Springfield, VA (USA)

As President of the Environmental Club, Mollie leads an executive board with a charter to increase awareness about environmental issues at her school. This sometimes includes creating opportunities for classmates to earn service hours (required for graduation). Today, the Club coordinated a trash cleanup at Lake Accotink Park, a place where Mollie and I sometimes go canoeing. We left my apartment at about 1130 (after I got a bit lost in the nearby neighborhood on the way) but met up with Mollie's teacher and friends by 1200.  It was sunny but pretty cold (30s) and I had been wondering if that would keep people away. Fortunately, several sturdy students joined Mollie in helping to beautify the waterfront. After seeing that they had things under control, I left the Marina area and took a walk around the Lake. Over the years, I’ve done several sections of the trail but never a full circuit. The “hike” was around four miles (not too tough). When I got back to my car (1400), I met up with Mollie.  She asked if she could go to the Springfield Mall with her friends and I agreed - it was a well deserved break for her - they left in their own car and I went home.