I always get questions about what I do with all of my time off from work. Well, besides what I call the "errands of life", I try to get out and do a little local OmManeuvering.
I caught up with the Chens for a little post trip debriefing at Lyon Hall in Clarendon. Of course it was hotter than blazes out but check out the "appetizers" we had for brunch:
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| As I recall, it was clockwise from left, strawberry, blueberry, vanilla and chocolate crunch donuts. They were terrible, just give me yours and I'll take care of them for you. |
Another operation was moving T to Charm City. It was one of the most organized "friend moves" I've ever done, but then again I would expect nothing less from these group of guys. Sadly, we didn't get to Miss Shirley's or Woodberry Kitchen, but they are on the list for next time. And with T living up there, all the more reason to get back up there.
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| The most difficult part of the move. |
Another local OM was a recon trip to J's property in WV. We left early on a Sunday and stopped in Front Royal, VA. With the help of Yelp (!) we navigated to, I kid you not, L' Dees Pancake House. It sounded great, but they were on vacation for a couple of weeks. Luckily on the way in to town, we passed the Knotty Pine Restaurant, so we navigated back and settled in to a booth with the early Sunday crowd. J spotted the fly repellant water bags over the doorway. Have you seen this before? I had, but J asked the waitress and no lie, she said "something about the water dazzles the flies' eyes". Funny thing is, that was exactly what I was told we it was first explained to me! Despite that faulty logic, the food was great.
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| That's a Western Omelet. Check out them home fries! |
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| Sadly, no pictures of the anti fly devices. |
After the Knotty Pine, we advanced to WV where we proceeded to recon the property. After several hours of thrashing about the woods and having a thoroughly awesome time. We did a little local area recon before winding up at
Trout Pond. Located in the GW National Forest, it is billed as WV's only natural lake. We walked down to the nearby lake that looked inviting. Reading the map board, there was a notation about "Geologic Hazards: Sinkholes. Only View from Above". Huh? What?
We walked around this big sinkhole and then tromped around the woods looking for Trout Pond. After several minutes of interpreting the sign, we found the big sinkhole we walked around was actually the Trout Pond. In small type at the bottom of the sign it said "sinkhole activity may affect Trout Pond". No kidding.
After the disappearing Trout Pond, we made our way back to Wardensville where we found respite at the Lost River Brewing Company. Unfortunately they didn't have their liquor license from the State of West Virginia yet. All was not lost though, we had a draft along with some homemade pork rinds. Mmm, mmm good.
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| Stop in there and get you some! |
I just got back from a Maneuver to Frederick and Braddock Heights, Maryland. With Mom and Sister free for the summer, we decided to check out some of the interesting local spots. As is usual for the GFAT, we didn't get going until shortly before noon, so we headed in to down town Frederick for lunch. On north Market Street we found
Firestone's Culinary Tavern. Neat interior ambiance paired with a balcony that overlooks Market Street works very well. I had a grilled salmon sandwich that was really very good, but I made a tactical error. I had way too much of the outstanding Maryland Crab Dip. That would come back to haunt me later.
After walking off too much lunch (and a Ben and Jerry's chocolate milkshake, which also would haunt me later) we found the Carroll Creek promenade. A really beautiful urban landscape.
Once in the car we made our way to Braddock Heights, which is a nice historic cottage community. With a storm building in the Middletown valley, we left a little early, but with intentions of coming back again.
After making our way back home, Sister and I geared up for our running class. About halfway in to our timed run, I really regretted the wonderful Maryland Crab Dip and the chocolate shake. Mercifully I kept it together, even when we ran the bleacher stairs!
No pictures from this latest adventure, but I'm going to keep this blog going with occasional entries on my varied adventures. OM out!
