GFH3 Run #1,692; 13 April 2013

All right - who's turn was it to look after Valiant?  And what in the world was that person thinking in letting him get away, so he could go for a gentle run along the side of the Fairfax County Parkway, where there is not only no sidewalk, and a 50-mph speed limit, and plenty of traffic zipping by, but also really not much of a shoulder?  While there may be such a thing as acceptable loss, that does not apply to one of our most revered and respected nearly-founding members.  Let's all take a bit better care next time, shall we?

It's easy to understand people getting distracted, though, since the weather was beyond bee-yoo-tee-ful, and there was some eccentric cyclist riding a pennyfarthing on Herndon byways more accustomed to Treks and Cannondales.  But the discipline in this group always re-asserts itself, so about 35 hashers set out from Greg and Lori's to wend their circular ways through the streets and paths, paved and unpaved.  One hears rumors of backchecks, with The Manic Mechanic claiming to have predicted, and skipped, two.  And it is reasonable to believe the FRBs messed up badly somewhere along the way and short-cutted by a lot, as five or six of them finished about 20 minutes before the rest of the group jogged in past the fishpond.

We were all this happy today.

Additional distractions included a gorgeous blue heron that kept swooping about through the trees by the stream, and some lovely yellow flowers that seem related to orchids, and at least two grisly sites by the side of the path.  It's not easy to follow directions under those circumstances.  Plus, the information that Red Hot and Blue had provided the vittles, which is reason enough to shortcut.

So the FRBs got back to the deck, generously supplied with seating, not too long after the walkers did, and Lori set out great pans of barbeque and at least three kinds of salad (she garnished the Caesar with fresh lemon wedges -- who does that for a hash?), plus a fancy asparagus ravioli for the herbivores.  There were a few Tecates spotted amongst the Red Hooks, but the Duck Sucker was off in Florida, so the excitement over the beer selection may have been slightly more subdued than it might have been.

Mufti hollered the roll from an especially comfy chair, pausing about the middle so Brogue Bait and Pumpmaster (two of the FRBs; what a surprise) could bring out a cake for Air Horn's something-or-otherith birthday.  And Sarah celebrated run #1, and Joyce bravely accepted her 99th.  Oh, yes indeedy, there was a meeting of the executive committee.  I wonder what they came up with....

Couldn't be happier, in fact.

The neighbors showed up after all the shouting and exercising was over to help prevent leftovers, and Blazing Straddle made it home with both pups, despite Greg's recurring efforts to kidnap one.  It's unusual for the girls not to make it into the photos, but they didn't this week.  Proof is right here.

Tomorrow I'll post a link Greg sent me so you can see an aerial view of the route.  Or something.  And here it is; let us know what you think via the 'comments' option.