Pimmit Run - Southeast Route

RJ Decides to Hike Pimmit Run

Weather: 84 degrees and sunny
Goal: go on the dangerous and rocky part of Pimmit run
Path: random with no plan, 3.6 miles

At breakfast RJ decided that we need to hike at Pimmit Run today. By the time that the Saturday morning cleanup was done, RJ had suggested it 3-4 times. By the time the daily errands were complete he had recruited Julia to second the request.

So at 1pm we started out on a short hike. This was going to be the 'dangerous hilly side' that we were not able to complete the first time. See first Pimmit Run hike.

This time we found a safer route that was actually a trail. After RJ lead the way, we got to the crossroads pictured left. RJ convinced us to cross a stream and head towards Donaldson run. After realizing we were not on a trail anymore, I convinced RJ to turn around (another river crossing).

Back at the crossroads again everybody, except Dad, wanted to go to the overlook ... so we went to the overlook - a dangerous sort of trail. Since Julia got to lead, she scrambled up like she could have scaled Everest.

Soon we realized that the overlook trail was a circle and we were heading back to the crossroads. This time, Dad convinced everybody to head back towards the nature center because we were all sweaty and our water bottles were empty.

The nature center was awesome for several reasons.

1. They had a place to refill our water bottles with cold water
2. There were snakes, frogs, turtles, and some cool fish that are native to the DC area
3. We got to fish with a magnet while sitting in a native American canoe - see picture

The trail to the nature center had 2 stream crossings. The amazing part is that RJ only slipped once and got the outside of one shoe wet.

The biggest challenge on the way home was to keep the tired troops focused and motivated. Loss of motivation would result in Dad having to carry a kid. As you can see to the left, we were quite safe when going down the steep parts.

Some comments regarding the trail map.

• #1 = crossroads sign above
• #2 = realize that the overlook trail is taking us in a circle
• RJ's Idea is where a certain kid abused his leadership role to head us into the forest
• Juila's Idea is where a certain kid decided decided to use her leadership role to hike up a random stairway and cause Dad to pull out his GPS phone.
• #3 = let me know if you can find it anywhere in this map
• #4 = Nature center and water!
• Water icons = stream crossings - we crossed the first one 4 times and the second one 2 times

Timber

With Mom out of town this weekend, it seemed like a perfect time to climb a tree and cut off a limb that was previously damaged by wind. Mr. Warren from across the street came over in order to dial 9-1-1. Fortunately, this service was not needed. Unfortunately, the limb is still there because Dad chickened out.

Dad's fear didn't stop the gang from climbing. Once we were up there we could see that a large colony of ants had infested the half dead branch.

The Entourage

Add Five Minutes

Everything I do these days takes at least 5 minutes longer than I originally plan. I wonder why?

It seems that Abby (or Abbie) needed to be buckled into her car seat on the trip from St. Luke to Preschool, from Preschool to Subway, and from Subway to Fabi's house.

After arriving at Subway, I heard about the dinosaur that was 'hatched' in preschool. The hatching process involved pouring water over the egg.

After being born into captivity, this plant eater decided to eat some roasted turkey.