Billy Goat Trail A

perfect weather for hiking

What a fun day! This hike is what my husband and I were looking for on our first trip to Great Falls National Park. At the time, we had no idea that there were two separate entrances- one on each side of the Potomac. This entrance (on the Maryland side) did not have a line of cars when we showed up in the middle of the day, although many people were out enjoying the park. If you are in the military, you are eligible for an annual park pass which covers admission and parking (for free).

The visitor center is housed in an old tavern and has several different maps and stamps for your National Parks Passport. Other neat things at this location include: an $8 boat ride down the canal, free bicycle borrowing at the park, access to a loooong walking trail along the canal, scenic overlooks, a food hut, and decent restrooms. *This is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park but is referred to as Great Falls.

Boat rides on the canal are offered 3 times a day.

To get to the Billy Goat Trail cross over the bridge at the visitor center and walk along the canal until you see a white covered bridge. Entrance A to the trail is off to your right (before you cross under the bridge). The start of this trail is similar to the River Trail I described from our previous trip. You have to maneuver around rocks on the trail and hop over some, but it is no big deal. When you get further in, everything changes. The rocks become huge and you have no choice but to climb up onto them, jumping and scrambling from one boulder to the next. I must say, I have never felt more like a mountain goat in my life. This trail is aptly named. Be sure you bring plenty of water. Once you get into a rhythm and begin conquering boulders it is easy to forget about time and how hard your body is working.

There are 3 separate trails of varying difficulty.

There are tons of places where you can take a break to enjoy the view or refuel. One smart couple brought a blanket and had a picnic on one of the rocks. If you are unsure about continuing, you can always turn around or take the exit trail that is further in. There is a 40 foot climb up a rock wall (not pictured here) that you have to make in order to continue on the trail. It seems intimidating, but there are plenty of places to grab onto, and it is at an incline so you are not climbing straight up.

The arms on the far right give you an idea of where the "trail" is. 

This is a very popular hike in the D.C. area, so it is crowded on weekends. If you are looking for a quiet walk through nature, this is not the trip for you; although, I would imagine it is much less crowded during the week. If you have a fear of heights, poor balance, or limited mobility, you should carefully assess the risks and decide whether or not you are up for this trek. That being said, this is an absolutely gorgeous hike that leads through the woods, along the river, over rocky cliffs, and by the beach.

We found some extra rocks to climb.

So many people have recommended this trail to us, and now I know why. It is challenging, fun, and exhilarating. The only time I tripped over anything was when we were walking back on the flat ground. Go figure. I was a little apprehensive about this hike/climb, but I had a great time and would love to visit again!

Crayon Art

I think it's safe to say that any Pinterest user who has checked out the craft boards has seen Crayola canvas art at one point of another. And while the rainbow of streaming wax down the canvas does look pretty awesome, this approach allows for more a little more creativity and you can use your crayons again! And if you mess up, you can easily cover that section with another color.


What you'll need:
-hairdryer
-box of crayons
-canvas paper 
-some newspaper

What to do:

1. First, cover your work station with newspaper for easy cleanup. Melted wax is pretty easy to clean off a table. It is probably not as easy to get out of carpet, so be careful where you point that hairdryer!

2. Next, select the colors you would like to use. They can blend together or contrast; it is all up to you! I went with a "water" theme.

3. Lay out your canvas paper and set your crayons nearby. You are ready to begin. This canvas paper cost $3-4 at Hobby Lobby for 10 pages. If you mess up, you can easily tear out another page and start again. It will take a little bit of practice to see how your hairdryer moves the melted wax, so start low to the page at a slightly tilted angle (using low speed). I think it is the straight on approach that causes the splatter effect.

What works best is unwrapping part of your crayon, placing the tip of it on the canvas paper and pointing the hairdryer at that end. When it starts to melt move the tip of your crayon around creating a small puddle of melted wax. Then use the hairdryer to blow that across the page. When you get into your grove, you can make several puddles at once all over the canvas to speed things along and minimize the time you spend holding onto a hot crayon.

4. Have fun! This is such a neat project, and everyone's work turns out differently. The canvas paper is also easy to frame and can make some interesting abstract art if your walls are in need of accent pieces. Experiment and see just what your crayons can do!
 

~Sarah

Easy Pesto Pasta

I am a fan of easy, healthy dinners especially when everything fits in one bowl. This pasta dish tastes amazing and is so simple to throw together. It hardly counts as a recipe, but we'll pretend it's one anyway.

Easy Pesto Pasta with Vegetables

Ingredients:

olive oil
2 packets of Knorr pesto sauce
1 box of noodles, your choice
1-2 squash
1-2 zucchini
frozen broccoli florets
*chicken breasts (optional)
Parmesan and/or Feta cheese to top

I <3 Cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare chicken if desired. We like buying the thin sliced breasts and cooking them on the George Foreman Grill. Boil noodles. Start cooking pesto sauce according to packet directions (basically, whisk with olive oil).

2. Quarter squash and zucchini and cut into slices. In a large stock pot (if you want to conserve dishes) or deep pan, pour 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil and saute veggies. Microwave frozen broccoli florets and add to the pot. Vegetable amounts vary based on individual preferences, so add as much as you would like.

3. When chicken is cooked, cut into bite-sized pieces and add to veggie mixture. Drain noodles when they finish and add to large stockpot as well. Lastly, pour pesto sauce over everything and toss thoroughly.

4. Serve and top with Feta or Parmesan cheese.

Santa Fe Soup

The season of soup, sweaters, and scarves is upon us.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. It has all the best holidays and there is a cozy feeling in the air. I also get to wear my most stylish outfits when it's cool out. Bonus: the same clothes work for winter- just with more layers. This year I am actually going to read the pin I saved on how to tie scarves. Switching gears, this recipe is great for fall dinners. It makes a lot of leftovers and is a delicious vegetarian meal option.

Santa Fe Soup

Ingredients:
1 large onion
(optional 1 lb ground beef)
1 can of black beans
1 can of pinto beans
1 can of kidney beans
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can green chiles
1 can corn (or 1+ cup frozen)
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch mix
3 cups water

Toppings:
shredded cheese
tortilla chips
sour cream
green onions

Directions:
1. Dice one large onion and saute in a tall stockpot (cook ground beef with onion if desired).
2. Open black, pinto, and kidney beans. Rinse beans before adding to pot. Add tomatoes, green chiles, corn, and 3 cups of water. Stir mixture and add in taco seasoning and ranch mix. 
3. Bring soup to a boil and then simmer on low for up to two hours.
4. Garnish with shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, sour cream, and green onions.

Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

Potato Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin

This evening I was craving something starchy and delicious to go with steak. Scrolling through my Pinterest for some inspiration, I saw cheesy goodness that was baked in a casserole dish. Perfect! Upon reading, I realized this recipe would be easy to whip together and also used the remaining spaghetti squash I had on hand. I love it when things work out.

Here is the original recipe.


Ingredients:

1 spaghetti squash (bigger squash will give you more to work with)
2 Tbsps olive oil
1 small onion, diced fine
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 to 1/2 tsps red pepper flakes
1 tsp thyme (calls for fresh, but dry turned out fine)
1/2 cup sour cream (you can use a little less)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp = amazing) 

Directions: 

1. You can start the spaghetti squash cooking a few hours earlier in the Crock-Pot, or if you can find a dish that fits in the microwave, try out this awesome method by Dandy Dishes. "Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds.  Place in a covered dish with a ¼ inch of water and microwave for 10 -12 minutes."

2. Saute onions with red pepper flakes, thyme, and olive oil. Add garlic towards the end when onions look translucent.

3. Scrape spaghetti strands into baking dish. Add in onion mixture, sour cream, and some cheese. Save a little of your shredded cheese to go on top of the squash. 

4. Bake at 375 degrees for 12-20 minutes. Go with the longer time if you are after a golden brown bubbly crust. If you just want to start eating, 12 is good. : )

Note: If you are clumsy in the kitchen and have problems handling knives, I would strongly recommend cooking the squash in the Crock-Pot. The microwave method worked really well, but it is difficult to cut the squash in half when it is uncooked. After a frightening attempt or two, I delegated that task.   

Also, If you want to mix all your ingredients in the serving dish to prevent dirtying extra dishes, remember to wipe around the edges of the baking dish with a paper towel when you have finished stirring. This is a simple step that helps with presentation.

Lemon Orzo with Asparagus and Tomatoes

**Since this original recipe is so well-written, I am just going to post here and add some tips.

Lemon Orzo Salad with Asparagus and Tomatoes
12 oz. orzo
1 bunch fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lemon, zested and juiced
4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbs. fresh parsley, minced
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
Grated Parmigiano Reggiano

Bring 2 large pots of water to boil.  Add a big pinch of salt in each.
To one pot, add asparagus and blanch, about 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus.  Place blanched asparagus in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking and keep them green.
To the second pot, add the orzo.  Cook per package instructions.  When tender, drain and place in a large bowl.  Add blanched asparagus and tomato halves.
Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.  

Stir into orzo and vegetables.  Stir in parsley and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
This can be served warm, room temperature or cold.
  

Thanks to A Big Mouthful! This has become one of my favorite side dishes. It is so colorful and easy to bring to events since it can be served at room temperature; it also tastes the best this way. If you are standing by the fridge with a fork in hand, the orzo tastes good then, too. The flavors are not quite right when this is warm. The strong lemon flavor seems to settle after you put this dish in the fridge, so if you taste it when you finish mixing everything together and are overpowered by lemon, perfect! That is just the right amount, and the orzo will taste amazing when you serve it later.

I just realized this recipe calls for parsley. I never noticed it was missing. Feta cheese makes a nice addition and so does chicken if you would like to bump this up to dinner status. Enjoy!

Kayaking on the Potomac

This weekend my husband and I went back to the Boathouse at Fletcher's Cove and rented a kayak for two! We stumbled upon this gem a few weeks ago while walking the Capital Crescent Trail, and I am so glad we returned. Getting into the place is a bit of a challenge since the driveway is an impossibly sharp turn off a busy highway. Hope you are coming towards the driveway head-on, and if you are not, it might be worth it to drive a few extra miles and turn around for a better angle of entrance.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal

Once you tackle that challenge, you are in the clear! Get out of the car, stretch your legs, and revel in the sunshine. There are some really clean bathrooms by the parking lot, so that's a plus. The Abner Cloud House is also right there (built in 1801). This area is part of a large National Park. For those of you collecting stamps, there is not a stamp at this particular location. Great Falls National Park in Virginia has several different stamps for sites in the nearby area. Cross over the canal bridge to get to the boat rentals, or follow the driveway down to get to the parking lot on the other side. There are several picnic tables and even some grills in the area. Keep in mind this is a trash-free park, so you will need to carry out all the food wrappers and leftovers from your picnic.

Abner Cloud House, 1801

While enjoying a quick snack before heading out on the water, we met a really cool guy named Gabe who is training for a marathon! Last summer he decided to get off the couch and start running. In the past year he has gone from not running at all to marathon-ready. So impressive. He has made a great transformation and is incredibly humble about it. It was a pleasure talking with him and a great reminder to be more dedicated about my running goals. Good luck, Gabe!

Glimpse of the Potomac

The weather was perfect this weekend, and we had a great time out on the water. The views along the Potomac are absolutely gorgeous. We encountered some jumping fish and ducks who swam alongside our kayak. Paddling upstream (right) when exiting the dock led to a really quiet stretch of water. There were far fewer boats because most people were headed the opposite direction towards Georgetown. After a while we paddled our boat that direction, too. It was really neat seeing that area from a completely different perspective. The crowd surrounding a Georgetown kayak/canoe rental location was one more reason to rent went with the Boathouse at Fletcher's Cove. It is $45 to rent a kayak for the day, and for $25 a day you can rent a rowboat. We plan on going back to try that before the season ends.

Awesome Asparagus

I seem to be on a vegetable kick as of late. During recent grocery visits, I have actually heard the produce section call my name. Here are some simple instructions on how to make phenomenal asparagus with minimal effort.

Asparagus Tips:

-Do not pick out the biggest stalks you can find. The more slender ones are the way to go.
-No knives are necessary. Hold both ends of asparagus spear and bend gently. The bottom part that snaps off can be discarded.

Ingredients:

-bundle of asparagus
-1-2 Tbsp of olive oil (just eyeball it)
-a pinch of salt and pepper
-a handful of shredded Parmesan (it is up to you to quantify a handful of cheese)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Oil up your asparagus.
[If you don't mind getting messy, the easiest way to do this is set your (clean!) hand on a plate where you have poured your Tbsp of olive oil and coat the stalks with the olive oil on your hand. I think this uses less olive oil than rolling the stalks around on a plate, and you will be able to make sure all the asparagus is thoroughly coated.]
3. Set out asparagus on a baking sheet.
4. Lightly sprinkle salt and pepper over asparagus.
5. Artfully sprinkle cheese until you are satisfied.
6. Put baking sheet in the oven for 8 minutes at 350.
7. Pull out and serve alongside dinner!

Many New Starts

Since this blog is about my many different adventures (and not just the ones in the kitchen), I have a bunch of exciting news. This weekend I got married! On Saturday my wonderful man and I got married at a park in D.C. Everything went wrong, and it was the perfect day. I am so glad we eloped and made it through all of the day-of-wedding hiccups together. I can't imagine the stress of planning a huge ceremony; this scenario presented plenty of hair-pulling moments. Now we are both looking forward to our reception back home with family and friends.

Yesterday I started a new job as an SAT tutor. And today I got hired to be a reading and writing teacher for K-8th graders at a local learning center! My afternoons and evenings are fully booked now. During the day I can work on blogging, creative writing, running, crafting, and cooking. We'll see how long it takes for napping to join that list. If I am feeling really motivated, I can practice my German during commutes! Life is getting busy, but I seem to make the best use of my time when I have too much to do.

Sarah