Snowless winter in rural MarylandA view of rural Maryland from attop Sugarloaf Mountain on New Year's Day, 2020.

So I didn't manage to shoot the Capitol Christmas Tree this year. Things got a little hectic just before the holidays, but it's just as well, since the Reflecting Pool is under construction, along with part of the south wing of the Capitol. We also haven't had any snow yet, so I don't think I would have taken a particularly compelling photo even if I had tried. However, I did manage to find something else shortly after Christmas. On New Year's Day, I took my family hiking on Sugarloaf Mountain in Maryland. I'd never been to Sugarloaf before. Other than suffering from a bit of chilly weather, we enjoyed ourselves quite a bit. I especially enjoyed the beautiful views of rural Maryland, including this one shown above. I will certainly visit Sugarloaf again.