hill Country at 1700.  Meanwhile, Nicky dropped Mollie off at the Metro and she rode into the city alone - I picked her up at Archives Station.  We had a very nice BBQ dinner together at Hill Country!  Brenna, Erin and Austin then (1825) left for home.  I took Mollie with me and we walked to the L'Enfant Station.  After we used the Metro to get to my car, we stopped by my house so she could get her JROTC medal that she forgot there.  I took her home at about 1945.

Cornwall Bridge, CT (USA)

Up earlier today and only had a short drive to reach the trailhead on River Road (0745). It was actually the same starting place as Friday but I headed SOBO instead (after I'd hiked the approach trail). Like last evening, this section was almost completely flat and followed the Housatonic. The river was faster and rockier, with lots of feeder creeks that crossed the trail. There were warnings of "metals in the water" but I saw a young couple filling their reservoirs anyway... Near the creeks, I encountered a lot of mud but still kept up a good pace overall. Temps were good (50s/60s). Saw lots of different kinds of birds: some in trees right nearby and one sitting on a lonely rock in the river. Ground squirrels were everywhere and I had to be careful not to trip in their many holes, some right in the middle of the trail. The highlight of the day, though, was seeing a large coyote - he'd been watering by the river and bolted up the hill when he saw me. As I reached the trailheads on the River Road section near Kent, I began to encounter trail runners and bird watchers. I turned around right where the AT started up the hill towards St. John's Ledges - was feeling tired and sore and decided to save that climb for later... My backtrack hike was completely different: MANY day hikers had come out (in large "packs") and I had to keep stopping to let them pass. Did see one group I'd passed yesterday - got that funny look again ("how'd you get here?"). Finished at 1115, after just over 9.5 miles, and quickly departed for home. This area of the AT is pretty hard to get to/from without a lot of back roads but I'll need to return if I want to finish this thing! Got a gas fillup and lunch at McDonalds in Montague, NJ (1315).  Used I-84, I-81, I-83, US-15, I-270 and I-495 to get home.  AT Today = 4.70 miles / G.T. AT = 937.06 miles

Cornwall Bridge, CT (USA)

It was sprinkling when I woke up so I delayed my departure from Cornwall Bridge. I ate a nice breakfast at the Country Market and then drove north on US-7 to Falls Village. Found the AT trailhead at the intersection of CT-112 and headed SOBO (0900). The first part of the hike took me up a rocky hill into a pretty hardwood forest. Almost immediately, I encountered a series of day and section hikers. I stopped to talk to the first few but discovered that there were so many mosquitos that staying stationary was nearly unbearable. Decided to keep moving throughout the day... As I walked alone the ridge line, the sound of racing (engines and screeching tires) got louder until I was able to see the track. The birds tried their best to be heard above the din and their efforts kept my spirits high. A swift moving snake crossed my path - he was just about the only wildlife I saw all day. The temperatures were good, though (60s). Turned around at the Pine Swamp Brook Shelter and arrived back to my car (after a little more than 12 miles) by 1400. Had intended to hike a few more miles but realized I'd drank all the water in my reservoir (almost three liters!). Returned to civilization to refill... Picked up "dinner" at the Citgo in Cornwall Bridge, CT (1810).  At 1830, I drove back to the same trailhead and hiked NOBO to the Water Street Parking lot (where I hiked in the snow in 2015). This section was almost completely flat and was pretty easy. The Housatonic showed another side of her personality: smooth and slow. Every section along this river has been so different! Used the Warren Turnpike to reach my car, passing a huge graduation party at the local high school, and finished the last 4+ miles by 2030.  Overall, logged about 16.5 miles today in pleasant weather. Have another day of hiking on my mind! AT Today = 8.10 miles / G.T. AT = 932.36 miles

Cornwall Bridge, CT (USA)

Spent much of the 90 degree day on the road, repositioning from the boardwalks of Atlantic City to a remote area (no cell signal) along the NY-CT border. Gas fillup in Absecon, NJ (0955).  Used some unconventional roads, including a ride through the area near the Princeton campus.  Ate lunch at McDonald's in Fishkill, NY (1350) and drove north from there.  Stopped at a motel in the AWOL AT Guide Book (Hitching Post) in Cornwall Bridge, CT (1430) and got ready for my hike.  Even though there have been towns on the east side of the Housatonic River for around 300 years, the trail is on the west side - with limited crossings - making my section hiking strategy more difficult. I waited to go to the trailhead (River Road in Sharon, near Cornwall Bridge) until 1945. By then the sun was behind distant ridges in New York. To reach the AT, I had to follow an approach trail for about a quarter mile. From there, I proceeded NOBO and climbed a rocky hill in the twilight, enjoying the steadily dropping temperatures. Encountered two groups of Boy Scouts who were headed for the campsite for the night. Beyond that point, I was treated to a second sunset and strong breeze on the ridge. My descent down to CT-4 was tough - I could barely see the trail, there were slippery leaves and treacherous rocks everywhere. Decided to use the roads to get back to my car - that was much easier. Lots of lightning bugs tonight and several great stargazing opportunities. Riverside living for some folks in the area looks pretty good... Reached the end of my hike by 2130 (after around four miles). More tomorrow! AT Today = 1.70 miles / Grand Total AT = 924.26 miles

Atlantic City, NJ (USA)

[worked in hotel room until around 0730 and then drove to Egg Harbor Township for meetings - stayed from 0800 to 1130 and then drove back to the Resports Casino for the ATCA luncheon - I met up with Eric N. (1200) and stayed for part of one of the Panel discussions after lunch - worked in my room for a bit and then (1430) went back to the Tech Center for the rest of the week's planned meetings/discussions - done by 1500, drove over to the Human Factors Lab with Mahmoud (he took a tour while I talked to Otto) - we parted ways at around 1600 and I drove back to my hotel - worked in my room until around 1530 - got drinks and dinner at Gallagher's Steakhouse (finished at 1915) - packed up and went to bed around 2200 - neighbors kept me up all night...]

Atlantic City, NJ (USA)

[worked in my room for a bit (early) and then started the day at the hotel (for ATCA events) - from 0730 to 1330, I ate breakfast, attended panel discussions (taking lots of notes for my boss) and talked to the exhibitors on the event floor - met up with Eric N. for lunch and then had to head over to Egg Harbor Township again - meetings all afternoon and a tour of the new lab with my client - afterwards (1630), drove back to the Resorts Casino for some more ATCA events - did some work in my room until it was time to eat (around 1900) and then went to dinner with Andy P., Eric N. and Chris S. at Morton's Steakhouse (very pricy - didn't have steak...) - got back to my room at around 2300]

Atlantic City, NJ (USA)

[worked early in my hotel room and then drove over to Egg Harbor Township (0735) - got breakfast and lunch at Wawa (with Mahmoud) and then found our conference room - spent some time setting up and then helped facilitate the meetings - took a break around lunch time and visited the Tech Center Tuesday exhibit floor - saw Luke and talked with his clients, met NASA engineers and NextGen modeling/simulation experts - saw colleagues from my company - highlight was the demo of my client's technology - everything interesting and well received - after meetings were done, I went to visit Steve C. - at 1630, drove to my hotel and got changed for the ATCA Happy Hour and Welcome Dinner at Landshark (on the Boardwalk) - had a great time - hung out with lots of old friends and made some new ones - even did some business (!) - stayed out pretty late - went to bed after watching some TV]

Atlantic City, NJ (USA)

[worked from home in the morning - left my house at 1045 and used I-495, US-50, US-301 and some back roads (including US-40 and DE-1) to get to I-95 - then drove across the Delaware River and used US-40 to reach Egg Harbor Township - stopped at the Tech Center to get a pass (1500) - then drove to my hotel (Resorts Casino) in Atlantic City - I registered for the ATCA Tech Symposium and checked into my room - did some more work for my client (back home) - got some drinks and dinner at Gallagher's Steakhouse (finished at 1815) - talked to Eileen briefly - wrapped up the day with some more work projects - bed late]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - Scott D. cancelled on me for happy hour so I headed to Chevy's (Pentagon City) for $3 margarita night - ran into Colin and talked to him for while - later, Jim R. arrived and we ate dinner - finished at 1950 and headed home via Metro]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - met Alex at Scarlet Oak - had drinks and dinner (done at 1820) - then went to Matchbox (Pentagon City) and met up with Stephanie and Kelly - home at 2000]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - was supposed to meet with Sean G at Izakaya Diakaya but he bailed - instead, went to Hill Country for dinner and drinks (finished at 1820) - walked back to L'Enfant Plaza - home by 2000]

Warrenton, VA (USA)

[work - drove to Vint Hill for work (through 1300) - drove home (telework) - drove to Woodbridge at 1800 - met up with Kelly and Jamie at Brew Republic for Cinco de Drinko - pin the tail on the donkey, pinata - stayed until 2300 - Kelly and Jamie went to another bar with Chris and I went home - got gas on the way (2315)]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[work - happy hour at Vie de France (Dan G., Mark M., Matt, Elaina, Sam, Wendy) - texts from Sabrina and then I met her at Lena's (Braddock Road Station) for half price wine (done at 2200)]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - met up with Phil and Marquitta at Scarlet Oak afterwards (finished at 1930) - Green Line to car - home by 2015]