Hardtail Heaven

Heaven or hell. After an hour and 5 miles on the MCB Quantico mountain bike trails, I wasn't so sure which one to choose. GOSH!!! It's only been 5 years since I hit the trails with Sam for the last time. I just couldn't pass up a 60 degree day in February after discovering a map of the mixed use trails on the "mainside" of the base. Time passes on and how quickly ones butt and hands forget just how hard a hardtail (no shocks) MTB rides. Even on the softer, sandy trails my arms and shoulders were buzzing from the vibration of a 2 mile gradual downhill.

The trailhead parking and starting point behind the Quantico Child Development Center.

The top of the last long uphill where lunch was knocking on the door to get out.

Doah!!! Topo map reading hasn't always been my strong suit. I dicided to take the trail out and the powerline back. WRONG!! As you can see, powerlines go straight UP and DOWN the hills.

Elvis Has Left The Building

As I do my last time ticket and approval, transfer my last employee to a temporary supervisor, check my Trilogy email one more time, scan my SAC badge for entry, leave a final voice message on my phone and check my drawers one more time, I am more than a bit sad at leaving Quantico and ERF for the last time.

Today is my last full day with BAE Systems assigned to a contract with the FBI. I will receive my LOW, Lack Of Work letter on Monday morning.

I have been coming to this campus, every day since the fall of 1997. I think the first time was in 75 or 76. Even when I retired, it was only for 4 days before I came back, going from a blue (FBI) badge to a green (contractor) badge. Next time it will be white badge with a big red V , for visitor.

This time, leaving has more finality, but along with it more hope and excitement.

One of my world wide FBI ham friends sent me a wonderful God Speed in reply to my last official Trilogy, in house email.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for wholeness and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Elvis has left the building, but the Lord is by my side.

Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer

CAVU Day At Sky Meadows

Clear And Visibility Unlimited (CAVU)
A great term to discribe the day we had on the hillside at Sky Meadows State Park this past Saturday. The temp at 11:00 when we arrived was about 26 degrees and never went above freezing. Valerie and I hiked about 7 miles, starting with the Snowden loop and then heading up (1100 feet) to the Appalachian Trial on the ridge line.

Snowden Manor Ruins

We bumped into a Sierra Club group doing the same 7 mile loop.