The Day I Almost Ate Kira - Piney Branch to Jeremy's Run SNP

Link-Up's I love them, but you never really know what your getting yourself into until you are in the middle of it!! In short, we linked up the Piney Branch Trail (which you can access inside or outside of SNP) with Jeremy's run (access inside the park only, I think).  For actual route info, distance, etc check out the GPS data at the bottom of this post!

It was a BEAUTIFUL February spring day, and if I could have run naked I probably would have!  Just kidding, but we did take off layers within the first 10 minutes and for the first time this year I was wishing for my running skirt!

Jeremey's Run was awesome, and I would highly recommend it for a day hike!  You follow the river for miles and cross it multiple times.  The shot above was the best shot of the day!  Crossing the river slowed us down a bit, but it made the trip even more exciting! (ok, maybe its all my photographing that slows us down.....hmmmm.)

Linking the two routes/trails (24 miles-ish) made it a great day for elevation gain.  My GPS says 4,380 ft (impressive for an east coast day), but Kira needs to double check me on that one.  It was a day in which I felt like we were always going up.....When the sun began to set (photo above), and my stomach was growling, I was ready to be back at the car!!

Kira, as always, finished strong! It is always fun to come out in the dark and have a car beer nicely chilled in the river waiting for you....and cheese of course, lots of it!  Without those things, it was a possibility that I would have eaten Kira!  We stopped at a local spot for one of the best burgers I have had in awhile - the Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, VA....highly recommend it!

If your checking out the Garmin info below, zoom and look at the split times....It must have turned on after I stopped it, but all the info you need is there!  See you on the trails!

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!

Occupy D.C. Takes over McPherson Square

Occupy D.C. has certainly taken over McPherson Square!  It was an interesting experience walking through the square, as people have really set up camp.  Some tents are selling books, while others are selling camping supplies and food.  Martha's Table (an organization that helps to feed people in need) was set up on the corner offering meals.......??  

Protest or homeless shelter?

I went to the Occupy D.C.website to understand a little better what they are trying to occupy and this is what I found:

Occupy DC is a nonviolent occupation of public space in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and Occupy movements everywhere. We are a grassroots movement empowering the 99% to have a say in returning the country to a just political and economic system. We are not a political party nor are we affiliated with any political party. This is a peoples movement led by a democratic system with the goal to restore social and economic justice.

Check this out for more info http://occupydc.org/

There must have been well over 100 tents, and I saw a sign that suggested they had been there for over 200 days....??  I know it is growing, and am curious how big it might get!  If you took away the political signs and added some climbing gear, I would say I was walking through Camp 4 in Yosemite - blue tarps blowing in the wind, people scattered throughout, an odd smell lingering in the air......
I'm going to leave the post at that, as my intent is to share with you things that are apart of my daily life, not to make a political statement!  Enjoy the Show!

D.C. Street Art in the Making.

I am certainly not one to ask about the history of D.C. street art, when it started, or who is doing it.....but I can tell you it is here....you just have to keep your eyes open, and slow down a bit to find it.  

I was one of the ones inspired by the Banksy movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop."  I still don't know much the technique and media that are used, but I do love the idea behind it, the artist presentation, and how it can easily change the aesthetics of my every day life.  The little stenciled guy above is one of my favorites......He is scattered across the streets in the city, but I only seem to notice him when I'm on my bike!

So, keep your eyes out!  I am sure there is more to come!

D.C. Chinese New Year Celebration

The Friendship Arch, a Chinese tradition, marks the entrance into China Town, a quick bike ride from our house!  It being the Year of the Dragon, it was sure to be an amazing celebration!  I think most of D.C. thought the same thing, as there were thousands and thousands of people there!  Including this super cute little girl (see below) with her super cool little dragon!

The crowds began to push us forward, but we really had no idea what was about to happen.  Soon enough, multiple dragons appeared followed by lots and lots of firecrackers!  There were so many people it was difficult to see,,,,but we got a glimpse here and there!  

For whatever reason I truly am fired up for the new year..... The Year of the Dragon is believed to bring success and happiness and intuition is telling me it's going to be a good one!  

Appalachian Trail: Chester Gap to Harper's Ferry

If you are reading this post, then you most likely know me well enough to know I love endurance activities!  I love long days out, I love pushing myself, and love, love, love being exhausted at the end of the day....And it makes the beer taste even better!  So, when Kira said she wanted to do a 50 I said sure!

And for some reason I never get tired of this view....keeping pace, following steps, just moving.....it some how simplifies things and lets your mind wander!

We had a BEAUTIFUL day out....cooler temps with snow flurries all day.  There was this crazy "snow/ice" build up on the trees....like little hairs or some sort of strange horfrost....delicate and beautiful.  The trail was snow packed and awesome for running.  We didn't make it the 54 miles to Harper's Ferry, but  did do an out and back.

I only hope Kira doesn't get tired of all the photos I take during our outside adventures!!  And, Kira, thanks for the motivation, conversation, and commitment!!!  More details on the trail below!

Today 34 °F Ice Pellets

Today in Washington, DC they are calling for a 100% chance of Ice Pellets.  Can anyone explain to me what the hell an ice pellet is???  I have heard the words 'hail' and 'sleet', but never ice pellet.  I took a couple of steps outside and there seems to be a hard think layer with a little bit of actual snow underneath.  I think it's a good metro day and it makes me wish I had bought those Hunter boots I've been eyeing.   I am certain it will be an interesting weather day, and one I will learn from!  It does make me smile and my heart glow to wake up and see the ground covered....!!

Mount Marshall - Shenandoah National Park

As per usual, I've been super itchy to get out!  And with having such a warm winter its been a perfect time to hit the trails!  Bennett had the day off and was game, so off we went! From Washington, DC, it is about an hour and fifteen minute drive to Front Royal, Virginia which is located at the entrance to Shenandoah National Park.  There is a small parking lot at milepost 15.9 on Skyline Drive....pretty easy to find.

Within the first 10 minutes of the hike we ran into this huge doe!  As we got closer she ran into the woods, but we could see she was not alone.

The temps were in the low thirty's and the sun was shining....Perfect weather for a day out.  This hike was a loop in which you hit two summits, North & South Marshall.  Once you reach the top of North Marshall you walk along a ridge with amazing views of the valley below.  There are also great camping spots along the way if you were looking to do an overnight!  You might want to bring bear spray as we did see some bear scat....It wasn't steaming, so I think we were in the clear!

I love these shots....Bennett during the day, and Bennett at night!  I need to work on my math skills, as I underestimated the length of the hike by about a mile.  We made it back to the car before we needed headlamps, but it was getting close!

See below for more route data!  Thanks again Bennett for coming along (and for going back for the guidebook!!).  Hope to do it again soon!

It Truly was an Amazing Whistler Blackcomb Vacation

It really was an amazing week.  We had a little bit of fresh snow just about everyday until the end when the clouds lifted and the mountains reviled themselves!  Just amazing!  I would love to come back to this area and explore.  The back country just looks sick!!  Andrew was making turns on blues and officially has given up snowboarding and calls himself a skier.  Ryan and Sherrie just made the trip extra fun!!  We enjoyed playing spades at night  (I won't mention who won) and hangovers in morning!  Would head back that way in a heartbeat!  Enjoy the slide show!

Sunday, The Lords Day of Rest in Whistler

We skied for three days, and we were  feeling pretty wrecked, so decided to go to town and do some exploring!  We first thought this was the Olympic Flame, but than realized it had an on/off switch....bummer!  The Olympic rings in the back were pretty cool.  

I love this shot!!
This is exactly what an east coaster feels like when they ski on the west coast....WRECKED!!
Super cute restaurants in town made it difficult to pick.....
this one specialized in yummy Belgian Waffles!

ahhhh, I love rest days!  And I don't even watch football!

Andrew feeling rejuvenated as we headed back to town for massages and a Fire and Ice show!  Unfortunately no great photos of the show....It was pretty cool to watch skiers and snowboards do all their crazy tricks while women dressed in tight one-pieces hula hooped with fire rings -- very interesting!

We met back up with Sherrie and Ryan and like all rest days, we continued to eat!!