Travel Writing

**NOTE: AN RSVP ON MEETUP DOES NOT SERVE AS A BOOKED SPOT. YOU MUST BOOK VIA LINK BELOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.** **You must book your spot through our website: [[Booking Link Here](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/unmasked-2026)]** Some nights you go out. Other nights you show up. This is the second kind. Lesbifriends Travel, intimacy coordinator *Zuri Pryor-Graves*, and pleasure practitioner *Dame Sadie* are coming together for Unmasked, a curated DC Black Pride experience built around real connection. You choose your experience at registration: Masked Speed Dating or Speed Kinking. Two hours of guided, intentional programming, then both groups come together for a social and dance party to close out the night. Masquerade theme, Black Pride energy, and a room full of people who actually came with intention. **Event Details** 📅 Date: Friday, May 22, 2026 ⏰ Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM 📍 Location: Mixxed DC, 2427 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 💸 **Tickets are $40 and increase to $55 at the door** **What to Expect** * Choose one experience at registration: Speed Dating or Speed Kinking * Two hours of guided, immersive programming in your selected experience * A full social and dance party to close out the night * Masquerade theme, come dressed up and wear a mask * 100 guests max to keep every interaction meaningful **The earlier you grab yours, the less you pay.** Every ticket covers the exact same experience. **Who This Event Is For:** Black queer women and non-binary people who are open to dating, learning new things about kink, and celebrate DC Black Pride together. ✨ Lesbifriends Travel invites you to come curious, come masked, and leave with something you did not expect. Claim your spot here: **[Unmasked](https://www.lesbifriendstravel.com/events/unmasked-2026)**! **Note:** By attending this event, you agree to being photographed. However, if communicated, we will try our best not to capture you in photos and post you publicly. That request must be communicated ahead of time/at the beginning of the event to photographer and host.

For some reason I can’t stop thinking about this. I really want to do the whole C&O towpath next year. I just impulse bought all the bike spots on the Floridian 40 to Cumberland at 3:57pm on the Friday of memorial day 2026. As that is almost a year away I will post more about it later but this is just my obsession right now so here is the basic information: * splits are roughly 60/60/60 with a little wiggle room depending on which campsites we go with and how much we do Friday night * the cost of this trip is $53 for your train ticket * for this train, you can just hand your bike fully loaded to the guy at the train luggage car and they will give it back to you at the platform in Cumberland, super easy * I’m making this VMO+previous bike experience, we don’t really have bikepacking levels but you should be confident with basic bike maintenance and have the knowledge, tools and materials to fix a flat tire, fix a broken chain, wrenches for your bike’s nuts and bolts, etc. you should also have a bailout plan in case of emergency since nobody will have a car * you will need a bike that can handle gravel * the tickets are changeable and refundable so you can catch the train at a different spot if it would be more convenient (Alexandria, Rockville) Map (please add any fun side quests or food!): https://caltopo.com/m/0U4NSRV/AAB0T1CNG65HMTAK I can take 4!

Please join members of the Fairlington Social Club for a "Sunset Happy Hour @ Columbia Island Marina" on Friday May 22, 2026 from 4:30 PM - 8:00 PM to begin your 3-day Memorial Day holiday weekend. Columbia Island Marina is on an island in the Potomac River near the Pentagon. While it is part of the District of Columbia, it is located on the Virginia side of the river and can only be reached from the southbound lane of the George Washington Memorial Parkway. From Interstate 395 Northbound leaving Shirlington, take Exit 8B "Pentagon/Arlington Cemetery/Rosslyn" and bear left on Virginia State Route 27 East, drive past the Pentagon, cross the bridge over Virginia State Route 110, stay in the right lane to take the George Washington Memorial Parkway southbound exit "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport/Alexandria/Mount Vernon/I-395", then turn right at the sign into the Columbia Island Marina. Free parking is available at the Columbia Island Marina. Join your friends from the Fairlington Social Club for food and drink to a have a little change in attitude, change in latitude. Look for the six foot long Fairlington Social Club banner under the marina pavilion to find the group.

* **Would you like to look deeper into the source of life?** * **Do you want to find your own answers to everyday questions?** * **Singing HU can bring you Love, Happiness, and Stability** **You’re warmly invited to join us at our** **Friday HU Chant at 7:00 pm** **You will be welcome to chant out loud or simply listen, whatever is right for you. The chant lasts about 20 minutes, followed by brief contemplative time and conversation with others of like heart.** **Attend In-Person at:** **The Maryland Eckankar Center** **1738 Elton Rd., Suite 104** **Silver Spring, MD 20903** **(Doors open at 6:30 pm)** **For more information:** **Call or text: (301)439-2120** **MEC@eckankarmaryland.org** **Presented by the DC & Maryland Satsang Societies, Inc. Chartered Affiliates of ECKANKAR.** **Copyright © 2025 ECKANKAR. The terms ECKANKAR, ECK, EK, MAHANTA, SOUL TRAVEL, and VAIRAGI, among others, are trademarks of ECKANKAR, PO Box 2000, Chanhassen, MN 55317-2000 U.S.A.**

Bring your lights for the “Friday Night” Skate! **Join us for the Friday Night Skate!** See the monuments of DC all lit up at night! We will meet at the National World War I Memorial “Pershing Park” at 7pm. We’ll warm up with a nice easy skate to the Capital and skate along the mall and museums to the National Monument. We will then head to the Lincoln Memorial through the World War II Memorial. Those interested in just a 5.5 mile skate can backtrack to Pershing Park. The group will then proceed from the Lincoln to Haynes Point via Ohio Drive with the option to take the 3 mile loop (12 mile total skate) or sit by the water and enjoy the crisp air (8.5 mile total skate.) There are three options to loop back to the Pershing Park WWI Memorial and our path back will depend on the preferences / skill of the group. The skate is mostly flat on good pavement with a small slope coming down from the Washington Monument and a 40 yard small slop from the Lincoln to Ohio Drive. If skaters are more advanced we will cross the 14th St bridge, enjoy a few up and down hills and finish with a downhill through the 12th St. tunnel. Please feel free to jazz it up with lights, I wear a helmet bike light, a fun set of lights and lighted wheels! Wear your lights so you have fun, can see and be seen! In case of bad weather, I will cancel the skate by 6pm on this post. **Of course, all skating is at your own risk.**

Join our monthly writer meetup to share ideas, socialize, kick off your creativity, and write something! To find us, either take the stairs or elevator to the fourth floor, following the signs for the conference center. We'll be in room 401-F. All writer levels are welcome; we're all about building community and confidence. If you have any questions, please email us! (writingheptagon@gmail.com)

This is the sign you've been waiting for. Come write with us Sunday at 7:30 am at Kaldi's Social House in Arlington. Kaldi's opens at 7. Grab a coffee and join the group! We generally have 10 to 14 writers attend each week, and new folks are welcome to drop in anytime. Intros start at 7:30 am. We will write for one hour. After writing, feel free to debrief, share thoughts or get advice. Our meetups are a safe space for writers to work on their craft. No one will read or critique your writing. Kaldi's Social House website: https://www.kaldissocialhouse.net/ \* Resource \* Many thanks to Justin for putting together a shared file of resource discussed at the meetings. Feel free to add to it! [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13LONNjZvsO5hEXM7NsBnWCgy3GgPgjAbQxE0lPxp7hc/edit?usp=sharing)

Join us for an evening meditation hike. This is part of a series of unique walking programs focused on methods to tap into your own quiet space. Learn to unwind from your day and listen to the sounds of nature, silence, and your inner wisdom as we take a peaceful walk through the park. Learn a simple yet powerful way to meditate and commune with nature to invigorate your mind, body, and spirit. Each session consists of: * A Pre-walk "Intro to Meditation" to prepare you for the walk with suggested mediation techniques to use (from 6:30-6:45PM) * Walking in silence along the paths (approximately two miles from 6:45 – 8:15PM, with a brief break) * A Post-walk reflection to journal and time for sharing (from 8:15 – 8:30PM) Cost is $10 This is a rain or shine event. I'll See YOU on the Trail! Marcia Fairweather 301-352-5272 7 Days to live everyday as a Wellness Day (http://www.renewandrecharge.com/7daystowellness/signupforteleconference.html) Visit us online at www.frescoadventure.com (http://www.frescoadventure.com/) Live Life as an adventure! Details for Hiking Adventures Please review the information below and call if you have any additional questions. If you need to make changes in your attendance, please call before 3PM on the program date. Always leave a number for me to contact you so that I may call you back if needed. *** WHAT TO WEAR: * Comfortable, well-broken-in, sturdy walking shoes or ankle-high boots. * Protective clothing should include: * Long comfortable loose fitting pants * A cotton blend shirt provides for better perspiration and comfort * Dress in layers for warmth and comfort *** WHAT TO BRING: * Water canteen or bottle filled with water (at least 1 quart, bring what you feel you can carry or need to drink) * A journal or pad of paper to record your thoughts *** WHERE TO MEET: McDonalds at 4130 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC You may arrive by metro (Red line) on the Tenely exit and walk a few blocks down the street on Wisconsin Avenue. We will end closer to the Van Ness metro stop, so if you drive and park near the meeting location, you will need to walk a few blocks to return. Be onsite by 6:15PM to sign-in. We will begin the program promptly at 6:30PM, so please be on time. IMPORTANT: Your registration and RSVP to his program assumes the following Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility, and Release of Liability Fresco Adventures, a program of Fresco Enterprises, LLC is the sponsor of arrangements for this activity and is not responsible for any damage, loss, injury, or accident due to any act by the participants. Note: There are elements of risk in any activity associated with the outdoors and the use of any related equipment. Although precautions are taken to provide proper organization and suitable equipment so that you have a safe and enjoyable experience, there can be no guarantee of absolute safety against injury and accident. Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility and Release: I recognize the apparent risks of this activity which I and any minor children for which I am responsible, will engage in and confirm that I am mentally and physically capable of participating in the activity. I participate willingly and voluntarily, and I assume full responsibility for any personal injury. I hereby release Fresco Enterprises, LLC, its principals, agents, or volunteers from all liability and waive any claim for damage arising from any cause whatsoever.

is is an In-Person Writing Event at Three This is an In-Person Writing Event at Kaldi's Social House in Clarendon! Please join us. This is not a critique session or discussion event. If you're interested in attending one of our regular meetings to discuss the art and craft of writing or to review another's work, please join us for a regular meeting on Wednesdays from 7p-9p.

A Communion With Your Inner Self Unwind from your day and listen to the sounds of nature, silence, and your inner wisdom as we take peaceful walks through local parks and central downtown DC locations. Learn a simple yet powerful way to meditate by "walking with yourself" through silence. Let this commune with nature invigorate your mind, body, and spirit. This is a series of four hikes along various trails in Washington, DC. Each session consists of: * A Pre-walk "Intro to Meditation" to prepare you for the walk with suggested mediation techniques to use * Walking in silence along the paths * A Post-walk reflection and time for sharing The evening program is from 6:30-8:30PM at the following locations around the Washington DC area: Saturday, May 23: Glover Archibald Park Sunday, June 7: Circles of Washington, DC featuring local historical sites Saturday, August 8: C&O Canal in Georgetown Saturday, September 12: Soapstone Valley North Trail Cost is $25 for the entire series. Come to participate and learn all about how you can use meditation techniques to enhance your life. This is a rain or shine event. I'll See YOU on the Trail! Marcia Fairweather 301-352-5272 Visit us online at www.frescoadventure.com (http://www.frescoadventure.com/) Details for Hiking Adventures Please review the information below and call if you have any additional questions. If you need to make changes in your attendance, please call before 3PM on the program date. Always leave a number for me to contact you so that I may call you back if needed. *** WHAT TO WEAR: * Comfortable, well-broken-in, sturdy walking shoes or ankle-high boots. * Protective clothing should include: * Long comfortable loose fitting pants * A cotton blend shirt provides for better perspiration and comfort * Dress in layers for warmth and comfort *** WHAT TO BRING: * Water canteen or bottle filled with water (at least 1 quart, bring what you feel you can carry or need to drink) * A journal or pad of paper to record your thoughts *** WHERE TO MEET (check out the map details on each meetup for each date): **Saturday, May 23:** Glover Archibald Park into Georgetown, meet at the McDonald's at 4130 Wisconsin Ave. NW **Sunday, June 7:** Circles of Washington, DC featuring local historical sites. Meet outside of the Smithsonian Metro on the Mall **Saturday, August 8:** C&O Canal in Georgetown, meet at 23rd and K St. at the circle on Pennsylvania Ave. **Saturday, September 12:** Soapstone Valley Trail, meet at Starbucks outside of the Van Ness Metro station on Connecticut Ave. IMPORTANT: Your registration and RSVP to his program assumes the following Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility, and Release of Liability Fresco Adventures, a program of Fresco Enterprises, LLC is the sponsor of arrangements for this activity and is not responsible for any damage, loss, injury, or accident due to any act by the participants. Note: There are elements of risk in any activity associated with the outdoors and the use of any related equipment. Although precautions are taken to provide proper organization and suitable equipment so that you have a safe and enjoyable experience, there can be no guarantee of absolute safety against injury and accident. Acknowledgement of Risks, Responsibility and Release: I recognize the apparent risks of this activity which I and any minor children for which I am responsible, will engage in and confirm that I am mentally and physically capable of participating in the activity. I participate willingly and voluntarily, and I assume full responsibility for any personal injury. I hereby release Fresco Enterprises, LLC, its principals, agents, or volunteers from all liability and waive any claim for damage arising from any cause whatsoever.

Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11 at Streetlight Guild. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. **SCHEDULE:** 6:45ish - Quick introductions 7:00 - Timer starts: write for 1 hour 8:00 - The End **OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING** happens before and after the writing hour. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. **BEING LATE IS OKAY:** just show up and get settled! If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing & I look forward to seeing you at Streetlight Guild! **WHAT SHOULD I BRING?** Whatever you need to be able to write! You're welcome to bring earplugs/headphones if noise will bother you! **OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS:** * **RSVP:** Please RSVP by 6:00pm the evening of the meeting. This helps me know how many to expect, and if we'll need additional space! * **COVID:** While masks are not required, please be mindful of the other writers around you and their comfort levels. * **WIFI/OUTLETS:** Outlets are limited, so please ensure your devices are charged when you come! But Streetlight Guild does have free WiFi! Yay! * **PARKING:** There is free public parking at Streetlight Guild.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

We'll meet at The Capital One Café, 167 Easton Town Center, Space A-103. This is in the main mall where the Microsoft store used to be, on your left if you're standing at the bottom of the AMC Theater escalator. Join us on Saturday for an hour of uninterrupted wordmaking! • What we'll do Join us for an hour of writing! We’ve discovered that it’s strikingly helpful to write with other writers. See if it’s true for you at 10AM on Saturday mornings. Be it a book, blog, script, essay, dissertation, resume, melody, poem or just plain work stuff, you are invited to write it with us. No one will see what you've written or give you unsolicited advice. Instead of just thinking about writing, come and get some real writing done. SCHEDULE: 10:00 - SESSION 1: quick intros. 10:10 - timer starts: write for 1 hour. 11:10 - chat / take off / keep writing. OPTIONAL SOCIALIZING happens at 11A-11:30ish. Writing is very solitary. Connecting (and sometimes even commiserating) with other writers is a cool thing. BEING LATE IS OKAY: just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. (I’ll be the person with the Shut Up & Write! sign.) If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! • What to bring Whatever you need to be able to write! Bring earbuds/earplugs if you want to block noise or the occasional conversation by other patrons. Electrical outlets are limited, so charge your devices before whenever possible. See you at The Café on Saturday!

Greetings writers! Come down and join your fellow wordsmiths for one hour of uninterrupted writing time in the upper level of the Market District Supermarket in Upper Arlington. The main entrance of the shopping center opens onto stairs/elevator leading up to the 2nd floor cafe section where we will have a table displaying a sign with the Shut Up & Write logo. Writing is largely a solitary craft. Practicing with others in a community setting may be the thing you need to fire your own routine. We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings, starting the clock at 6:30, following a brief period of introductions. This is solid writing time and all inclusive. Any project is acceptable, be it fiction, non -fiction, work or homework assignment. All is welcome and will remain private to you. The market boasts a Starbucks, a full service bar and various affordable food options. Parking is plentiful, free Wifi is provided as well as outlets for charging your devices, though they are somewhat limited, so plan accordingly. Show up as early as you like, or stay late. This group tends to socialize some, both before and after the alloted time, but this is not mandatory to you. Feel free to come and go as you please and late arrivals are welcome. The cafe may be noisy on occasion so headphones/ earbuds are reccommended as you see fit. Please try to RSVP if possible so that we may grab enough seats for all—the venue can be busy at times. Feel free to message me privately wth any questions and/ or concerns you may have. Happy writing!

Who else is ready to sit outside? Join us for a casual chat over coffee & tea at Grandview Grind! Come out and meet some new people, enjoy your favorite drink, and make some new friends!