Today, I visited the Maryland side of Potomac. I was the first idiot to walk the most challenging trail in the area (Billy Goat Section A) in flip-flops. Had nothing else—got a nasty blister from a run in new sneakers. But I finished it, although not quickly, in two hours. Even managed to keep my feet dry. The weather finally improved—it’s almost 59 degrees Fahrenheit, good for wearing just a T-shirt again. Visiting the national park costs $10 per car, $5 for cyclists and pedestrians.
My phone shows I walked 17 kilometers today. There’s no other way to offset the local food. I’ve learned to ask for “half a portion” at restaurants. For instance, if you order soup at P.F. Chang’s, they bring a pot full of soup (literally) and a small plate—see the attached photo. Such soup costs $8.25.
Also went to the new Star Wars in a huge IMAX today. Interestingly, the tickets are sold without assigned seats, there’s no advertising before the movie, people clap in the theater before and after the film, and all 500 seats were filled. The cost of one IMAX ticket is $15.
By now, since the beginning of last year, I’ve visited about 10 US national parks. And here’s a common trait—they are all beautiful, but you hardly see any wildlife. Birds, squirrels, deer, and other creatures, if they appear, it’s never when I’m there. However, as soon as you drive a bit away from the park, there they all are.
In between all this, there was also a piano concert, but there’s not much to tell—just a regular concert. Except that it too was fully booked.
Hi, I'm Rauf Aliev. 