Billy Goat Trail -

Here's a post that will shine a light on a side of Jeff very few knows exists...the outdoorsy side.  Really, I am not making this up. 

On Friday, April 22nd, the kids had the day off from school and I had off from my various part-time jobs.  Jeff took the day off from work so we could all spend it together.   We were brainstorming things to do and Jeff suggested we do the Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls.  Here is a description of what the 7.8 mile long Billy Goat Trail is:  "The Billy Goat Trail is one of the most well known hikes in the Metro D.C. area, and for good reason. With nearly a mile of fun rock-hopping, and spectacular views of the Potomac River along the way, this circuit is loads of fun with plenty to see. We have the circuit rated as only a for difficulty, but be prepared to jump from rock to rock."  

Please understand Jeff has never done the Billy Goat Trail.  He barely does the milder trails of Great Falls.  And its always a struggle to get him to want to participate in those.  But I think over the years he's seen me regularly hike it and wants to know what all the fuss is about.  Plus, there was a time in the recent past when I had made plans to take the kids on my own, but we woke up and it was raining that day.  Yes, Jeff definitely wanted to see what I will inevitably subject the kids too.

There is a  website that breaks down the trail and describes what to expect.

• Mile 0.0 – From the parking area at Great Falls Park follow the path past the Great Falls Tavern and Visitors Center, cross over to the C&O Canal at Lock 19, then follow the C&O canal down to the entrance for the Billy Goat A Trail 50 yards before the covered Stop Gate.
• Mile 0.9 - Turn right onto the Billy Goat A Trail where shortly it starts paralleling the Potomac River. The Potomac River is approximately 50ft below at this point. From here the trail becomes more of a rock-hop then arrives at Trail Marker 1.
• Mile 1.4 - Trail Marker 1 is the point where the rock-hopping becomes more intense. There is a National Park sign warning hikers that 'Many hikers are injured every year on this section of the Billy Goat A Trail' so be prepared for a little more scrabbling. Between Markers 1 and 2 you also need to climb the 50ft traverse mentioned on the Trail Marker 1 sign. Although this might look slightly intimidating to some people, once on the traverse it's not that difficult.
• Mile 1.9 - From Trail Marker 2 the scrambling diminishes, and the trail descends to the river bank where there is a nice beach area. DO NOT be tempted to wade into the water as the currents are deceptively strong, and you can be quickly washed down stream. Continue along the trail passing a wetland, small pond, then crossing a small log bridge. On the opposite side of the log bridge is Trail Marker 3.
• Mile 2.2 - From Trail Marker 3 there is one more spectacular panorama of the Potomac River before the trail becomes more gentle passing by Sherwin Island and arriving back at the C&O Canal.
• Mile 2.5 - Turn right on the C&O Canal following it for 0.6 miles to the entrance of the Billy Goat B Trail.
• Mile 2.8 - Turn right on the Billy Boat B Trail. The trail is considerably more leisurely than the Billy Goat A Trail, with only a small section of rock-hopping where the trail passes Hermit Island. Where the Potomac River passes Hermit Island is a favorite spot for Paddle Boarders surfing the river wakes. Continue on the trail passing the Marsden Tract Campground, then arrive back at the C&O Canal.
• Mile 4.4 - Now turn left on the C&O Canal heading back towards Great Falls. In 1.1 miles reach the Anglers Parking Area bridge over the C&O Canal.
• Mile 5.5 - Cross the Anglers parking area bridge and ascend the wooden steps to the Berma Rd Trail. Turn left on the Berma Rd Trail for 1.4 miles to the intersection of the white blazed Overlook Spur Trail.
• Mile 6.9 - Turn right uphill on the Overlook Spur Trail for 120 yards to the intersection of the yellow blazed Overlook Trail. Turn Left on the Overlook Trail. You will pass a unmarked side trail to an overlook of Great Falls, then continue to the main overlook at a switchback on the trail. Continue now downhill to the Lock 19 Trail intersection.
• Mile 7.5 - Turn left at the Lock 19 Trail and follow it back down to the main Great Falls Park area. Continue past the Great Falls Tavern and Visitors Center back to the parking area.
• Mile 7.8 - Arrive back at the parking area.

My friends and I always do the first half, going in one entrance and coming out the 2nd, further entrance to make our way back to the car.   It averages to be about 4 miles, plus a little more than a mile added on for the walk from the car and back.  It's an awesome hike with series of challenging climbs on the rocks.  Once you are done, there is nothing like that feeling that you've gotten a great workout and had fun too!

Jeff suggested we go to the 1.4 mile marker and then turn around before it gets too treacherous.  The part leading up to the 1.4 mile marker was awesome.  The kids were loving it.  Jeff was doing a good job hiding his I'm-way-outside-my-comfort-zone,-but-I'm-going-to-hang-in-there-for-the-wife-and-kids-look.  And I had a smile on my face as wide as a mile thrilled we were taking advantage of being outdoors, getting fresh air and exercise. 

Of course, we had on us snacks, drinks and a first aid kit should something happen.  We could get stranded on the Billy Goat Trail for a week and we'd have enough to survive.

We made it to the point where Jeff had determined in advance would be a good spot to turn around.   But we were doing great on time and the kids were having a blast.  So we decided to go bit further and see how "treacherous" it could get.  10 minutes later, Jeff was done with a capital "D".  We turned around and made our way back to the car.   The kids definitely want to come back and do the whole thing.  Jeff has said it will be without him. 

It was a great morning, followed by lunch at Panera Bread. One last hurrah before Passover began that evening. We ended up hiking for about 1.5 hours.  This went better than I could've expected.   Sam was shocked that Jeff was the one who suggested our activity.  And all Ian kept saying was "Thank you for taking us."  

Star Student

In 2nd grade at my kids' school, each student spends one week during the school year being the Star Student.  There are different activities planned each day of the week specifically for the Star Student.  It's a special time that your child gets to enjoy all this extra attention from their teacher and fellow classmates.

At the end of the week, the Star Student gets to take home a beautifully decorated, spiral bound, laminated notebook.  It is filled with a page from each student in their class and the teacher.   The classmates draw a picture and each write several sentences about what makes that Star Student special.

Sam was Star Student right after Spring Break.  When she came home with her notebook, I was blown away by what Sam's fellow students wrote about her.  Apparently, one boy thanked her for standing up to a bully he was having a problem with.  (Huh?  Just let that last sentence sink in for minute.)   And another student called her "courageous".  A few students said she was very funny and loved that she kept them laughing all day long.  Another boy described her pretty like a rainbow and said she is queen.  It was very amusing to see how these kids view Sam.  All of the comments were incredibly cute, amusing and so endearing.

Reading the pages in this notebook had me thinking two thoughts:  1. Wow, what an awesome little girl Sam is.  And 2., Why can't we get more of this version of her at home?

Heard and Observed #57

Something happened a few weeks ago that I desperately wish I had kept my big mouth shut until I got my camera and took a picture.  But nooooooooooooooooooo, I had to say something and ruin a perfectly good Kodak moment.  One of those pictures that you would look back on for years and still get a good chuckle.

Here's what I missed out taking a picture of and can only describe to the best of my ability:  During a recent Saturday morning, we were getting ready to go to services at our synagogue. Ian came downstairs wearing his dress shirt inside-out.  Now, he regularly puts on his t-shirts backwards and doesn't realize it.  We are used to this and for some reason, it happens more than not.  But this particular shirt Ian put on inside-out was an amazing act of indifference and obliviousness on his part.  Why?  Because he somehow managed to button all the buttons going down the front of the shirt!  Crazy, right?  This is where a picture would be worth a 1,000 words. 

How in the world was he able to button his shirt like that??   Jeff and I each first saw Ian dressed at the same time. Jeff immediately went over to Ian to help fix his collar, which was all tucked in.  I instantly looked at Ian and made a comment questioning why the strip of material that has the buttons down the front wasn't laying flat.  Once we realized what Ian had done, we burst out laughing.  I tried to get to my camera, but wasn't fast enough before Ian ran back up stairs to correct his shirt.

It was the most bizarre looking thing you'd ever seen.  Next time (I'm sure there will be one!  Ian is only 10 years old), I will have learned my lesson and go for the camera first.

Writing

It's been a while since I've written this blog with any kind of regularity. It's strange how something that has taken up so much of my time in the past is now on the back burner.  Each day has become more of a passing thought on what I should write about.  Keeping this blog going was a great outlet for me and allowed me to express myself in a way that I needed.  When I was frustrated, mad, happy, proud, excited, and sad, I could write it all down and move on, so to speak.  I love having a journal of our adventures, experiences, and even every day moments recorded.  Life easily becomes a blur of activity and I appreciate the ability to look back and see what we were experiencing when.  There is an awesome feature on Facebook that shows you what posts from past years that you posted on this exact day.  It's amazing to see how far we've come (the potty training saga!!) or how little has changed (sleep issues!!).   This blog serves a very similar capacity as the "On this day..." posts.

These past few months have been non-stop action.  Between the food preparation I do on Sundays to get me thru the week, working out consistently every morning (either my boot camp class or running), working my 3 jobs, keeping up with the kid's activities and being a mom/wife/friend/daughter/sister is exhausting. Getting a healthy, well-rounded, home-cooked dinner on the table each night should be considered a full time job in itself!  Please understand, I am not complaining; not in the least.  I am truly blessed to have the life I have and love that I can do what I do for Jeff and the kids.  It's all good things that has me going, going, going.  I guess if something has to make room for the other stuff to happen, it's writing this that will be the sacrifice.

There is still so much I have to say, but unfortunately I don't see myself writing a new entry every other day like I had been.  Maybe there will be a point in the future when I can go back to writing more, but for the time being, it isn't today, or tomorrow, or next week. That's just got to be ok. 

Spring Break beach bound

Our Spring Break this year has been relatively mild and very easy-going.  On Monday, we packed up our friend's minivan and headed to Ocean City, MD.  Our group included 5 kids (my 2, her 3), me and Susanne, and their 5 month old puppy, Bernie.   We are always up for a good adventure, even when we are on the beach with 50 degree, very chilly weather.   This might not be everyone's idea of a good time, but the beach is my happy place.  And, I have a feeling for our friends too.  We are not wimps when it comes to enjoying the beach while being bundled up. 

For 3 days we did all the touristy beach town type activities without the scorching heat or the summer crowds.  Ocean City. MD was pretty much deserted but that didn't stop us.

The kindness of Keith:
Keith is the guy who runs the Boardwalk Bike shop.  What a nice guy!  What a great find!
Ian got super excited when he saw a surrey go by on the boardwalk. He loves when we rent a surrey in Ocean City, NJ during our summer beach trip with our cousins.  He was thrilled when he asked the guy who operates the bike and surrey business if he could be the one to drive it and Keith said it was up to me and Susanne.  The surrey places in OC, NJ require you to be at least 12 years or older.  It made Ian's day to be the one to steer all 7 of us, plus the dog as we made our way down the boardwalk.   We had that surrey packed like a can of sardines.  I don't believe it is recommended to have 7 humans and one large-sized puppy, but we did it!  Once we figured out the best spot for Bernie was in the basket up front, it made for a smoother ride. 

When we returned the surrey, some of our kids were sitting in these recumbent bikes (called a Banana Peel) that were parked in the store front.  Keith said the kids could take them for a spin and try them out.  The kids LOVED these bikes.  It was like we let bugs loose on the boardwalk. It was so funny and adorable.  I think Keith understood the need for these kids to burn off some of their excessive energy.   40 minutes later, we returned the bikes and headed back to the condo we were staying in.

Calling Madonna!
For lunch on Wednesday, we happened to find a restaurant called "Fat Daddy's" to eat.  It was the kind of place where you put the order in at the counter, find a table to sit at, and then they call you over the speaker system to come pick up the food.  As the guy was asking me what my name was so that he could announce when my order was ready, I told him "Robyn".  However, I followed it up with a quick story to Susanne that whenever we went to a place like this as a kid, my mom would have some fun and give the name "Cher" or "Madonna".   Of course, the whole restaurant is going to look up when they hear the name "Cher" being announced to come get their food.

Susanne and I each put our orders in and joined the kids at the table.  Approx. 10 minutes later, I hear "Madonna" on the speaker system.  Susanne's order got announced as "Beyonce".   It definitely put a smile on our faces and made us giggle.  


Go-Karting for the win!
Our kids love a good go-kart race.  We managed to find one where everyone could drive their own go-kart as long as they were 8 years old and 52 inches.  Unfortunately, Sam fell short about 2 inches and was able to ride in Dagan's car.

Bernie's first time at the beach
Due to Ocean City being off-season, we were able to bring Bernie on the beach with us.  It was his first time experiencing the sand.  He loved it!!  He had a great time digging and running.  It was neat to see him have so much fun being free.

Throw in some outlet shopping and several hours on the beach on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I'd say you have a recipe for some fun days away. 

You just can't go on the boardwalk and not have ice cream! 

A particularly lovely Saturday

This past Saturday ended up being a fantastic day!!  From start to finish, it had all the elements on how I like a weekend day to play out. 

Saturdays mark the end of another week in the training program I am doing to get back to running a 5k.  I took my run/walk outdoors and got it done early in the morning.  By 9:15am, I picked up my friend Jen and we hiked the Billy Goat Trail.  Oh what fun!  It's such great exercise and climbing over the rocks (without falling) is always a good challenge for me.  On the way back, we stopped at Panera Bread for lunch.  Yum!

Meanwhile, Jeff did our weekly grocery shopping at Wegman's.   After the groceries were put away, he and the kids cleaned the house.  Woo-hoo!!

I made it home in time to take a quick shower and load up the car with the family.  We went to a 3:25pm showing of "Zootopia".  Finally, a movie was playing that Sam wanted to see.  This is rare!  Afterwards, we had reservations for dinner at Wildfire at 6:15pm.  This is one of my favorite restaurants.  The whole family loves it.  We don't go often, but when we do, it is guaranteed to be delicious!  We even followed dinner with a walk around Tyson's Galleria.

In my opinion this is the perfect day!  It involved lots of fresh air, wonderful exercise, great food and a good mix of time spent with a friend and time spent with the family.  I love it when this combination of events happen.   And the movie wasn't bad either.  :)
 

Heartwarming.

Ian's 5th grade class finally took a field trip. Their destination?  Medieval Times.  Yes, the place where they put on a big show full of knights riding horses, complete with jousting and eating all your food without utensils.  Oh, what fun!  Right away Ian asked me if I was going to volunteer to be a chaperone.  Um, no.  Not if it involves me sitting on a bus for 1.5 hours there and another 1.5 hours back.  I've learned my lesson two years ago on the kindergarten field trip when a child threw-up (repeatedly) two rows in front of me and it slid to my row on the floor of the bus.  Ugh!   Between the smell, the sun beating down on me, and the bus lurching back and forth in stop and go traffic, I didn't ever need to put myself in that position again.

Ian was fine with me not going.  From what he told me, there were 15 parent volunteer forms turned in the first day asking to fill the one spot available for his class.  It wasn't until the mom of one of the girls in Ian's class sought me out a few weeks later and asked if I wanted to go with her and we could drive on our own, that I considered this a win-win in attending the field trip.  I got to drive (in my own car!!!  With my own AC blowing on me!!  With my radio tuned to the Billy Joel channel on SiriusXM!!  With a fellow mom in the passenger seat to keep me company!!) and I still got to see Ian enjoy the field trip.  Yes!!  I'd love to go!  And I'd love to drive us! 

I was going to keep it a secret, let the teacher know I would be there (it was an option for parents to go on their own) and surprise Ian by showing up.  Jeff thought that was a terrible idea and advised strongly against it.  I could not be more surprised than when I told Ian I was going and he asked me to sit next to him at the Medieval Times table.  What???   Really?  Ian wants me to sit next to him????   He's in 5th grade!  You could knock me over with a feather!   Instantly my heart melted and I was so excited that I had decided to give up my normally flexible Friday to get things done and make my way to Arundel Mills where Medieval Times is located. 

It is mandatory that all the kids have to take the bus to get to the field trip.  But Kathy and I were able to spring the kids free and let them drive home with us.  We signed them out at the end of the program and they could not be happier to dodge the last 1.5 hours of school and have an early dismissal.  I know I would've loved having a parent do that for me. 

All in all, it was great experience.  The kids LOVED Medieval Times.  I am still not completely convinced this ties in a whole lot to what they are studying, but it certainly is a fun place to take a group of kids.  The best part was the knight for our section (out of 6 sections) won the whole jousting competition.  Personally, I think it was because we had the loudest cheering section. 

There were other parents who attended that sat at their own table with some of the teachers.  So I consider it pretty special that Ian still finds it to be cool to be seen with his mom.  He actually had me sit in between him and his best friend.  Aw, I love that.  I know this won't always be the case, so I will cherish it while it lasts.

Our Knight who won the competition!