In Which I Climb Like a Billy Goat

I hiked the famous (infamous) Billy Goat trail this Saturday. It was fun. I clambered over rocks. I climbed a 20-foot rock face.

I saw waterfalls.

I saw crazy Marines running the trail. It's amazing to me they didn't fall and break their necks. It's a very popular trail. Lots of families were out on it, which is a little scary. there's nothing like watching two pre-teen boys wrestling each other for supremacy at the edge of a 50-foot cliff.

I also saw a sign that makes me a little worried about the kinds of dogs people are bringing with them on the trail. I saw a full-size poodle, and a couple lap dogs, and a retriever. But I am concerned that people are not adequately training their dogs to walk out in the woods. Or maybe they are over-training their hunting dogs?

In Which I am 35

I am officially 35 now. I suppose as a woman over 30, I am not supposed to advertise my age. Whoops. Oh well. Feel free to count the wrinkles and gray hairs next time you see me.

After burning my wrist on while cooking my birthday breakfast of bacon and eggs, an adventure was undertaken to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. It was beautiful, and also about 10 degrees cooler. it was HOT this weekend. I love going into the mountains. On the way, there is a town called Front Royal. I don't know where the name came from, I'm a bit curious. Was it a fort? What was it a front to? It's a cute little town with a strange mix of family-run furniture stores, antique shops, and wine sellers.

In Which Easter Cometh

I'm a little late, but here's a couple pictures from Easter. I headed back up to the North, drawn, like my Polish ancestors, to fresh Polish sausage and pierogi at the Broadway Market in Buffalo. Yum.........

There were painted Polish and Russian wooden eggs, pastries, and, of course, pussy willows in abundance in preparation for Dyngus Day.