We are going to the Grand Canyon later this summer, so we have planned some local hikes to break in our hiking gear and make sure our hiking muscles are in shape. Our favorite local hiking trail is the Billy Goat Trail, at Great Falls Maryland National Park.
Did you know that today is National Running Day? I usually hear about these “special” days too late to celebrate, but this year my fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador Kristin at Jonesin’ For A Run organized a National Running Day interview link up that I am excited to join.
Back in the day before I had any interest in fitness (yes, there was such a time!) my husband and his friends used to “bike for beer” and visit brew pubs off the Washington & Old Dominion trail. Since I started riding with my husband, we noticed a sign for West Ox Brewery near mile marker 25, but never stopped there until last weekend.
My husband might be carrying a 6-pack back home ….
We usually start our ride in Vienna, about 12 miles away, so while stopping for a beer usually sounds good, it doesn’t usually sound like a good idea. But last weekend I wanted a change of scenery, so we ended up starting our ride near mile marker 25, and riding out past Leesburg.
It was a lovely route with bucolic scenery.
We stopped to look at Luck Stone Quarry
This was our turn-around point, somewhere between Leesburg and Purcellville.
When we got back to Old Ox Brewery we were surprised at how nice it was. They welcome cyclists with a bike rack, clean bathrooms, and a self-service water cooler.
We shared a flight of beer–I think we earned it with this elevation profile!
–and then cruised the last mile back to our car.
I really want to make it to the end of the Washington Old Dominion trail, so I’m sure we’ll be doing this ride again.
[Tweet “Bike For Beer on the W&OD”]
Have you found a fun place to stop on a long run or ride?
Recently life has given me opportunities to practice praying, not worrying. While I am getting better at it, I get stuck when I don’t know what to pray for.
I feel like we didn’t get much of a spring this year. Our temperatures bounced from winter to summer and back again without only a few pauses for spring-like weather. Although the summer solstice is a few weeks away, since Memorial Day weekend already is behind us and we will be turning our calendars to June on Monday, I’m definitely feeling like it’s summer. 
Before summer really heats up, I thought I’d share five new things I am loving for this summer. Continue reading
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
