I'm definitely going there next time in that area!

None of the waysides will be open in April, but Skyline Drive that goes from Front Royal to Waynesboro is always open (aside from weather delays). I was hiking there last May and the early spring flowers were beautiful, but it was chilly and even a few snow flurries. That said, a week earlier, it was warm and sunny! As a PP said, the long views are always spectacular - it is a beautiful area to look out onto from the various overlooks and trails in the park.

I cannot even do 1 standard pull up, but I recently joined a new gym and the coach suggested thinking of it as pulling my elbows down to my sides rather than my chip up and over the bar - that change of focus has made a huge difference! I mean, I still cannot do one yet, but I can actually feel my lats engaging! As for standard vs knee push-ups, I think it has a lot to do with core strength, to keep yourself in a plank while going to the floor. You can improve this by working on negatives - slowly lowering yourself to the floor while holding a plank. Then get yourself back up and repeat. Elevated push ups are a great way to get to a standard push-up as well. Have your hands elevated against a wall, or table, chair, etc. The more vertical you are, the easier it is, and then as you gain strength, move closer to horizontal.

Thank you.... I'm going to add Spanish and German!

I wanted to thank you all again for the reviews of DuoLingo. I have been working on it for nearly a week and loving it! I was offered a 2 week trial of DuoMax (or something like that) so I have unlimited hearts now. But my favourite part is the AI that allows me have an actual conversation and it adjusts to my responses. I like the fact that it gives me time to formulate a response and dig around in the recesses of my brain for long-forgotten words, articulate a response, and once I have recorded it, the AI fixes my answer so it is 'more' correct. It is the only use for AI that I currently have and I really appreciate it! A few of you have mentioned that you are learning more than one language. Did you have to set up different accounts, or is there a setting to chose a 2nd language to work on as well?

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all of your insightful answers. I'm going to give DuoLingo French a try since I have more use for that, and a bit more opportunity to speak it.

A question for DuoLingo users.... How well does it work? How fluent are you in your chosen language of study? And after how much study? I realize that everyone will be different, so just your personal experiences and any caveats. I do know that having someone to converse with would be ideal, but I won't have that option on a regular basis. I have somewhat passable French (I was able to ask for directions to the train station and understood the answer well enough to get there!), but much less Spanish. I was in Argentina before Christmas and was embarrassed at my limited Spanish. I tried to order a Iced Green Tea at Starbucks and ended up with a latte, even after reading it off the menu 🤪 Are there other language learning apps that you would recommend? Thanks!

I'm heading to Argentina next week and have been told the same thing!

If you know what section of the Appalachian Trail she'll be close to for hiking, you can get her maps of that area. There are great maps of PA, MD, and VA from the PTAC https://www.patc.net/PATC/Our_Store/PATC_Maps.aspx The National Geographic ones aren't the best, imo. Hiking socks are always great - I prefer SmartWool to DarnTough, but it's a personal choice Battery charger (Anker is a great one) Headlamp Small knife Trekking poles You can check if there are any orienteering classes/events in her area, either through REI or a local chapter.

I use oat milk when I make a big batch of steel cut oats in my InstaPot

A team that gets together for a Thanksgiving type meal, but it doesn't have to a traditional Thanksgiving menu. That would be easy. True - as most college kids do, they complain about the food in residence! That sounds yummy! I think they often are, but I would not enjoy having 2 Thanksgiving meals 3 days apart. We used to do Walking Tacos for my daughter's Girl Scout troop.

I am hosting a group of young women for a TeamsGiving meal on Nov 20 and they'll all be heading home for Thanksgiving a few days after. What can I serve them? Baked potato bar? Taco bar? Lasagne/Pasta? In the past I have picked up a bunch of roasted chickens and they have brought sides and desserts, but I want to do something different this year. They still want to contribute something, but I'm not sure what to ask for if we do a potatoes or tacos. They are all college students, most are not able to cook due to living in residence, so it has to be something they can pick up at the store. Thanks!

I joined an online nutrition coaching company as a client in 2021 and have really gotten a lot from their service. However, last December (2022) they rolled out a new App for their program but still have not finished/released the Android version. While I can use their service through their website it is clunky and very inconvenient. When I asked back in February for an update, they assured me it would be finished by Q2 - nothing. Then it was early May, then end of summer, and now (since August 31) it is supposedly in BETA testing with their staff. I took a break from the program for the summer because I was traveling but wanted to back into it this fall. I gave it a half-hearted attempt in September but gave up on it after a couple of days. I've been emailing back and forth with their Customer Support person, asking for some sort of compensation, but have been continually stone-walled with more promises and lots of 'I assure you that we care about all of our clients/we're working on it' type of replies. They are trying to tell me that the App is an 'added convenience', yet the first thing they tell you is to download the app. I paid for a lifetime membership back in 2021 because I really like the program and the coaching I was getting, so I cannot cancel my membership. I want some sort of compensation, but I have no idea how to go about convincing them to offer me something (they do offer a meal service). Am I being unreasonable? I normally don't get upset over stuff like this, but I'm just so annoyed with them!

I don't think so - they don't even pronounce it properly 🤣

Professional soccer players are dramatic; they just need a squirt from the magic water bottle that the trainer carries and they're back in the game in no time 🤣