Kira's Lake House Weekend

It was an AMAZING weekend, with AMAZING people....We packed it all in --  boating, cooking, water skiing, and some good old fashion chilling!  Super nice to get out of town, exciting to get on water skis, and really nice to spend some time with some really great people.  Looking forward to Kira getting back from Africa so we can do it all again!!!

Ito Jakuchu - Bird & Flower Silk Scroll Paintings

Ito Jakuchu in 1755 devote himself exclusively to Zen meditation and painting. He spent nearly a decade on the scrolls and once said that it would take 200 years for his works to be understood.  Each of the 30 scrolls was very different from the next -  a mix of peonies, butterflies, roosters, octopus, and fish. The detail just amazing!

The exhibit was held at the National Gallery of Art - "Colorful Realm of Living Beings."   I found the exhibit incredibly beautiful, inspiring, and meditative.  Certainly something I could have looked at for hours, and still not have take it all in.....!

Just Another Run in the Hood!

I have not blogged much about living on The Hill and that should really change ('The Hill" is local slang for saying you live in the area known as Capitol Hill).  The other day I was out on my usual run and decided to take some photos and thought it was worthy enough to blog about.....!

  My run is basically a square - over one bridge, turn right run straight,turn right over second bridge, turn right run straight, and you are back where you started.  The shot above was taken from the other side of the river.  Pretty good shot of the Navy Yards and the big ship that is housed there.

They have built up the water front area, and did an amazing job!  The turtles are digging it too!

This was an unusual scene that I just happened to run across, and of course had to stop and check it out!  Interesting music was playing while these girls splashed around in the water.  Later to find out they were acting out a local love story.  I didn't stick around to the end, but was impressed with how many people turned out to watch.

And of course, the men in uniform that are practicing for the Friday Night Parade....which certainly will be a future blog post all of its own!!! 

 There you go!  Highlights of my local in-town run!!!!

Maurice Sendak 1928 - 2012

Where the Wild Things Are will forever be one my favorite books!  

Thank you for letting my imagination run wild and helping me to build the creative energy I feel within!

“There must be more to life than having everything.”

Maurice Sendak

Happy Birthday Kitties!

Thank you for bringing soo much unconditional love into my life and turning me into a crazy cat lady!! 

Happy year number one!!

Let's Play Ball!

Baseball season is here again and with our house located less than a mile from the stadium its hard to resist....plus I have a thing for hot-dogs and beer and the Nats are doing really well this year!  This was the first time I had ever used the bike valet at the stadium, which makes the experience even more interesting!  Road signs make it super easy to follow.  Really cool this crew of folks are so supportive of using bikes a form of transportation!

Space Shuttle Discovery Makes its way to DC

I know the above photo looks fake, but it's not!  They moved the Discovery Space Shuttle from Houston (I think) to DC via aircraft.  The set up above flew over the DC area in a very low air-flight pattern and was easily seen and heard by the human eye!  Andrew's office building in Herndon, Virginia had one of the best views as it over looks the Dulles airport where it landed.  For more info check out the article the latest article in Gizmodo .

The Best Part of Working Overnights

The Art of Video Gaming -- American Art Museum Exhibit

I was the kid who spent more time than I should have in front of the TV playing video games.....I will never forget my mom taking me to Super K (although that's not what it was called back then) to purchase my very first Atari with my allowance money. If I remember correctly it came with one cartridge called Combat, but I really wanted Frogger! When my Mom said she would buy me the extra game, I was the happiest girl on Earth!!

As I got older, this obsession then moved to Arcades -- where I would further continue to spend all of my allowance money on Centipede, Space Invaders, and Galaga.  Somewhere in there, there was a pause, and later in life I once again got back in the game, and quickly fell in love with Tekken!

I guess that was more information than you really needed to know, as the point of this post is to let you know how cool this exhibit, The Art of Video Gaming Exhibit,  is!!  My friend Bennett and I headed over to the American Art Museum in Chinatown to check it out.  With lots of video game history, original games showcased, and a huge Pac-Man game that you can actually play -- you really can't go wrong.  I really enjoyed the following quote:

Three Voices

Artist, Game, Player

Video games combine grapics, sound, story, and interaction to create meaningful and immersive expereinces.  Imaginative artists and designers use this medium to create worlds and tell their stories.  None of this is possible, however, without the participation of the player.  Everyone who plays a game puts a little of themselves into the experience, and takes away something that is wholly unique.  this conversation among the game, the artist, and the player is critical to understanding video games as art.

The show will be travelling internationally, and is here till September 30th.  My only complaint was it I just it ended all to soon!  So, if your looking for something to do, go check it out!

http://www.americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/

Difficult Run - The Last Weekend Before the 50!

I'm behind on my blog posts, so at this time I can congratulate Kira on her HUGE accomplishment of completing the Bull Run 50 miler !!  Congratulations Kira, you did it!!  And in fine style!!  Also, a huge thank you to everyone who went to cheer her on.....50's are not easy, and it is soo nice to have someone there....even if its for a brief second.  I will forever wish we could have done it together, but that just leaves room for more crazy adventures in the future!

So, Difficult Run!  Its this little mini green space of pleasure that spans for miles and miles and miles....with rolling hills, dirt trails, huge trees, and surprisingly few people that will take you all the way from Reston to Great Falls.  (12 miles in one direction).

Our day began in Reston with the goal to run to Great Falls and back.  The biggest issue is there are not a lot of directions out there, and with a lot of spur trails, its pretty easy to get a little lost.....The best advice I can give is when you cross the road at the highway, actually cross the highway and turn right.  At the end of the road the trail will pick up again and that is the trail you need to be on to make it to Great Falls.

Another amazing day...temps are still warming up, but what an amazing fall....and once again, another HUGE congratulations to Kira!!  YOU DID IT!

Happy 41st Birthday to Me!

Yes, I turned 41 today, and to be honest I'm not really sure how I feel about that, or how I am supposed to feel about that....except my usual, embracing it with every ounce of energy I have inside!!  The Daily Om today reads, "One of the easiest and nicest gifts you can give to yourself is surrounding yourself with loving and kind people whenever possible", and I feel that is exactly how I have spent the day!  Thank you all for your birthday messages, phone calls, and thoughts....and more than anything thank you for being a part of my life and accepting me for who I am!  LOVE YOU ALL!

The Jumping Huber's Duo

It was a quick lazy visit with the Huber's, but certainly a fun visit nonetheless!  We headed over to the tidal basin to perhaps catch a peek at any lasting cherry blossoms and a ride in the paddle boats.

Unfortunately, the blossoms were gone, and the line for the paddle boats was over an hour.  So that just left us in the position of doing so relaxing and taking many, many, many jump shots!  I know adults get a little tired of my overly enthusiastic excitement for jump shots.....Lucky for me these kids went all day long!!

There were so many good ones it was hard to choose the best one!  Max would do a different spin, look, position for each shot!  It was hilarious!  Izzy of course had it figured out in no time!  Looking forward to their next visit! (and more jump shots!)

Mount Marshall

Each run now takes us one step closer to the day of the 50 mile Bull Run race.  Unfortunately, at this time I also know that due to a work conflict, I'm not going to be able to to do the race....It makes me sad. Yet, I also know, that for me, its just about getting outside and the friendship you make a long the way.

Mount Marshall.  Still one of my favorites in the Shenandoah's.  Its cool to go back and repeat something you have done -- shows you progress, tells you if your stronger, and just makes you feel comfortable as you know you can do it!  (we finished 30 minutes faster this time)

No snow this time!  And spring was certainly in the air!  Beautiful views from the top!  Of course the day was followed up by some of the best burgers in the area!!  We had to get a photo this time!

The link below will give you more info on how to get there.  You can also start inside the park, and that will cut off some of the distance!  (13 miles instead of 20.)

DC United Playing Strong!

The first soccer game for us this season, and what a game it was!  DC United winning against FC Dallas 4 - 1. Cooler temps made it a great walk to RFK, and the company couldn't be beat!  Can't wait till the next game!

100 Years of Blooming Cherry Blossom's -- Thank you Japan for making this my favorite week ever in the District of Columbia!

When the cherry blossom are blooming I might actually tell you I enjoy living in the District!  It is pure magical enjoyment.  Such a special time of the year, that doesn't last that long....your lucky if they stick around for a week, as they are so easily damaged by wind and weather.

With our temps being so warm this winter they bloomed two weeks early!  A bummer as they had a huge festival scheduled to celebrate the 100 Anniversary of the trees that were given to the U.S. as a gift from Japan.  Our photos (Andrew got an A+ for his photo skills), still don't do it justice.....just something you have to experience! Please come visit next year so you too can experience the beauty of the tidal basin in all of its glory!

Happy St. Patrick Day

Thompson's Wildlife Management Area - Sky Meadows Link-Up

Another long day out!  Today we skipped the Shennandoah's and headed towards Linden, Virginia (about an hour drive from DC).  Another link-up -- Thompson's Wildlife Management Area and Sky Meadows State Park.  We ran into a man in the parking lot that said in May the flowers bloom like crazy (see photo below).  It looked like they were already starting!

Temps were warm, in the 80's, so staying hydrated was difficult.  We spent some time on the Appalachian Trail which was cool.  It was certainly a beautiful area with rolling hills.  There wasn't as much elevation gain as we have had in the Shennandoah's, so that was a very nice change!!  We did these two areas as a link-up, but either on their own would be great.  Sky Meadows, hence the name, had a huge beautiful meadow, which I had never seen before.  Also, note to self, there are a ton of wineries in the area which do tastings, and often have a place to eat.....trotting and eating and wine....life doesn't get much better!!!

And perhaps the best part of the day was a stop at this little local place in Linden, Virginia.  The Applehouse, a supply place for folks traveling up the AT, looked like amazing BBQ, and the best part of all were there apple donuts!  For more details on the run see below!  

St. Patrick's Day was an Awesome Day, So it gets a Couple Extra Pic's!

Perhaps one of the best jump shots ever taken!  Maybe it was the pre-race jitters that lifted everyone off the ground so gracefully!  And I can understand why, as most of the folks in this shot decided to join in the racing fun about an hour before it started!  Off the couch racing in fine style!

This was Keegan's first race!

 The boys started off strong, while the girls moved forward slow and steady! Everyone rocked it, as we all finished under 30 minutes!  Emma won for girls ages 16 and under!

Everyone still smiling at the finish!

 Stacy super proud of Emma, and Mick, well, perhaps he had the hardest go of us all....If you caught him at the right time you would have seen more than one kiddo in that stroller!!  Congratulations to all!!

The Greenbrier - An Extraordinary Place to Spend the Weekend!

WOW, WOW!  Yep, this one definitely gets a WOW, WOW!  It took me about a day to digest this place!  I have never seen so many busy "Laura Ashley" - like patterns, with fanciful contrasting colors -- it was amazing -- and it was EVERYWHERE -- from the floors to the ceilings, from the walls to the couch, chairs, tables!!  Once again, Alison did her travel magic and had the weekend booked with all kinds unique activities for us to do!  Below is a photo of the bedroom. I was relieved to not find wallpaper on the ceiling!!  The curtains, with its fine detail, contrasting pinks, and beautiful heavy silk (??) material, was my personal favorite!

We went skeet shooting in the morning (maybe my favorite!!), followed by an afternoon at the spa!  Alison and I rallied for  a little trail run that gave you great views of the resort from above.  We also did a tour of the extra large bunker that was built during the Cold War, and is housed under the resort.  Below, Eric and Alison strike a pose at the hidden wall/door that grants you access inside.  We had an amazing dinner at the restaurant, followed by a night at the casino, in which Alison won big on the penny slots!

In the future there will be a dinner train that runs from DC to the Greenbrier, which sounds like a great way to get there.  It is about a five hour drive from the city to White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia, home to The Greenbrier.  And if you drive make sure you watch out for cops!  Till the next adventure, and another HUGE thank you to Alison for making it all happen!  Where are we going next??

Product Testing: Patagonia Merino 1 Silkweight T-Shirt. And Another Amazing Day Out - Hazel Mountain/Buck Hollow Link Up

Patagonia product testing day - Patagonia Merino 1 Silkweight T-Shirt

IT'S THE BEST

(I am on the right)

                PRO:  Wicks and dries better than anything I have ever used!

                           Super soft, and very lightweight

               CON:   It pilled against my hydration pack!! BUMMER!  

                           (Keep in mind we "trot" so perhaps that helped to speed the pilling process along).
                           Wish they had better color choices (not bad, but not great).

               OVERALL:  I have officially recycled all of my lightweight capilene, and have ordered all new
                                    Merino 1 in every color -- short sleeve and long sleeve.

It is always this big debate at Patagonia on fabric base-layer choices -- capilene versus wool.  Capilene is  cheaper, synthetic, and sometimes people have an odor issue with the fabric (although Patagonia has made a lot of progress with this issue over the last couple of years).  Wool is more expensive, a natural fiber, and some say it feels itchy (Patagonia wool is no longer 100% wool.  They have added a small amount of spandex into the fabric to prevent it from running).  

Rule of thumb, natural fibers do a better job???  My take is the wool keeps me warmer, but doesn't keep me dry like the capilene.  I find that my heavier wools stay pretty wet and take a longer time to dry.  Not so great for stop and go travel. Perhaps the system of choice is a wool base layer with a capilene layer on top.....A system that would keep you warm as well as pull the moisture off of you. (But you should try it out yourself, others may have varying opinions)

But now....the Merino 1 has finally entered my life!!!  When I first saw the Merino 1, I was a little hesitant (see paragraph above), but loved the way it felt and knew I needed to try it.  And I'm sooooo glad I did!!  I fell in love with the product in the first 10 minutes!!  It did an amazing job pulling sweat from my body when we were charging up hill, but as we neared the top and began heading down, within minutes the sweat seemed to have disappeared.....magic!

I am bummed about the pilling, and not sure what to do about that, as I almost always run with some sorta pack.  Regardless, I like the way the fabric works way too much to worry about the pilling!  So, enough on the Patagonia Merino 1.  Check it out for yourself and let me know your thoughts!!  And now a quick re-cap of the day out!

 

Well, the photo above says it all!  An amazing day out, as my recovery beverages (water w/Cytomax, and a Natural Light) cool in a nearby river....I leave feeling exhausted after the super-steep ups and downs.....Warmer temps threw in a new challenge....and a reminder that summer temps are not too far way.   Once again, the beautiful scenery made the two-hour drive worthy....not to mention yet another stop at The Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, VA!   The best burgers ever!!  Kira, as always, rocked it and made the adventure that much more fun!!!  Check out the GPS map below for more info!!