Stephens Trail, Kennedy Peak -- There is more than just the Shenandoah's!

I've always been pretty good at inviting myself along....and when I heard Bennett and Matt were getting out that is exactly what I did!  Today we headed just east of the Shenandoah's to the Massanutten Mountains. Beautiful views of the  Shennandoah's from the top...The river looks like an awesome float...I just need to get a pack-raft!

Matt was a great sport and very patient with all of my photo taking  He also pulled off the jump-shot on his first go!  The loop was just over nine miles, with a long ascent, a long ridge at the top (with great views on both sides), and a short downhill. 


Below, Bennett strikes a pose at the top!!  The peak is just a short side trip off the main trail.  Thanks for the great day!!  Looking forward to getting out again!!

A Beautiful Day in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore is about an hour north of the District and is worth the trip!  Andrew lived in Baltimore for a number of years, so he was a great tour guide!  Andrew jumping for huger as we made our way to eat at Nacho Mamma's.  The nacho's, as always, were delicious as was the local Nattly Boh beer!  

I'm jumping to burn off all the calories!!  Plus,we stocked up at Vacaro's, a local Italian Pastry shop, where the eclairs were bigger than my arm!  The city felt so quite compared to Washington....it felt nice on the ears. A beautiful day wandering  around a  pretty cool city!!

Overall Loop and Some Product Testing - Patagonia Super Cell

Story in short.  I like gear, and I like to know how well it works.  So when my new Patagonia Super Cell arrived I had to give it a test run, literally!  This jacket is new in the Patagonia spring line and is their lightest weight (12.8 oz) hardshell Gore-tex jacket.

But, for those who are short on time, and most likely won't make it through the whole post,
here is my quick 5 star rating scores with comments:
(If I could figure out how to make a star in blogger, I would have....!)

FIT/COLOR:  5 STARS (Note: I ordered the M, then downsized to a S.  I'm 5'8, 150/155.) 

BREATHABILITY:  2 STARS (It's waterproof.)

WATERPROOFNESS:  5 STARS (It's Gore-tex.)

WHEN WOULD THIS JACKET ROCK:  I think this jacket would be a great piece for Colorado/Wyoming, etc peak bagging.  I think it would be a great piece for more mellow international trips (ie hiking Annapurna, Kilimanjaro, Inca Trail, etc).  Also, I would certainly throw it in my pack on rock climbing trips and any sort of easy trail backpacking trips.

WHEN WOULDN'T THIS JACKET ROCK:  It is certainly lightweight, and not sure how to test its durablity.  Some heavy Alaska bush wacking, I think, would tear it to shreds.  Too light for any really wet ice climbing.  And a D.C. hot humid day....well, I would rather be naked!

I learned the last time I went out to the Shendandoah's to give a shout ahead of time to make sure the road is open.....and sure enough, even on a 50 degree calm day, the road was closed!  I had done the 9.0 mile Overall Loop last year, and with great views and access outside of the park it was the pick of the day.

I left the car with the jacket on, a merino 2 crew neck, and began my "trot".  (Trotting = something between a walk and a jog.)  I warmed up pretty quickly.  The front waterproof zipper was easy to zip and with the larger plastic it was easy to use with cold fingers and gloves (see above).  The underarm zips, as usual, were a bit of a struggle.....The touch point system that lock in the cord at the waist and the hood seem to work a little better than the Patagonia Super Alpine....the waist seems to be ok, but the hood still seems to come loose with movement.  The hood never bothered me, never was floppy or blowing in the wind.  There is no hood tie down if that's that's your thing.  

By mile four, as expected, I was completely overheated and the coat came off. I don't think most people would choose to run in Gore-Tex, but what a great way to test its breathabilityt!  It packed easily in my running pack, and then it was time to bust out the Patagonia Houdini, the best jacket on EARTH!!!!! (see above).

Ok, these photos don't have anything to do with product testing I just liked them!!  Lower photo is the view from the top.

As I reached the top, temps dropped and clouds moved in.....the trail was snow packed and the unexpected  hail began.....Ok, i'll quit my bitching about the road being closed, I get it!! However, I was very happy to have the Super Cell with me!!  Water beaded, as I would have expected.  And with the cooler temps the jacket felt great.

I also was very happy when I turned the next corner and saw this!!!! (SEE BELOW!). It is still running pretty good, but I bet with cooler temps it will form up pretty quickly  Looks like there is great top access with solid trees, so it is probably even top ropeable!  Let me know when you are ready to go exploring.  I got a rack and ropes!!

In the end, I think the jacket is great and I would certainly recommend it.  The color was great and looks awesome in photos!!!  It fit me perfectly, but like I said I downsized.  I am in agreement with some others, that perhaps the inside of the jacket, on a hot day, won't feel so great against skin.  But if you are looking for something light weight and something to keep you dry, the Super Cell is  not a bad choice.  

PS. I used it the next day on my bike....once again I warmed up pretty well, but the hood fit great over my helmet!!

PSS.  Feel free to comment, disagree, or ask many questions!

Slowing Down for a Moment

Lately it feels like there is never a second to slow down...just trying to get from A to B as fast as possible....but it doesn't have to be that way all the time....a long hungover day at work, ending with warm temps for my bike ride home.....as I approached the monument (the most phallic of all monuments in the area) I noticed a dark patch which gave the structure more substance. I think one of the light-bulbs must have burned out or perhaps its always looked that way and I never noticed....it looked so amazing I had to stop and take a shot!

Mt. Marshall Take Two, And New Lesson's Learned!

First of all, driving approximately two hours to do a "trot" is a very new concept to me...and one, yes, I have certainly struggled and fought tooth and nail with!  Ok, I know I'm not perfect!  Regardless, getting out is what keeps me going, smiling, and centered and therefore I do it!  But when you drive two hours and find the road is closed, well, its a little upsetting!!

Lesson Number One:  Call the number above before you head out Shenandoah National Park!

But luckily I choose my partners VERY wisely!  So as we talked with the ranger trying to figure out our options, Kira said lets do the run you (VLP) suggested that starts outside the park!!  My response, "What??"  Sure enough, there was a side trail that takes you right to the Mount Marshall loop trail! It worked out perfectly.  We were looking to do 20 miles, and the little extra distance pushed the loop up to 17 miles....so only a couple of miles on the road.

Lesson Number Two (Relearned):  Choose your partners wisely.

It was a beautiful run in the woods, and perhaps the most snow I had seen all season, except in Alaska of course!  There was a good three inches on the ground up high, and more coming down!  I thought boot packing only happened up north!

Lesson Number Three:  

Believe the ranger when they say there are good reasons to close the road!

Our first longer run - check, check!  Both of us finishing strong and ready for a car beer, and a massage!
Happy trotting!

The Urban Epic Ski Adventure - Utah Skiing!

Another advantage to living on the East Coast is the easy access to three large, international airports - Dulles, Reagan National, and BWI.  Eric had done a lot of talking about the perfect weekend....direct flight to Salt Lake City and skiing in the afternoon!  So, with Alison's travel planning skills, we made it happen!!  We left town at about 5 AM for our hour taxi ride to Dulles.  We quickly were in our seats and on our 5 hour flight to Utah!  Once there we rented skis at a local shop, had lunch, changed in the car, and were on the slopes by 2 PM.  It was an awesome weekend, with three days of skiing at three different resorts. Thank you Eric & Alison for making it happen and all of the good laughs!!  Enjoy the show!!

Thoughts From a Traditional Healer.

There is so much to be said about the culture, beliefs, and wisdom of the Alaskan Natives.  This was shared to me by an Alaskan Native, Traditional Healer, and one of the best friends in the world, and I felt I should pass it on....Enjoy!

This is how you got to become. Learning to be here and now. We instinctively knew how to do this when we were children and we were busy watching a beautiful butterfly or examining any interesting new aspects of the world.  We were completely absorbed by what we are doing.  We have the capacity to be aware of only that butterfly, that patch of ground or that toy. 


The animal that many have used to symbolize this capacity is the mouse.  Our little mouse sister that’s what she does with her all her tiny being.  Many people can’t do this.  They are always looking to the future or the past.  Or inside or outside or faraway. But seldom to the activity of the present moment. 

The point of power is in the present moment.  Right here and now our minds, it doesn’t matter how long we have negative patterns or an illness or a rotten relationship or lack of finances and self-hater.  We can begin to make a change today.  

Stop for a moment and catch your thoughts.  What are you thinking right now?  If thoughts shape your and experiences would you want this thought to become true for you?  If it is a thought of worry, anger, or hurt or revenge, how do we think this thought will come back to you.  If we want joyous life, then we must think joyous thoughts.  Whatever we send out mentally or verbally will come back to us in like forms.

It is time to listen to the words you say.  If you hear yourself saying something three times, then write it down.  It has become a pattern for you.  At the end of the week, look at the list you have made and you will see how your words fit your experiences.  Be willing to change your words and thoughts and watch your life change.  The way to control your life is to control your choice of words and have no one think in your mind but you.  That’s the first lesson for healing. 

Sugar and Champagne

This was our second year attending Sugar and Champagne, an event sponsored by the Humane Society.  Last year we ate so much we left feeling nauseous, but it was soo good going down we had to make our rounds again this year!!  At least this time we had some experience under our belt so we didn't overeat.....or at least maybe some of us didn't!

Its an all you can eat/drink sorta thing with about 100 of the top pastry chiefs providing samples of some of their most tasty items.  This year there was more champagne and cocktails to wash it down with....yummy!  Its fun to walk around and admire the many dogs that attend as well.....anything from a Bernese to a Shih-Tuz's to pink Poodles!  Can't wait till next year!!

Alison, Eric, Kira (her first event!), Andrew, and Me enjoying the night out!