Training Log Archive: kissy

After a week of inactivity, I decided it was time to test my knee, so I met Valerie at PWF for an early morning hike. It almost didn't happen because there was a steady rain and there was some question as to whether or not we were wusses. After a few times around the traffic circle in Shirlington, Valerie decided we weren't wusses, and headed south instead of back to her house.

It *was* raining when we started, but nothing too bad, and it didn't last long. The weather was fine for hiking, especially with the right clothes on, and the company was perfect for hiking. We started at Pine Grove, took the South Valley Trail to the North Valley trail to Lake One Road. Headed up that to the Scenic Loop, and then hooked on to the Mary Bird Trail to Turkey Run Educational Center (for a convenient potty break). Back down on the Turkey Run Trail, to the South Valley trail, and back up to Pine Grove. My knee held out until about Mile 5, and then it really started to twinge, so we slowed down a bit. Otherwise, we had a good pace going. It was a wonderful way to start the day.

After my nice hike, Graham and I headed downtown to see the Edward Hopper exhibit at the National Gallery of Art. I had bribed Graham with a nice dinner afterwards if he came with me, but he ended up liking it all on his own. We both agreed that our favorite Hopper periods were the times he spent on Cape Cod and in Maine, primarily producing watercolors. We also agreed that our favorite painting was on of his last ones, "Sun in An Empty Room." After all of his earlier paintings with people in the rooms, this one was kind of sad with no one in it, like he knew it would be his last.

True to my word, I took Graham to The Liberty Tavern in Arlington for dinner. I had read many good reviews about this restaurant, and it lived up to its reputation. I had a pizza with no tomato products but with fingerling potato slices, wild mushroom, pancetta, rosemary and robiola. I was informed later that evening by a pizza expert that that was most definitely *not* a pizza. Whatever it was, it was yummy!

C • eye of the beholder 3