Well spring is still NOT HERE but it’s the famous
cherry blossom time here in DC and they are reaching peak bloom now. The annual
cherry blossom 10mile (16k) run was on today and I was not looking forward to
another freezing cold morning run. It was meant to be shorts weather, not
beanies and gloves again. The forecast was for snow but thankfully that died off yesterday. We carpooled with some friends to make logistics
easier and Deb once again came along to carry our coats once we de-robed to
run. She took shelter in a nearby Starbucks as she waited for us all to come back.
The sun came out for the run and it was actually a little warmer than expected
so it was good weather to run as far as cold weather goes. I think there were
around 20,000 runners so it was quite packed all the way along the route.
Suprisingly the course was wide enough to allow fairly minimal dodging and I
took the time to ‘smell the roses’….look at the pretty cherry blossom trees as
the course wound it’s way through DC around the memorials. I did see two great
signs….You Run Better Than The Government, and Why Do All The Cute Ones Run
Fast? There was also a little table setup by random people to give away shots
of beer and oreos!! And people were
drinking it !!! There were heaps of
spectators and DC is currently overrun with tourists for cherry blossoms. I ran
a good time and was so glad to finish and come home to a warm shower and long
nap.
Despite not wanting to walk any further than the
kitchen after running this morning, we decided to go back to the look at the
cherry blossoms and took the dogs for a ride. It is so busy during tourist
season here but we walked around the memorials where the trees line the Potomac
Tidal Basin area. It really is pretty as they bloom from white to pink.
Impossible to get a photo without 200 strangers in your shot. The dogs enjoyed
the day out although Cricket would much preferred to have been off leash and
running wild. They get so many nawwws, oooh and ahhh sweet dog comments from
everyone and they love every second of attention. I sat down with the dogs and
enjoyed a coffee (check out Cricket laying on me below) while Deb wandered off to do some photography with her new
camera.
Easter last weekend was spent locally. We did a
long run on Good Friday and saw a movie. I had a flying lesson on Saturday and
then we did this long hike on Sunday with a local adventure store (REI). It was
longer than planned being 16k rather than about 12k so we were fairly exhausted
by the end of the day. It was in the local Shenandoah National Park and did a
loop to see some falls. It was a nice day out, a little climbing involved and a
great way to ensure a good night sleep. We were shattered. My legs were tired
for days and I didn’t run all week. Instead running the Cherry Blossom today on
fresh legs.
Flying is progressing. I’m now around 15 hours and
have started pattern work which means takeoff, going around the runway in a rectangle pattern,
landing and then taking off again. Well, I scared myself the other day as I can’t
seem to do anything straight or level and my takeoff was something like Tom Cruise buzzing the tower sideways. I’m enjoying the challenge but I wish I
could just get better quicker. I am also about to start doing S turns and other
manouveurs to keep polish those turning skills. We are still missing lessons
due to bad weather and hoping things will improve as the warmer weather
arrives. Although storms apparently get in the way then. I also have to start
doing comms on the radio which is bound to be fun :o At the moment we have to
file our flight plan before each flight. When I phone in my flight plan each
time there is an automated system. I have to say ‘briefer’ but say
it slowly like ‘bree-fur’ and then the state of ‘Maryland’ but it’s like
‘Maaarell-lund’ with a bad yankee drawl. Else it doesn’t recognise my accent.
Oh the challenges so comms is going to be very interesting with the air traffic
controllers as they try to decipher this Aussie pilot’s lingo.
We went to visit friends to meet their new baby girl. We had been shopping to buy some cute little gifts and realised we had completely no idea about all things baby. We couldn't believe how small the clothes were. I had to ask a lady if she had kids and if this is really big enough for a baby. She assured me yes, this was the right size. Crikey!! I had to take a photo of the jeans as they were so cute. It's like a reverse Jenny Craig advertisement where I"m holding tiny pants instead of the big pants.
We also bought a nice plush squeaky touch feely toy and I couldn't resist the little red tractor that was on the counter. Probably not safe for a small child but it was the closest thing to a car or truck I could find. Have to be gender neutral right.
We finally got a photo of the dogs in front of the White House. Of course it took about 100 attempts but this was the best we could do. Cricket's rescue parents have always asked for a photo of Cricket in front of the White House so this is our first attempt. We hope to get another one with both dogs wearing a little tie. But for now, at least we have this.
And here is a photo of a sign on a fence near where we hiked. Pretty much sums up the local folks.
And a final shot of Macey checking out the water temperature of the creek....it's nearly swimming time.
The two pups snoozing while I do my flying study - very cute.
