Ghost Tracking & Hunting

Are you missing the feel of a cold breeze; the chill down your spine? The sound of steps down a darkened hallway, wings of bats in the moonlight, and the whispers on the wind? **It’s time to share Ghost Stories!** This event is geared towards those with tales of experiences from the great beyond. Come with an open mind and a story of your own, and we will together explore and hold space for sharing experiences and embracing the spooky side of life…. And death! We will provide popcorn – but please feel free to bring a spooky treat of your own to share with the group! Additionally, you can also bring a blanket or something cozy to sit on while we share. Event cost: $5

**IMPORTANT -** If you are not 100% committed please do ***not RSVP.*** No shows will be de-propritized for future events. Lets do a 2-night backpacking trip over Memorial Day weekend! The Mount Rogers/Grayson Highlands loop hike is an iconic section of the Appalachian Trail, located in the southwestern hills of Virginia within the Jefferson National Forest. This region is best known for its vast mountain views and alpine peaks with **wild ponies** roaming about. This area is also home to Virginia's highest point, Mount Rogers, sitting at 5,729'. This is a premier east-coast backpacking destination, so don't miss this one. ## **Trail Facts** * **Difficulty Level:** Moderate * **Length:** 21.4 Miles * **Duration:** 3 Days * **Elevation Gain:** 3,898 Feet * **Bear Canisters:** Not Required * **Permits:** None * **Dogs**: Allowed * **Meetup/Carpool:** Vienna Metro South * **Trailhead Parking:** 36.6893579, -81.5320954 * **AllTrails Map**: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/mount-rogers-and-appalachian-trail-loop-958adb5?u=i&sh=rak641 **Trail Details:** We will meet at The Vienna Metro station on Saturday morning at 8am and drive to the Mt Rogers Trailhead (off Rt 603). This parking lot is **NOT** the paid lot near Masie Gap, and so can fill up. I'd like to try to get there as early as possible. The drive is about 5 hours. I will drive and am happy to have others carpool with me - but please note, I will have my small black labrador in the back seat. **Day 1** After we park, we will hike about 7 miles to our campsite, diverting once to summit Mt Rogers. There arent any views here, but it's worth the .3 miles to say you've been to the highest point in VA! We will camp on the first night at the scenic tent sites near the Thomas Knob Shelter on the AT. There is water at this site and we may see wild ponies if we're lucky. **Day 2** The second day is about 10.7 miles, which includes spectacular views, unique rock formations and wide open grassy meadows. We will camp near the Old Orchard Shelter. There is a spring with water at this site as well. **Day 3** The third day will be a short 3.5 mile hike from camp back to the cars. Getting to the cars early will mean that we should get back to DC around 4-5pm. On the drive home, I plan to stop at Martin's in downtown Roanoke (413 1st St SW, Roanoke, VA 24011). **Essential Items**: * Tent * Sleeping pad​ * Sleeping bag suitable for expected temperatures​ * Backpack (appropriate for overnight backpacking)​ * Backpacking stove with fuel​ * Pot, cup, dish, and utensils​ * Dehydrated meals​ and snacks * Water bottles or hydration system (capacity for at least 2 liters)​ * Water filter or purification tablets​ * Headlamp with extra batteries​ * Rain gear * Dry bags or pack cover​ * Warm clothing layers (non-cotton) * Trowel for and toiletries for Leave-No-Trace compliance **Optional Items**: * Personal first aid kit​ * Map and compass or GPS device * Power bank or external battery * Trekking poles​ * Camp shoes * Electrolyte supplements​ * Alcohol​ * Books, games, or other enterainment * Gaiters​ * Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent​​ **CARPOOL:** Don't forget if you want a ride or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment, save money, and make friends. **LIABILITY NOTICE:** Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.​ For more information on the common adventurer model, please see [Ron Watters' definition](https://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.htm).​ If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the [US Forest Service](https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost). ​ See you on the trail!

Join us at **Hashtag** in Herndon on Thursday, **May 21st** at **6pm**. Adventure and roll dice with this week's **Starfinder** **GM: Maria**. **The story:** Having secured a secret entrance to the Wreck of the Returned, the Starfinder Society is finally ready to launch a rescue mission into the Wreck, to liberate the lost Starfinder Zizenzi and the countless other citizens of Akiton who’ve been abducted by the Functionary’s forces and await forced conversion into mindless servitors of the Wreck. While numerous teams prepare to enter the conversion facility, First Seeker Sarmak has tasked one special team with breaching the conversion facility’s central control room and dispatching the cure to conversion through the ventilation system. If successful, all the converted innocents within the Wreck will regain their autonomy and break free from the Wreck’s control. Unfortunately, the central control is sure to be heavily guarded… Prepare for battle, Starfinders! **Notes**: Replayable (with a different character) *This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot.* \*\*\*\* **The Characters:** You can use a [level 3 pregen](https://paizo.com/starfinder) *or* bring your own if you have a society character in the 3-4 range. We'll have have paper copies of the pregens if anyone needs one. -Some character building options are [Starbuilder 2e](https://pathbuilder2e.com/app.html?v=102b) (made by the maker of Pathbuilder!), [Hephaistos](https://sf2e.hephaistos.online/), [Demiplane](https://app.demiplane.com/characters), using the new Starfinder Player Core and pen/[paper](https://downloads.paizo.com/RemasterPlayerCoreCharacterSheet.pdf#), etc. You can use options from the [Invasion's Edge Player's Guide](https://downloads.paizo.com/OP-Files/SFS+Invasions+Edge+Players+Guide.pdf) too. \*\*\* **THE GAME:** [Starfinder](https://paizo.com/starfindersociety) 2e is a role-playing game similar to Pathfinder 2e (or Dungeons & Dragons) but in space with magic *and* technology. In this one-shot, you can jump in as a new player or join if you're more experienced. \*\*\* If you have any questions, feel free to comment or send a message.

Run starts promptly at 9:45 am and follows a 1.5 mile loop around the lake. Do however many loops you like! Run at your own pace. After the run, we'll meet at the Brew House for a beer or coffee and BREAKFAST pretzels! Those cannot be anything but delicious. See you there.

**It's finally FNL season!!! Lost In Paris is a combination of four unique and distinct musical talents. Their one-of-a-kind show culminates as a musical and visual experience that leaves audiences floored and screaming for more. From its inception, Lost In Paris has been at the pinnacle of the Northeast cover band and event scenes.** **We will meet by the beer tent.**