Rockhound

One of Adventuring's quirkier traditions is a trek on some stretch of the sprawling Gettysburg Battlefield in mid-January, during what statistically should be the coldest time of year. The secret to keeping warm is to maintain an invigorating pace, with fewer and shorter interpretive stops to discuss the events of July 1863. Plus, we always wind up our day by warming up in a cheerful local tavern with suitable refreshments, alcoholic or otherwise. The advantage we derive by traipsing around the battlefield at such a seemingly inauspicious time is that we can see and appreciate things normally blocked to view when the leaves are out. This year, our itinerary will focus on parts of the battlefield involved with Pickett's Charge, perhaps the most spectacular debacle in American military history. We will hike through segments of both Union and Confederate lines and wind up marching in the very footsteps of the brave but doomed Rebels charging across open fields into the maws of the Army of the Potomac. Our story climaxes with perhaps the most heavily witnessed and recorded same-sex kiss in the entire Civil War. Afterwards we shall repair for recuperation and refreshments at an appropriate town watering hole. Total length of our easy-to-moderate loop hike should not exceed 6 miles, with deceptively little elevation gain over rolling and muddy and/or icy terrain. Bring beverages, lunch and sturdy winter-worthy footwear, and dress in layers. Carpool passengers should pay their drivers $15, and everyone will pay the $5 Adventuring trip fee, cash or Venmo. There will be a pit stop en route at a Sheetz for those wishing to draw rations there. We will gather to form our carpool at 9 a.m. on the Sunday of the MLK Birthday weekend in the Kiss & Ride lot of the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station and should return by 6 p.m. Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.

This event is organized and hosted by Veronica. Please direct any questions to Veronica: 914-330-0236 - 🌟 **Miss Vee is hosting a...SPADES POP UP EVENT!!!** 🌟 Join us for food, fun, and lots of Spades. Spend your holiday weekend playing cards with friends. 🗓 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 📍 Mercury Lounge 9433 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 🕑 3pm to 9pm 🚗 Free parking on Sundays **Here's what you get:** 🎶 A Live DJ 🍗 Food Deals 🍷 Drink Specials **NO WORK ON MONDAY!** Have questions? Contact Vee: 914-330-0236 See photo section for more details.

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

Open gaming at Panera! New players welcome. We have many games on hand or you can bring your own. We are happy to teach or learn one of yours.

A Starfinder Society Scenario designed for 3rd- through 4th-level characters, playable in 2-3 hours. The Starfinder Society has suffered in their quest to explore the mysterious Wreck of the Returned—they’ve lost good agents to the Wreck’s defenses and clashed with a rising foe called the Functionary, who claims to serve a being at the heart of the Wreck itself and is to blame for numerous local abductions. Now, raiders have begun attacking the Society’s vehicle convoys, disrupting their supply chain and stealing valuable discoveries. But the Starfinders aren’t the only victim of these raiders—three other groups endure these attacks, all of whom are bent on exploring the Wreck of the Returned. Determined to put an end to these attacks, and suspecting the Functionary is to blame, First Seeker Sarmak dispatches a team of Starfinders to investigate the raiders and lure them into a trap. Gather your allies, enact your plan, and pray the raiders take the bait! This is an adventure in the ongoing Invasion's Edge metaplot. Written by Jeremy Corff.

Does it feel like the world is ending? Stop doomscrolling and try some vigorous outdoor activity! We are NPS Weed Warriors and Arlington Regional Master Naturalists and you should volunteer with us on Sunday, January 18 to learn about nature and remove invasive plants from everyone's favorite urban island. Meet us at the entrance to the bridge (on the parking lot side, look for the sign) at 10:00 and bring your garden gloves and loppers/pruners if you have them. If not, we can provide gloves and tools. Wear long sleeves and pants and don't forget a water bottle. We will have tasks ranging from easy (cutting English ivy and honeysuckle vines from trees) to hard (sawing down bush honeysuckle). Parking at TRI can be tight if it's a pretty day. When the parking lot is full, you can park in Rosslyn and take the trail down. If you can bike or walk or take public transit, that's wonderful. We'll see you there! Erica, Stephanie, and Heidi P.S. If you can't wait until then to RIP (Remove Invasive Plants!), go here to find more volunteer opportunities in Arlington parks: [Volunteer to Restore Native Habitat – Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (armn.org)](https://armn.org/volunteer-opportunities/)

The parking lot fills up quickly so make sure to arrive early. Meeting point - https://maps.app.goo.gl/jdRjxPyVEmR45BxDA Questions/lost? Call 240-447-4796 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/great-falls-park-from-difficult-run 4.3mi Length 393ft Elevation gain Loop The parking lot fills up quickly so make sure to arrive early. A beautiful walk-in route to Great Falls Park along Difficult Run provides great views all along the way. A great loop for hikers that are looking for a little more than a gentle walking path. If you go clockwise, you can enjoy walking towards the Great Falls overlooks.

This event is organized and hosted by Veronica. Please direct any questions to Veronica: 914-330-0236 - 🌟 **Miss Vee is hosting a...SPADES POP UP EVENT!!!** 🌟 Join us for food, fun, and lots of Spades. Spend your holiday weekend playing cards with friends. 🥳 Posted in multiple groups. So, expect a nice crowd. 🗓 SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 📍 Mercury Lounge 9433 Georgia Ave Silver Spring, MD 🕑 3pm to 9pm 🚗 Free parking on Sundays **Here's what you get:** 🎶 A Live DJ 🍗 Food Deals 🍷 Drink Specials **NO WORK ON MONDAY!** Have questions? Contact Vee: 914-330-0236 See photo section for more details.

Higher Grounds – Del Ray is part of a growing network of gatherings where we create space for thoughtful, authentic dialogue about what matters most. Whether we’re exploring the nature of happiness, the challenges and possibilities of midlife, spirituality, culture, capitalism, parenting, or the role of art and travel in a meaningful life, every conversation is shaped by the people in the room. There’s no set leader or rigid agenda—just a shared commitment to listen as much as we speak. We start with brief introductions focused on what makes you *you* (not your LinkedIn bio), then dive straight into whatever is on people’s minds. The direction of each meetup emerges organically, making every event unique. MANDATORY: PLEASE REVIEW OUR COMMUNITY GUIDELINES IN THE GROUP DESCRIPTION. Everyone is expected to engage in respectful conversations and listen deeply as well as share. We have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment and hate speech. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others in Del Ray who are also seeking deeper conversations. **Suggested Questions: Life Stages & Transitions** 1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging? 2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists? 3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about? **Suggested Questions: Identity After the Roles** 1. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? 2. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed? 3. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted? **Suggested Questions: AI & Being Human** 1. What human experiences will AI never truly understand? 2. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do? 3. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated? **Suggested Questions: Belief & Meaning** 1. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space? 2. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live? 3. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self? **Suggested Questions: The Modern Psyche** 1. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have? 2. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire? 3. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept? **Suggested Questions: Work & Purpose** 1. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you? 2. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors? 3. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years? **Suggested Questions: Relationships & Connection** 1. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why? 2. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best? 3. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others? **Suggested Questions: Time & Mortality** 1. What are you running out of time to say or do? 2. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite? 3. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail? **Suggested Questions: Society & Culture** 1. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense? 2. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing? 3. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years? **Suggested Questions: Personal Philosophy** 1. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way? 2. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out? 3. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

**60’s Garage & Soul vs. contemporary Punk** It’s a Saturday night double bill at the TP VFW featuring GoModGo!, a 10 piece band playing 60s garage and soul, and Apollo 66, the house band at 1st Saturday’s Garage Punk Rock Night at the Cissel-Saxon American Legion Hall in downtown Silver Spring. [GoModGo! on bandcamp ](https://gomodgo.bandcamp.com/album/move-on-up) [Apollo 66 on bandcamp](https://apollo66.bandcamp.com/album/never-and-also-now) Hell's Bottom (VFW 350 in TP) is a favorite hang with cheap drinks, no cover (but be sure to tip the band), a decent dance floor, and plenty of interesting characters. The McHenry Sisters food truck offers pub grub for those nighttime munchies. The bands start at 730 and I'll be at the bar.

**Alpine stile, North Fork Mountain, WV - Winter Traverse** 2 days backpacking - 24 mile **IMPORTANT:** All the time we will be traveling on or next to the ridge line and we will be expose to the wind, this will make this trip an Alpine experience, be protected with the right layers of cloths is essential. **Gear required:** 1.) Backpack 2.) Tent 3.) Sleeping bag (20F or better if 0F) 4.) Sleeping pad 5.) 3-4 lt. of water, there is no water supply on North Fork (Do not use camelback, the hose will totally froze in no time) 6.) Micro-spikes 7.) Hiking shoes /boots 8.) 3 pair of extra socks 9.) 2 piece rain suit (top & bottom) 10.) Legging gaiters 11.) Hat, gloves 12.) Extra warm layers, jacket 13.) Head lamp with extra batteries 14.) Small garbage bag 15.) Cooking hardware (backpacking stove-gas cannister-pot-dish-spoon) 16.) Dehydrate food and plenty of snacks This is a one way shuttle trek, the general plan is to head over the end of the trail (point B on description bellow) leave a car there and proceed to star of trail head (point A on description bellow) **Friday night car camp:** Redman Run Trail Parking (38.912332, -79.261841) **Hike start - Point A** Trail head parking (38.710801, -79.401991) **Hike end - Point B** Trail head parking (38.981855, -79.230984) **North Fork Mountain detailed trail map** [http://www.hikingupward.com/MNF/NorthForkMountain/](http://www.hikingupward.com/MNF/NorthForkMountain/) **North Fork Mountain general area trail map** [http://www.wvhighlands.org/Pages/Maps_NFM.html](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wvhighlands.org%2FPages%2FMaps_NFM.html&h=ATMoIFAapg0J-A94Uf3uxzP2hkGk8GuLff1m46dNaA-GFcsAly-sjAvBsLoLN_f6OF3nzm3suPpBtUVh3jIx766vk4oh1g8eBOZF7Qqna5PO6aoBNLZnR84Xo7BJr9JopFXhvEEled48O64VSpRxiObLa7qC2PfjQbpPUg4SA7-1TbkqkMUzTvxyfA) **Google driving directions:** [https://goo.gl/maps/yJBVKK1Quim](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgoo.gl%2Fmaps%2FyJBVKK1Quim&h=ATNNTfluXFEa85nhBMXaxU9qEfkLC0nWYX8nADC9hFYAufd44Fo3I_NgsZfAH7Lu0wkbw7l0O4nkRYkKwt0SJzwGHyIroHxafqxUepYEYu3js4adD_JJGL5wiFSpWtryhK9piMGG38r5cEGjgMxtch7A5a4Acz34GQWR0xP5Q-xDGiD5Ah-G7i88Vg)

New players are always welcome to come try it out! What you need: A bathing suit. Preferably something light and tight. We have extra gear for new players. But if you have your own pair of flippers, a snorkeling mask, and a snorkel then bring them along. Please bring this signed and completed form to practice: https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/c7dc-2321473/USOA_Waiver_2022-07-07.pdf Unless you are already a member of USOA: https://www.underwater-society.org/page/show/4284471-usoa-registration To find us: You can tell the front desk that you are here for underwater hockey and they will let you in for free. You can ask them for help finding the pool. If no one is at the front desk just walk past it and there will be a set of stairs on the left. Take the stairs and take a right at the bottom of the stairs. The men's and women's locker rooms are straight ahead, and you will need to go through them to access the pool deck. Once you are out on the pool deck you will be exactly where we practice. Agenda: First 15 minutes: Arrival at the pool, getting gear from the shared gear bin, dividing into two teams, getting gear on. Minutes 15-30: Getting in the water, teaching any new players the basics Minutes 20-70: Scrimmage/practice. Minutes 70-75: Putting away club gear, putting the lane lines back in place, clearing the pool deck. (optional) afterwards: Go to a local restaurant for food, drinks, and socializing.

Our local amphibians and reptiles are both susceptible to habitat destruction and pollutants and can often be victims of being misunderstood. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an introductory look at our local amphibians and reptiles, what our citizens can do to help protect their habitats, and what related programs are available through Loudoun Wildlife to help monitor populations and increase community awareness of these often overlooked and fragile species. This presentation takes place at Rust Library and is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.

Federal Executive GovCon - "Supporting Government Efficiency with Thought Leadership" When: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:30 – 8:00 Location: Lost Rhino, 21730 Red Rum Dr, Ste 142, Ashburn, VA 20147 (\*\* NEW LOCATION \*\*) Come network with other local GovCon Executives and enjoy a few free beers on us and engage with our sponsors and Industry speakers. Please register here for your spot and please enter full name and company so a badge will be waiting for you. Sponsorships: 1 of 2 spots are available. DM me to claim the 2nd sponsorship to highlight your company to an invitation-only executive audience.

**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!

Birds of prey numbers increase dramatically each winter in the county as our resident birds are joined by many others. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to search for winter raptors. We will drive the back roads of Loudoun until dusk with frequent stops to find and identify the many hawks, hopefully an owl or two, and any other birds that overwinter here. Bring binoculars if you have them. *Limit 16.* ***Registration required.*** Registration for Searching for Birds of Prey Field Trip **https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birds-of-prey-field-trip/** ***Questions:*** *Contact [info@loudounwildlife.org](mailto:info@loudounwildlife.org)*, if **registration is full,** ask to be added to the waitlist by emailing . Please include the event name and date in your email. You’ll be notified if space becomes available. My car can fit 3 additional people & I have spare binoculars. Or we can go separately. ###