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We went for our first hike of the new year on Sunday!  We’ve been itching to get outside, and Maryland finally had a super nice weekend weather after months of cold and ice.  We headed up to Catoctin Mountain Parkin Thurmont, MD.  I had wanted to take the Hog Rock/Blue Ridge Summit Loop, but it was closed over the weekend due to ‘security measures.’  Which means that President Obama was at Camp David, which is located pretty much in the middle of the park.

So we hiked the Wolf Rock/Chimney Rock Loop instead, which was fine, since Mark has really wanted to play on Wolf Rock again.

Muddy Trail

There were a TON of people out and about in the park on Sunday.  The trail was a bit muddy and full of leaves.

At the trailhead

The hike up to Wolf Rock is fairly steep and I realized just how out of shape I get in the winter! 

Wolf Rock

We had lunch – PB&J’s – up on top of Wolf Rock.  And we watched as a government helicopter checked us out… repeatedly.  He flew by about 3 times.  We think he was scouting out Obama’s flight back to DC.

Security

 After lunch, we continued the loop around to Chimney Rock, which is smaller than Wolf Rock, but boasts an impressive view.  It was also less populated with loud picnic-goers, running kids and exasperated parents, we enjoyed the peace and quiet.

Chimney Rock

A few weeks ago, Mark bought each of us a brand new bandanna from The Trail House.  This was their first trip and we baptised them in a small stream we found along the trail.

Baptism

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