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03/23/2026

🐾 🖤

Is this warmer weather inspiring you to get outside? Why not bring a shelter dog along! Sign up for a dog field trip today!

We provide the leash, collar, treats and dog - you provide the adventure! Field Trippers need to be at least 18 years old.

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.loudoun.gov/646/Volunteer

03/23/2026

You know the Big C has me down when my social media activity suddenly goes from “radio silence” to “trying to catch up on everything before I’m back on my feet.” 🙃 That’s where I’m at.

Spring break gifted me a short reprieve—and a reminder that when the DMV finally turns the corner from that horrid excuse for a winter, sometimes you hike right back into it anyway. (spoiler: no regrets.)

I grabbed my geology professor friend, two of my students, and we headed to Lost River State Park near Mathias, WV to scout White Oak Trail and Cranny Crow Overlook—a place my students will return to with me in April. The Blue Ridge Mountains rise all around you out there, ancient and patient, with a story much older than any of us.

The indigenous peoples—the Shawnee, the Delaware, and countless others—knew these lands long before anyone called them West Virginia. The Blue Ridge has been home, hunting ground, and sacred space for generations whose relationship with this land runs deeper than our maps can show.

And there is an Almost Heaven Swing at the summit. (yes, a literal swing strung between trees at the overlook.) It was so brutally cold and windy that we merely paused for photos at the swing before rushing to get off the summit.

I can’t wait to bring this experience back to my students in April—you know, when there’s no snow or ice trying to kill us, just pollen.
😂🥾🏔️

03/23/2026

there’s something about descending into unmarked passages in the earth that keeps calling me back—and this time, i got to share that magic with an incredible crew.

taking folks underground with BATS (battlefield area troglodyte society) in west virginia was exactly the kind of wild i needed. we had returning cavers, brave first-timers, and—get this—the two people who literally started the caving program at JMU all those years ago. pretty special.

this cave tested us. physically, mentally, every way. but watching people face their fears, push through challenges, and move as a team? that’s the stuff that stays with you.

caving is a privilege. the earth we explore is sacred. so if you’re curious about going underground, here’s the move: find your local caving grotto. learn the right way. practice leave no trace like it’s non-negotiable (seriously—no geotagging, no shortcuts on conservation). and come discover why some of us can’t stay away from holes in the earth.

so proud of this group for showing up, digging deep, and taking care of the cave—and each other. 🌍⛏️

03/22/2026

Next week is the biggest raptor migration passage of the year. And it happens directly over your commute.

Between March 28 and April 10, the Broad-winged Hawk migration reaches its annual peak along the Appalachian Ridge system and the Atlantic Coast flyway. On peak days at major hawk watch sites, counters record 10,000-30,000 raptors in a single afternoon. The one-day record at Hawk Mountain, Pennsylvania: 21,488 Broad-winged Hawks on September 14, 2006 (fall migration). The spring record: 11,247 in a single day.

The spring passage is earlier and more compressed than fall. 80% of the annual Broad-winged Hawk migration passes through the eastern US in a 14-day window centered on early April. That window opens THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

THE KETTLES: Broad-winged Hawks are the ONLY eastern raptor that migrates in flocks. They stack into thermal columns — spiraling upward in a tight spiral, then gliding downhill to the next thermal. A single kettle can contain 200-5,000 birds at altitudes from 500 to 6,000 feet. At 6,000 feet, they're visible as specks. At 1,000 feet, you can see individual wing shapes. At 500 feet — which happens when thermals are weak — they're close enough to hear their wing beats.

THE MIX: Broad-wingeds dominate (85-90% of the count), but riding with them: Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Ospreys, and occasional Bald Eagles. Each species has a distinctive flight shape — learning 3-4 shapes lets you identify species from half a mile:
- Broad-winged: compact, stubby wings, short tail. Looks like a flying barrel.
- Sharp-shinned: tiny, flap-flap-glide rhythm, long tail.
- Cooper's: larger than sharp-shin, slower wingbeats, rounder tail tip.
- Red-tailed: large, broad wings, obvious dark belly band, rufous tail.

HOW TO SEE THEM (anywhere in the eastern US):
1. Pick a day with light SW wind and puffy cumulus clouds (cumulus = thermals = hawks).
2. Find a south-facing hilltop, rooftop, or open field between 11 AM and 3 PM.
3. Face south-southwest. The hawks travel NE, riding thermals that develop over south-facing slopes.
4. Scan the base of cumulus clouds — kettles form where warm air rises. One speck becomes 50 in 5 minutes.
5. Bring binoculars. The big kettles are visible to the naked eye, but individual species ID requires 8-10× magnification.

Peak days: Look for the first warm day after a cold front passes — the high pressure behind a cold front produces the clear, sunny, thermal-rich conditions that generate the biggest kettle days. A warm day after 2-3 cool days = go outside at noon.

You drive under this migration every spring. The hawks have been passing over your commute since March. You just never looked up.

Next week, look up.

03/20/2026

Museum #6 of 52 ✔️: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

Here’s the thing about museums: they’re not just buildings. They’re repositories of stories, history, and human culture. So when I took my students to Wolf Trap, I counted it—because this place tells stories in every way that matters. Shouse’s vision—that visitors deserved “a peaceful and historic setting where they could have an opportunity to listen to the works of great composers”—still shapes everything Wolf Trap does. That’s a museum. That’s history. That’s worth documenting. Our tour with Ranger Will was exceptional—he gave us that detailed backstage look at the Filene Center and led us through the forest on a beautiful nature walk, reminding us that this is, fundamentally, a national park and a cultural institution where nature and performance exist in genuine conversation with each other.

The Origin Story: In 1966, philanthropist Catherine Filene Shouse—a trailblazer who was the first woman to graduate from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education—donated 100 acres of her Northern Virginia farmland and funds to establish what would become the first and only national park dedicated to the performing arts. President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law that October. The inaugural performance happened on June 1-2, 1971, featuring pianist Van Cliburn and the New York City Opera, with First Lady Pat Nixon in attendance. Talk about a historic opening.

The original Filene Center (named after Shouse’s parents) was built with Oregon redcedar and housed sophisticated sound and lighting systems—but just months before opening, it caught fire and suffered $650,000 in damage. Rather than delay, a benefit concert at Constitution Hall featuring Pierre Boulez conducting the New York Philharmonic raised funds for repairs, and the Center opened on schedule in July 1971.

The Name Itself Carries History: Early records show that wolves once roamed this area and bounties were granted for trapping them. In 1739, Wolf Trap Creek was officially named in a survey—evidence the name has been used for over 270 years. And yes—that incredible hand-carved national park arrowhead sign we saw? The largest one that exists. A tangible connection to the land’s past.

Wolf Trap operates through a unique public-private partnership between the National Park Service and the Wolf Trap Foundation, with programs including:
🎭 World-class performances year-round across all genres
🌲 Guided nature walks and scenic hiking trails
🎓 Educational programs, especially for underserved youth
🎼 Wolf Trap Opera, one of the nation’s premier residency programs for young singers
✨ Three distinct venues (the Filene Center, The Barns, and Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods)

03/20/2026

Museum #5 of 52 ✔️: National Museum of Women in the Arts

We got tickets for Community Day (free admission!) and what a gem. The building itself is a story—originally built in 1907 as a Masonic temple, it was designed by Waddy B. Wood, and the transformed this DC landmark when it opened in 1987 as the first major museum dedicated exclusively to women artists. The neoclassical architecture is stunning, and stepping inside feels like walking into someone’s curated passion project.

We did a docent tour (genuinely my favorite museum move—there’s nothing quite like learning from someone who actually cares about what they’re sharing), and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Fair warning though: one of the guards apparently had questions about my intentions and decided to become our devoted shadow for the entire visit. Nothing says “enjoying art” like being obviously monitored. 😅

The catch: The fourth floor—where the library lives—is currently under renovation, and I need to go back. But here’s the pro-tip we learned: Make an appointment for the library visit, and you get in free, even on non-Community Days. That’s the move right there.

If you’re in DC and haven’t been, go. Community Days are perfect for exploring without the pressure. And if you love art, history, and intricate institutional buildings? This one’s for you.

03/19/2026

What an incredible day at Westmoreland State Park! 🏞️🦷🐚

My students (and Barbarian Scientist) experienced something truly special today exploring one of Virginia’s original six state parks. We spent the day working alongside park rangers who provided incredible education about the wildlife calling this place home—especially the snakes that inhabit the park and play such a vital role in the ecosystem.

But the highlight? Fossil Beach. 🌊

Standing beneath the dramatic 150-foot Horsehead Cliffs, formed millions of years ago from Miocene-era sediments, is only amazing. These towering sandstone walls—constantly eroding and revealing secrets from deep time—were unlike anything they’d ever seen.

Then came the magic: digging through the sand, they uncovered treasures that took their breath away. Stingray teeth. A whale bone. Fragments of ancient marine life—thousands of years old, literally in the palms of their hands.

This is outdoor education at its best: learning from expert park rangers, connecting with natural history, and discovering that sometimes the most extraordinary learning happens when you’re standing on a beach, fossil in hand, wondering about the ocean world that existed right here, millions of years ago.

Grateful to Westmoreland State Park and their amazing team for making this possible. 🙏

03/18/2026

It’s been way too long since I’ve posted about a N.I.C.E. Event! 🌟

This month, We Are N.I.C.E. (Nighthawks Involved in Community Engagement—my outdoor recreation community service branch at NOVA) took the adventure indoors to support Ronald McDonald House Charities. Instead of trails and peaks, we served families who are navigating one of the hardest journeys of their lives.

Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities. They offer safe lodging, support, and community during some of the most challenging moments families face. Our students got to see firsthand how meaningful service creates tangible impact.

And here’s the best part: watching one of my students get so inspired by the mission that they committed to becoming a regular volunteer.

That’s community engagement at its finest.

If you’re looking to give back, Ronald McDonald House is doing incredible work. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or just spreading the word—every bit matters. 🏠❤️

03/17/2026

🌷 Tulip Day 🌷

Sunday on the National Mall was pure magic. 150,000 tulips transformed DC into a breathtaking picking garden , and the organization was flawless from start to finish.

It wasn’t just about the flowers—though picking stems in shades of red, pink, yellow, and white against the backdrop of the Capitol? That was pretty special. It was the people. Friends. Strangers. Becoming part of something together.

There’s something powerful about a unique event like this. Free. Accessible. And everyone can just… be. For a few hours on one afternoon, in one place, things were beautiful and easy for everyone at the same time. That’s rare. That’s worth savoring.

Here’s to spring, to community, and to the simple joy of picking flowers with a community you care about. Thank you, Alaina 🌷

03/14/2026

🥾 What an amazing day on the trail with the Old Rag Mountain Stewards!

We tackled Harper’s Ferry to Loudoun Heights route—8.5 miles and over 1,900 feet of elevation gain through beautiful forest and incredible rock formations. I decided the ideal hiking pace for me is the pace of a group of very tall and lean men who routinely hike Old Rag. I have never hiked at Harper’s Ferry before and the views from the ridge were absolutely worth every step!

The Land We Love:
This region is steeped in history. Harper’s Ferry, founded in 1763 by Robert Harper, became a pivotal point in American history—home to the U.S. Armory and the site of John Brown’s famous 1859 raid. But long before that, these ridges and valleys were home to the Shawnee, Potomac, and other Indigenous nations who knew these mountains intimately for thousands of years.

Our Mission:
As Old Rag Mountain Stewards, we’re committed to preserving and maintaining the trails and natural spaces we cherish. Through volunteer work—trail maintenance, erosion control, and habitat restoration—we’re ensuring that future generations can experience the beauty and history of these Blue Ridge and Appalachian landscapes. Every mile hiked, every root removed, every step of care we take helps protect this incredible place.

We even got to swing by (literally!) the iconic Shepardstown “Almost Heaven” swings! These swings have become a beloved landmark and a favorite spot for hikers and locals alike. Right now, there are 51 swings throughout West Virginia. I guess this has to be a thing I chase now 🤷🏼‍♀️

A Piece of History:
This swing is located near the historical marker dedicated to James Rumsey, an 18th-century inventor and engineer who lived in Shepardstown. Rumsey pioneered early steamboat technology and was a visionary ahead of his time—his innovations helped shape the future of river transportation along the Potomac.

Being out here together, surrounded by centuries of stories and the living landscape they shaped, reminds us that stewardship isn’t just about the land—it’s about honoring the people and communities connected to it. 🏔️

Thanks to everyone who showed up ready to work and celebrate these mountains!