Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - met up with Kelly at Capital Gallery at around 1630 and we took the Metro to Pentagon City - had margaritas at Chevy's - Jim R joined us late - he drove me to Huntington at around 2000]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - met up with David P for happy hour at Sine (done at 1930) - walked around in Fashion Centre and set up an Apple maintenance appointment - took Metro to my car - home late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - lunch with Brenna F at L'Enfant (saw Tim M there too) - work - walked to Chinatown and met Danton for drinks at Graffiato (done at 1915) - walked back to L'Enfant and took Metro home]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work - took Metro to Rosslyn Station at 1615 - drinks/dinner with Jill at Heavy Seas Alehouse (finished at 2035) - Metro home]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - lunch with Daniel at Chinatown Express - work - took Metro to Metro Center Station with Bob M. and walked to Old Ebbitt Grill - had drinks with Bob M. there (done at 1830) - ate dinner at Pi (pizza) afterwards - walked to Archives Station and headed home]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - Alumni Reunion at Plan B with Joe R, Nouri, Devin, Sean G, Kelly, Chris & Melissa, Rosie, Tasha - done at around 2130 - Metro home]

Arlington, VA (USA)

[work (new job!) - drinks and dinner with Bill W and David F at Sine (finished at 1930)]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[Mollie woke up at 0830 - I cooked breakfast (blueberry pancakes, bacon) and we watched a movie (“Mr. Holland’s Opus”) - at 1230, we went to Giant to pick up cupcakes and then went to Ghengis Grill to celebrate Mollie’s Halfy Birthday - six of her friends were able to attend and everyone had fun with the Mongolian stir fry meal, Sprite and cupcakes (Mollie even got a brownie with ice cream) - Mollie also got some nice presents - it seemed like everyone had a great time - after their parents came to get her friends (1500), Mollie and I drove to Huntley Meadows for a walk - we explored a new off-shoot trail and saw a fox - we arrived home at 1600 - Nicky came to pick up Mollie at 1800]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - last day at my old company - happy hour with Greta, Sean and Phil at Buffalo Wild Wings (Navy Yard) - Greta drove me back to my car (Huntington) at around 1900]

Warrenton, VA (USA)

[work in Warrenton - gas fillup in Haymarket (1040) - teleworked in the afternoon]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - had farewell dinner with Greta at Plan B - home late]

Washington, DC (USA)

[work - farewell (for me) HH at Hill Country - Sean, Rachel, Greta, Phil, Temnite, Sabrina, Becky, Brenna F, Rakesh, Mike G - finished at 2030 in the restaurant - watched the band called "Honeysuckle" in the bar downstairs before leaving - walked to L'Enfant at around 2130 - home after 2200]

Marion, VA (USA)

Got up early, packed and grabbed breakfast at Bojangles in the dark (0655). I returned to the AT trailhead on VA-670 and started NOBO at 0720. I started with my regular two layers, carrying two more, but was unable (and unwilling) to remove hat or gloves for the whole day. It was COLD!!!! My weather app said it was going to be in the mid teens until sunrise but - despite a beautiful view of the eastern sky - the clouds prevented a warm up for over three hours. I don’t think it ever got above 25 degrees - my water reservoir, my beard and my cell phone froze - my face hurt. It was particularly frigid on the ridge, where the snow was actually turning to ice... I did hear evidence of civilization today (dogs, cattle and horses in the farms, cars on the highway below) but saw no people or wildlife all day. Turned around at VA-601 and headed quickly back to my car. Just before I reached it, the sun came out and it got a lot warmer. Back on the road by 1040, after 8 miles, bound for another section. After seeing the road crews treating I-81 for a winter storm, I decided against more hiking and headed home via I-81. Got a gas fillup in Raphine (1330) and made pretty good time the rest of the way (I-66). Great weekend! AT Today = 4.00 miles / G.T. AT = 1074.17 miles

Marion, VA (USA)

Temps were in single digits this morning so I waited to leave my hotel until around 0945. I got breakfast at Hardee’s in Marion (1000) and used VA-16 to get to Grayson County. I took VA-603 and found the AT trailhead a few miles later. The sun was shining brightly and there was no wind but it was still in the teens (F) when I left the snowy parking lot at 1030, headed NOBO. I was layered (2) with more layers (2) in reserve. The snow had not melted yet - there was about an inch of sticky powder and all the trees and bushes were breathtaking in their wintry splendor... I climbed for most of the morning but did get some good views of breathtaking mountain tops against an amazing blue sky. The snow muffled all sounds and I felt like the only person on earth (though I did see some footprints). No wildlife seen today but I saw some of their tracks. Was able to shed gloves and earmuffs on the ridge. I turned around at the Chestnut Flats (Iron Mountain Trail) after 2.3 miles and backtracked quickly to my car (arriving at 12:30). I was able to reposition (to the trailhead at VA-650, Dickey Gap) with little difficulty (new parking lot and signs) and started my second section (NOBO again) at 1330. I noticed immediately that the environment was different after a few hours of sunshine: more melted snow, no footprints, temps in the low 30s. I also saw what looked like “snow” falling but it was really just clumps coming down from branches above. Bigger globs made thumping noises in the deep woods. On the ridge, though, I found “crystallized” snow (it looked like flakes of quartz) and a cloud-like conditions (couldn’t see into the Rye Valley below). I did have to watch my footing during the descent to the Trimpi Shelter (turnaround point from yesterday). After 3.9 miles on this section, I backtracked and climbed again - got to see really good views of Mount Rogers in the distance when I was on the ridge. Had to fix my reservoir (water froze in tube) a few times but made very good time to my car (1620). Total distance for the day was around 13 miles in tough conditions. Felt great and treated myself to a 32 ounce Dos Equis at Mi Puerto in Marion (1745) before heading back to my hotel. More planned tomorrow! AT Today = 6.20 miles / G.T. AT = 1070.17 miles

Marion, VA (USA)

After realizing this morning that I had a chance to get away for a long weekend, I quickly packed and left NoVA (0800). There were already flurries but I saw blue skies on the western horizon. Started on I-66 and stopped for gas fillup in Haymarket (0850). The trip through the Shenandoah Valley was surprisingly smooth on I-81. I made great time to Wytheville (filled up there at 1235). Switched to I-77 and made the decision to head north toward Bland. During the ten mile drive through the mountain, however, it became clear that there was going to be too much snow on the ground to hike. It was really piling up and all the trailhead options were located on gravel roads. Headed back to I-81 and made my way to Marion (VA-16). Snow still kept falling and I was turned back from using several back roads that I’d hoped would get me close to the AT (because of the accumulation). Eventually located a trailhead on VA-670 (Teas Road) west of Sugar Grove. Started SOBO at 1430 - relieved that I’d found a place where I could hike (but wondering if would be able to get my car out of a snowdrift when I returned). I crossed the nicest bridge (across the South Fork of the Holston River) I’ve ever seen on the AT. It was quiet in the woods and I was glad to return to the solitude of the trail after a week in the City. The snow was wet and sticky but the biting cold wind I’d encountered during my drive had passed. I had a flashback memory to the Winter of 2015, when I hiked half of Pennsylvania in the snow (seems like a million years ago...). About midway through my outbound leg, I started to see lots of footprints (fresh ones) and I kept expecting to see people. However, they headed off across the farm fields and I saw trackless snow again for the rest of my hike. Turned around at the Trimpi Shelter and made it back to my car before 1600 (after just over 5.5 miles). I’d started with only two layers (with a third in reserve) and warmed up nicely by the end. I was annoyed that my phone shut down again before I finished (thanks Apple) but at least I’d taken all my pictures. Because there was almost no elevation, the hike seemed really easy. And the sun made an appearance just after my car started. Drove back to Marion for the night and found a room at the Travel Inn (1755). Ate dinner across the street at Bojangles (1900) and watched football until late. Hoping for some sunny (even if not warm) weather in the morning! AT Today = 2.80 miles / Grand Total AT = 1063.97 miles

Washington, DC (USA)

[parked at Branch Avenue - work - team HH at Scarlet Oak - Greta, Sean, Rachel - saw Temnite and her date - done at 1920 - metro back to Branch Avenue - got home late]

Fairfax, VA (USA)

[I woke Mollie up at 0630 and she got ready - I drove her to Fairfax High School for the Science Olympiad - I ended up dropping her off at 0715 - I did work at home while she was gone - I went to pick her up (1515) - we did some drivers education activities on the way back to my apartment - once we got home (1630), Mollie rested snugly on the couch and talked to her mother on the phone - we ate dinner (loaded baked potatoes that we'd made in the crock pot, salad, apple slices dipped in caramel) and then watched a movie (“9”) - we read a lot and relaxed until bed time (2200)]

Warrenton, VA (USA)

[work in Warrenton - drove home at around 1400 - teleworked for the rest of the day]

Alexandria, VA (USA)

[work - happy hour with Bill W at Sine in Pentagon City (finished at 1900) - walked for steps in Fashion Centre for about an hour and then went home]