Local Roaming and Yard Work

The past two days have had some local roaming incorporated. And, I picked up sticks in the yard in anticipating of the grass being cut. QB finally got the grass cutter working, so that will be happening very soon much to the chickens' dismay. I really enjoy getting the camera out and taking pics, the exercise will vary depending on my day/week. We have had to catch up on chores this break, so we have not had the opportunity to go anywhere neat. With the beautiful weather, I hope we can go hiking soon. I want to go to Harper's Ferry and do some hiking there since it's just down the road. But, until we get out to somewhere more interesting, here are some pics from around out place. I also included a pic of my dyed hair that I talked about on my other blog. Enjoy the doggies. There were lovin' up the sun and were easy targets for some neat pics.

I Got Some Fresh Air Today

So, it's been several days since my last post. That's what happens to me on this strange flip-flop schedule. I will be go-go-go, then no-no-no. This blog is my bait. Which I did take today. I didn't get tons of exercise, but I did get a nice walk in the fresh air. Today really was a beautiful day.

These pictures were taken around my neighbor/landlord's home. QB had to walk over there to barrow STC's grinder to sharpen the blades on the gravely so he could mow the yard. Our grass is getting taller by the day. Soon my little doggies will get lost if we don't cut it. The chicken and guineas are loving the long grass though. Funny birds. I do enjoy watching them.

Well, I can't think of anything else related to say. Enjoy the neat pics.

Mountain Road Walk

Yesterday I came home feeling rather tired and cranky. I don't know why I was in a foul mood, but I was. I hung out with the hubby all evening and starting feeling better.

Today, I decided to head out early (well, early for me - around 1pm) so I could get some better photo opportunities. This area is on the verge of blooming out, so the trees are still mostly bare but flowers are blooming. I drove a few miles to a neat mountain road for a change of scenery. However, this road is much much neater during the summer with all the foliage. I did find some neat things to take pictures of though.

I only covered a little over a mile. I didn't have much of an appetite when I woke up, so I went out on an empty stomach. I jogged some, but mostly walked. When I got done, I was definitely hungry so I had some oatmeal when I got home. My play-list was the same, so no change there. Enjoy the pics. I am anxiously waiting for all the trees to get their leaves and more things to bloom. North Virginia is absolutely gorgeous in late April.

Why Sprint the Last 1/4m When You Can Dance?

Tonight, not only did I feel like getting active after work, but I had some extra energy from some unknown source that gave me the motivation to push myself. As soon as I got home, I put on my running shoes, grabbed my mp3 player, and headed out with my camera hoping to get some pics before it got too dark.

All in all, I covered about 2 miles. For the first 1.75ish miles I mostly jogged, but stopped a few times for a photo op. I was able to keep up a decent pace without overdoing myself. Once I got back to the beginning of our drive way, which is about 1/4m, I was feeling really great and was listening to a good song. So, instead of sprinting, I wanted to enjoy the song so I just danced back. This is another great thing about living in the country. No one but the animals to see me acting silly. I think I would have been too self conscientious to go as all out as I did if I still lived in town. I would have probably had a little boogie in my step though.

I must say, if you want nice legs, dance for the last 1/4 mile. Damn, that will that work your upper legs and glutes. :-)

 Here is my play list, in case you're curious. I got a few pics, too. A few strange pics, but pictures none the less.

Jack's Mannequin - Dark Blue
Jack's Mannequin -Spinning
Maine - Whoever She Is
MGMT - Electric Feel
Modest Mouse - Float On
Muse - Time Is Running Out
Patty Griffin - Rain
Sherwood - Alley Cat
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps
Yeah Yeah Yeahs -Heads Will Roll

Which One is the Carrot Again?

I started out using photography as an encouragement to get outside and get active. However, all day today I had the urge to get outside and run. I have had a steady exercise routine before, so I know the drive and craving for the intensity of pushing yourself. Apparently after getting a taste of that again in the past few days, I am starting to like the feel the urge to jog/run again. Did I forget what it felt like? Maybe. Maybe it was cold. Maybe I was lazy. Maybe...

Today was a long work day. I was up at 5am and got home just after 7pm. I didn't really want to go for a long run or take the time and ramp myself up; I just wanted to get outside, go hard, and burn out early. Hey, I have two more 5am days ahead of me.

I stayed local, and maybe covered just under 1 mile. Not a lot, but I am still fairly out of shape. I got my heart rate up, huffed and puffed a bit, and took just enough pictures to prove I was out. Ha.

Since the sun was setting, I did brighten the pics a little. I don't consider myself a photoshop pro, but I can get around alright. ;-)  Here are tonight's selected pics. Enjoy.

The Cherry Trees In DC

As I was waking up yesterday, before breakfast but after coffee, I was looking up local parks trying to think of a neat activity photo adventure for my last day off. I work 4 days on and 4 off, and today is my first day back at work. So, I'm not sure how many opportunities will arise to do activities over the next four days. Something about 12hr shifts makes that difficult to do. However, now that I am getting more active in such a fun way, I am actually wanting to go jogging and get some exercise. Apparently I DO respond to danging carrots. My plan is working. :-)

Anyway, so as I was sitting at my computer, QB hollered from upstairs that we needed to leave the house for DC in 30min! Apparently he had to do an emergency hard drive replacement for a client just off Dupont Circle. I was excited because I figured I would have some great opportunities for some interesting photos. I threw some some comfy clothes, and since we were in a rush, I had to eat my breakfast oatmeal on the go.

Flash forward to after I dropped off QB. By then it was around 4:30pm, and it took me about 15 min to find a parking spot. Not bad considering it is DC. I started to walk the 4-5 blocks to where QB was and figured I would meet him when we got done, and we could walk around. He was done rather quick, so he actually met me half way to where I left him. I only took a few pictures of the Dupont area, and didn't get much exercise - but that was because my scheming mind had a plan. I remembered what DC is famous for this time of year, so we now had a new quest.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival.

We had to run -what we thought would be- a quick errand, which took us north and away from the cherry trees, but we figured we had plenty of time. QB and I still haven't quite learned how bad traffic can get in DC around rush hour. By the time we turned back after our errand, we were feeling a bit pressed for time, and realized the sun was setting fast. I was afraid I would miss the cherry trees. As soon as we got close to the mall area, coming from "F" street I think, I got out the the car to walk/jog because traffic was so bad.

However, it was getting dark quick, so I realized that if I wanted any chance to take some cherry tree pictures that I would need to jog. So, I jogged at a fairly quick pace from the red dot to the pinkish area where the first of the cherry trees were. The dark was coming so fast that I felt a little guilty for stopping to take a couple of neat Washington Monument pics on the way. I did manage to get some cherry tree pics, but I didn't get a change to take all that I wanted. The dark came to quickly for me to get any pics by the water. Sigh. However, if I had not gotten out when I did and jogged, I would have gone home empty handed. Traffic was so bad for QB, as he drove down 15th street,  after I took what pics I could, I had to walk back up to the intersection of 15th and Madison and wait for him to drive another 1.5 blocks. Damn.

I ended up jogging about 1/2 mile, and probably walked at least 1 more between Dupont Circle and the rest of the cherry tree area. Remember, I am not trying to get in massive mileage since I am on CR. I am just trying to get some activity and fresh air. I'm glad I got *some* pics. I had to play around with them some and even get a little artsy because the light was just not there for ideal images. I'll put my favorites up first, then some just to show the area more. I may add some pics to this post later this evening, but I haven't decided yet. Enjoy!