Rat

**Please read fully before sign-in.** You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This hike is 14.5 miles’ loop with an elevation gain of approximately 2600 ft., featuring scenic Little and Big Schloss overlook on Great North Mountain trails. Hike starts from the parking lot across FDR92 near purple blazed Little Sluice Mtn trail. Hike ends near Little Stoney Creek parking area at FDR92 intersection where we will all park. We will do a short shuttle in the morning to avoid walking additional 2.5 miles on the FDR at the end of the hike. **Because this is a relatively hard hard hike in a remote area , if I don't know you, please message me with a recent A or A plus hike that you have done.** Please refer the GPS coordinates for exact trailhead parking location(s). If you plan to meet at Centreville Park and Ride, be there in time to sort out carpools and leave by 7:00 AM. Need to know details: Distance: 14.5 miles (approximately) Elevation gain: 2600 feet (approximately) Pace: 2.5 Mph Terrain: Up/Down; Rock Scramble; Few water crossings Park entry fee: $0 Carpool Fee: $10 **Trailhead Parking Lot Coordinates: (Please read fully and carefully)** Little Stoney Creek Parking: [38.93795, -78.64623](https://maps.app.goo.gl/uobhFqXgETFiUdq8A). We will all meet at the Little Stoney Creek Parking area and then shuttle all the hikers back to the Little Sluice Mtn trail parking: [38.90833, -78.64085](https://maps.app.goo.gl/535Gv5NMLtcv5q9V7) where we will begin the hike. Distance between two parking lots is 2.5 miles approx. CARPOOLING: From Centerville Park and Ride, please proceed to “Little Stoney Creek parking.” Only 2-3 cars will transport all the hikers back to “Little Sluice Mtn Trail parking” where we start the hike. We should not fill the cars up completely at Centerville so we can accommodate the short shuttle. Neither the Club nor the hike leader is responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Suggested carpool fee: $10.00 per rider. Driving time from the Centreville, VA Park & Ride to the trailhead is about 90 minutes. Meetup time at Little Stoney Creek parking area is 9:00 a.m. Directions from Centreville Park and Ride: [https://goo.gl/maps/y81kyHE16H9hmqdQ9](https://goo.gl/maps/y81kyHE16H9hmqdQ9) (To Little Stoney Creek parking area). Approximate drive time is 90 minutes one way. Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/afternoon-hike-at-little-schloss-and-big-schloss-loop-dfd7468 Dogs permitted in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy: [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) Bring: Adequate water, food/snacks, hat, layers, basic first aid kit, rain gear (depending on weather), hiking poles, hiking shoe, sunscreen, bug spray, water shoe (for water crossing, if any), additional pair of socks and your big happy smile 😊. Request you to send your full name, contact number and emergency number for sign in. Any questions? Message or text me! Looking forward to this awesome hike, Caroline 703-489-1315

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. Celebrate springtime with a 10 mile hike with 700' of elevation gain showcasing two lakes, wildflowers and a botanical garden. We will begin at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center in Reston, and take Reston paths to the W&OD equestrian trail, which we will follow easterly until the intersection with the Meadowlark Connector Trail. That trail leads to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, operated by NOVA Parks. We’ll walk for about a mile through the gardens to see flowering plants, the Korean Bell Garden and a koi pond. After a lunch break, we’ll backtrack but this time follow the W&OD paved path part of the way. From the W&OD to the South Lakes Village Shopping Center we’ll take a different route, looking for wildflowers as we hike through a stream valley and up and down hills on unpaved trails, including the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. If we’re lucky, wood poppies and wild azaleas will be in bloom along our route in Reston as they were at approximately the same time last year: The final segment will be on mostly asphalt paths along Reston’s lakes Audubon and Thoreau. Overall, about 60 percent of the hike will be on paved surfaces. We hike at a pace of between 2.5-3.0 mph when moving, but the loop through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will be a stroll with stops. Restrooms are available at the South Lakes Village Shopping Center and at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, and there’s a porta potty along the W&OD Trail at roughly the halfway point between Reston and the gardens. No dogs permitted on this hike. Leader: Ed Brimberg 703-944-9920 (C) NVHC hiker Maurice will assist in guiding us through this route. [Rating: B](https://nvhc.com/hikeinfo/ratings/) Gardens Entry Fee: For groups of 10 or more, money to be collected by leader. Exact change appreciated. Under 60 - $6.00 60 or older: $3.00 AllTrails Map for hike: [https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-april-14-2025-a14185b-3?u=i&sh=7cs7ov](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-april-14-2025-a14185b-3?u=i&sh=7cs7ov) Map of Garden: [https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/MC-ML-ParkMap_FL_3.24.25.pdf](https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/MC-ML-ParkMap_FL_3.24.25.pdf)

Meet in front of Copper Canyon by the benches.
We'll do anywhere from 3-5 laps. It's .75 miles around and we usually do 3/4 laps. For safety reasons, we’re going to keep the group to two small groups of eight members each. Sometimes it get crowded there so we don’t want to have any mishaps. 
Afterwards, if we like the group will decide where to grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants at the RIO. If you happen to be late, walk, counterclockwise around the lake and you should see us walking

Join us for another session of our study group as we continue our coverage of the book Domain-Specific Small Language Models. In this session, we will attempt to cover Chapters 9 on "Advanced Quantization Techniques" and Chapter 10, on "Profiling Insights" to understand resource utilization by an SLM. This isn't just a lecture! Come ready to ask questions, share insights, and code along. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this is the perfect opportunity to continue to learn together. If you plan to work with the code on your own laptop during the session, try and download the code from here https://github.com/virtualramblas/Domain-Specific-Small-Language-Models ahead of time.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This hike runs at 8.90 miles and 380 feet elevation, just at the upper limit for a C hike. We will start at the Bike Lane Brewing &Café, at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston VA 20190, **at 9.00 am.** From there we will follow the W&OD trail to Sunrise Valley Avenue. There we take a left and walk for half a mile through a residential area, then hitting the Difficult Run trail on Brittenford Drive. After about a mile, the Difficult Run trail merges with the Cross County Trail that brings us to Colvin Run Mill, where we will stop for our break. We may have a quick look at the tunnel to nowhere, to see if the works on the passway have started. After the break we will hike through Colvin Run Mill Park, all the time staying close to Colvin Run. The final part of the hike takes us through Lake Fairfax Park, and then ……. back to the Bike Lane Brewery, where we can rehydrate with noble liquids, maybe sitting outside. The weather forecast for Friday April 24 is promising. Most of the surface is easy going, but there are some rocky parts, especially towards the end. There are two river crossings, one on well-spaced concrete pillars and one on large and well-spaced boulders. Please make sure that you take enough supplies and that you are prepared for the weather: sunscreen or raincoat! **Pace:** 2½ mph when moving. **Leader:** Willem Janssen, cell 202-280-4397 **Rating:** C **Map:** https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-october-23-2024-e3958a8?u=i&sh=g8n9nn **Dogs** are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **Trailhead:** We will start at the parking lot at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston, VA 20190 **Coordinates:** 38.948128, -77.330420

**Billy Goat Sections A and B weather permitting. If canceled I will reschedule.**

**Note the address says SE but it should be SW** HSLC is excited to collaborate with October One Vineyard for a monthly Yappy Hour! To support our local animals, please bring a pet food donation and you’ll be entered into a raffle for free tastings and glasses! You can also purchase raffle tickets. Your monetary donations help cover much-needed medical expenses for homeless and at-risk animals. This event will be 5-8pm on the last Friday of every month at the October One Vineyard tasting shop in Downtown Leesburg. This event is free to the public, so stop by and raise a glass. HSLC will be on hand to answer questions and let you know about available animals. Let’s “cheer” up our local area animals in need!

This is one of my fav hikes that combines very scenic valley and river views. We'll start with the Gold Mine trail which runs along the bluff above Great Falls. We'll then hike the Billy Goat A trail, which is one of the most scenic hikes in Maryland. A large part of this hike is scrambling over boulders and rock faces. It is a challenging hike that has very scenic views of the river. The total distance will be 6 miles with about 500 feet of elevation gain. We'll hike at a slightly faster pace, and it should take about 3.5 hours. This hike is not for beginners. Please only RSVP if you hike or walk at least 6 miles per week at a faster pace. If you can't keep up, we will leave you behind, so it's your responsibility to know the route and how to get home on your own if you have to. After the hike, we might go grab a bite at Fish Taco, 7945 Macarthur Blvd, Cabin John, MD 20818 Parking: \-\- The closest place to park is in one of the small lots on the left side of MacArthur Blvd directly across the street from Old Anglers Inn\. But these lots are often full\. \-\- The best place to park is on the street on Stable Lane\. Stable Lane is just past Old Anglers Inn on the right\. \-\- You will also see a lot of cars parked on MacArthur Blvd even though there are "No Parking" signs\. I've never seen anyone towed or ticketed for parking on MacArthur Blvd\, but you're on your own there\. Note that this event is cross posted with the Fast and Fun Hikers meetup group. Hope you can join us! \*\*\* IMPORTANT \*\*\* BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT, YOU AGREE TO THE LIABILITY WAIVER, INDEMNIFICATION, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS ([https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z39AGebAVz9c-3S4zf3tj4Eb7V9k3PrH/view](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z39AGebAVz9c-3S4zf3tj4Eb7V9k3PrH/view)) (revision 12/1/22). PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE RSVP'ING.

**✨ Join Us at Peter Chang in Herndon!** Join your DTs friends and family for an unforgettable Szechuan dinner at Peter Chang, located at 2322 Silver Arrow Wy, Herndon, VA 20171. It’s time to stop dreaming about spice and start living it. Join us at the legendary Peter Chang in Herndon for dazzling, nuanced, and seriously addictive Szechuan cuisine. If you're ready for the málà (numbing and spicy) sensation that defines the region, this is your pilgrimage. We're going to feast on signature dishes like their famous soup dumplings, spectacular Scallion Bubble Pancake, rich Dry-Fried Eggplant, Mongolian beef, and whatever other authentic, flavorful masterpieces we can fit on the table. Every Thursday is a new flavor with DTs. Come find yours! [https://peterchangherndon.com/](https://peterchangherndon.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExQ003SHljZzMwT1ZHQjU1YnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIIY2FsbHNpdGUBMgABHtPr-ZKGO8_f96Xj0WUhTq8Lap2uAWoz9sIgF5Y3QVOuyswsO98OB-9zo6OM_aem_GjMeBvYxE3MTai8VDAgewA&brid=1E16dMBo0d8FySYJcSI5sQ) If possible, please RSVP on our **Facebook** or **Meetup** pages so we can let the restaurant know how many people to expect. We will have a few extra seats available for last-minute joiners, but we get a big crowd, so please let us know! We don't want to leave you sitting at the bar!

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/8/0/2/1/event_41792801.jpeg Washington DC Metro Shiba Inu Meetup.

🎾 Welcome to Tennis Lovers DMV 3+ 🎾 This group is for intermediate & advanced players 💪 with a USTA NTRP rating of 3.0+ ⭐ We thrive on competitive doubles 🔥🤝 and invite you to join us and RSVP ✅ for our exciting meetup events! Let’s rally, compete, and have a blast — see you on the court soon! 🎾😄🏆

Socrates Café meets on the first Saturday of each month. Though this may be considered a "philosophical" group, there are no rules as to what is discussed. Usually, the topics revolve around social concerns, morality, and the first principles of things. Prior to each meeting we vote online for the questions we will discuss. That way, we will have enough time to ruminate on them and have more in-depth conversations. If you RSVP to a meeting, you may post your question in the event comments section below. I'll send out a survey for voting a few days prior to the meetup. We discuss two questions each night. So you will get to cast two votes in the survey. When we meet, we break into smaller groups of five to seven to discuss the top two vote-getters. Each group discusses one question for around 45-50 minutes, and we then take a short break. After reconvening, each group moves on to its second question. Hope to see you there! -Brian

The next NoVABeerSec event - "Informal Gathering of Security Minds Over Beer" will be Wednesday, April 29th, 5:30PM til 7:30ish at Aslin Beer Company - Herndon Taproom (767 Elden St., Herndon VA 20170). **Venue for April:** Aslin Beer Company (https://www.aslinbeer.com) - Aslin Beer Co. was founded in 2015 by Andrew Kelley and Kai Leszkowicz. The name, Aslin, comes from the family that connected Andrew and Kai through marriage; they each married a daughter from the Aslin Family. Andrew’s professional background was in finance and consulting, while Kai worked in public service. They bonded over a shared interest of craft beer and home-brewing, which eventually lead to the idea that “We can do this too.” **Additional Info:** We are an inclusive group, so if we missed anyone please let us know or if you want to bring your significant other/spouse please do. We do know there are folks that have changed roles since we last met so please also let us know if we need to add new contact info for people. Have a great week and see you later this month! Cheers, Rinaldi Rampen & Mike McCabe of @NoVABeerSec

Join us for a volunteer day helping the animals at Rosie's Farm Sanctuary in Potomac, MD. Before attending this event, you must sign a liability waiver. Please use this link [https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/](https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/b5nky2tonaovjqgjn6ap5p/web/) The chores you will be doing are physical. You will be working on big projects that require many volunteers like removing old bedding, sanitizing stals and replacing with new bedding, along with the daily clean up chores. Wear boots and clothing you don’t mind getting dirty. Feel free to bring a filled water bottle. On sunny days a brimmed hat and sunglasses may be helpful. Sunscreen is also suggested. Please do not bring any food or yummy-smelling items on your body or in your bag as our animals love to eat and are on special diets. Out of respect for the animals, we do not allow any food with animal products to be consumed at Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. Please ensure that all edible items are plant-based (no dairy, no cheese, no cow’s milk ice cream, no meat, no fish, no eggs). Thank you for your cooperation and respect for this. It is very important to us. There is a gift shop where you can browse and warm up during the event. Please post your pictures and tag Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and VSDC! Stick around at the end for a group photo behind the barn. If there is interest, we may go out to eat in one of our local vegan restaurants afterward. We are limited to 30 volunteers, so please change your RSVP if you cannot attend. Rosie's Farm Sanctuary is always in need of volunteers. If you want to volunteer with them outside of VSDC's volunteer days, make sure to visit [Rosies Farm Sanctuary ](https://rosiesfarmsanctuary.org/volunteer/) to sign up. By coming to this event, we expect you to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC: More Than A Meetup** We are delighted to have you as part of The Veg Society of DC Vegan Meetup group, and we look forward to seeing you at our events. Did you know that [VSDC](https://vsdc.org/%20) is a nonprofit organization with membership benefits? With VSDC membership, you will save money at area restaurants and businesses, attend VSDC member-only events, and, most importantly, support us as a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. The membership fee is minimal, but the impact is significant! [Join today](https://vsdc.org/membership/)! **Ways to Stay In Touch with Us** Thank you for being part of our Meetup presence and bringing like-minded people together. We invite you to: * Become a [VSDC member](https://vsdc.org/membership/) to save money at area restaurants and support us in being a clear and consistent voice for improving the lives of all beings through community building and education centered on the benefits of a vegan diet and lifestyle. * Sign up for our[ monthly e-newsletter](https://vsdc.org/about/newsletter/) to hear more about our activities. * Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/vegsocietydc/) or [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/vegsocietydc/) to engage with us. **Interested in Volunteering with VSDC?** VSDC offers many events each month, thanks to the dedication of our event planning team. Would you consider volunteering? To learn more and get started, [please visit our website](https://vsdc.org/volunteer/). **Only Vegan Food, Please** While VSDC welcomes people wherever they are on the path to an all-plant, vegan diet and lifestyle, it is our policy that only vegan food be served and consumed at our events. If you would like to [explore a vegan diet or get support in making lifestyle changes, consider these resources](https://vsdc.org/exploringvegan/). **Liability Waiver and Code of Conduct** When you sign up to attend, you automatically acknowledge [VSDC's Liability Waiver](https://vsdc.org/activity-waiver/) and commit to follow the code of conduct found at [Policies - VSDC - Veg Society of DC](https://vsdc.org/policies/). **VSDC. Creating communities. For your health, the animals, and the planet.**

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, **[https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf)** and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "**I Accept"** to be permitted on the hike. **8.00 mile circuit hike with 500 feet of elevation gain.** **Description:** Our Hike will begin at **Pennyfield Lock 22** along the **C&O Canal** in the **[Pennyfield Lock Parking Lot](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** , and heads over to the **[C&O Canal Towpath.](https://www.canaltrust.org/plan/co-canal-towpath/)** While walking along the water’s edge, keep an eye out for sunbathing **[turtles](https://www.canaltrust.org/2020/10/top-5-photographed-turtle-species-on-the-co-canal/)**, elegant **[Blue Herons](https://potomac.org/blog/2022/7/11/5-large-birds-you-can-easily-spot-along-the-potomac-river)** and yes, **[snakes](https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/nature/reptiles-amphibians.htm)** too, all the while soaking in sweeping views of the **Potomac River.** From there the hike heads up into the **[BlockHouse Point](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[ ](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)** offering spectacular views of the **[Potomac River](https://www.americanrivers.org/river/potomac-river/).** **Facilities:** Portable bathrooms at the trailhead **Hike Pace**: Pace will be about **2.0 – 2.5 mph** while moving. **Bring:** Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, insect repellant and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots, stream crossing. Hiking poles if you normally use them. **Fee:** None **Dogs:** dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the **[NVHC Dog Policy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy)**. Please be sure your dog is able to hike the distance, **Where to Meet:** **GPS Coordinates**: **39°03'14.7"N 77°17'20.4"W** **[LINK](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1eeDTXwpeV94x4cC8)** **Address:** Pennyfield Lock Road Parking Lot, **12400 Pennyfield Lock Rd · Potomac, MD** Pennyfield Lock Road is about 5.5 miles northwest of Potomac Village on River Road. Turn left onto Pennyfield Lock Road, take it to the very end, then turn left, and continue a few hundred feet to the Porta-Johns where we will park. **CONTACT INFO:** Any questions, please message me here or text me at 703 533 9231 Dawn K. Hike Leader **MAPS:** **[BlockHouse Point Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** **[AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/blockhouse-point-loop-trail)**

What's better than brunch? Brunch with the LGBTQ+ community, of course! Join the Dulles Triangles at 11:00 AM for a dazzling brunch at **[Amphora Diner](http://amphoragroup.com/amphoras-diner-deluxe/)**, located at **1151 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170**. This is your chance to catch up with old pals, make some new ones, and bask in the glory of a Sunday well-brunched! Amphora’s menu is as diverse as our community, offering everything from omelets and pancakes to divine bakery treats. Seriously, their pastries are more irresistible than a shirtless Ryan Gosling holding a puppy! **RSVP Required!** Amphora needs a headcount beforehand, and adding seats at the last minute is like trying to squeeze into last year’s pride outfit—tricky! To ensure you get a seat at the brunch extravaganza, RSVP on Meetup or in the Dulles Triangles Facebook group by the day before. Those who RSVP get priority seating, and we promise not to judge if you show up in sequins. Remember to ask for Dulles Triangles when you arrive. Use the links below to RSVP and secure your spot faster than you can say "mimosas." This event is usually held on the first Sunday of each month, but check for updates because we like to keep things as flexible as our dance moves. Keep an eye on the current schedule so you don't miss out!

Looking for a spring weekend for this one. We will be gathering in front of the Tavern at 2 pm and will walk south along the towpath or Berma Road (depending on crowds) until we reach the wide water bridge entrance (across the street from Old Anglers). Please note that on perfect fall days it may be very long wait to get into the park so please check announcements related to park entrance wait times. If you miss us at 2 pm I'm sure you can catch us if you enter the park around 3 at wide water entrance. Otherwise just run along the tow path and ask where the corgis are and I'm sure you will catch up to us. This walk should be roughly 2-4 miles total. You may turn back at any point on your own if you or your corgi is exhausted. However, please note this is NOT the "death march" version of the walk as it starts at 2pm - I will schedule the death march version by poplular request as most folks don't want to walk til they drop.

This location is where GRASP started in April 2022 and we're so excited to see it open as a pizza restaurant again! This will be a great opportunity to meet friends old and new while enjoying pizza that has become quite a hit in the DMV area! Andy's serves pizza by the slice and also wine by the bottle. Two slices of pizza and a coke cost about $12. It all started with a ball of Trader Joe’s pizza dough. Over nearly a decade, Andy Brown has refined his recipe from semihomemade to a from-scratch crust that ferments for 72 hours before it’s baked in a hot stone oven. This location, in Kentlands, is the newest but Andy’s is quickly mushrooming around DC and NoVA. With its pliable crust, tangy tomatoes, and high-quality cheese, this is one of the most awarded pizzas in the DMV.