Battered Bodies

Today I could hardly get out of bed I was just so tired.

This weekend chewed us up and spit us out, in a good way--if that idiom can be used in a good way...

Thursday night I went for 4-mile run, up and around Georgetown again. Then a few of us opted to walk to the National Mall to see the 4th of July concert dress rehearsal, but when we got to the Capitol Building we were turned away because of "inclement weather." There was no inclement weather. The weather was fine. They were lying to us. I say it was a government conspiracy.

So we kept walking, all the way to China Town for froyo, and then back to the metro. Probably 6 miles of walking altogether. But to be honest one of my favorite things to do around here is just walk aimlessly through the city with people that I like, so it was a night well spent.

Us and the Tea Party man on the parade route (in front of the archives).

Friday morning we woke up rearing and ready for our big Washington DC Independence Day celebratory plans. So we got all decked out in red, white, and blue, took the bus to China Town and then walked to the National Archives to see the parade. Not the greatest parade I've ever seen, strangely enough. I expected more out of the nation's capital on the nation's birthday. But whatevs.

What's more American than fireworks next to the Washington Monument?

We ate all-American burgers at Fudruckers, walked around, and then took the metro up to Friendship Heights for the ward BBQ. Then we metroed back down and walked the 2 miles to the Jefferson Memorial and staked out space to watch the fireworks.

I'm telling you, there's no better way to watch fireworks than sitting on the ledge of the Tidal Basin, watching the sun set while chatting with friends and eating peanut butter M&Ms.

 After the firework show we walked the 2 miles back home (to avoid the crazy metro crowds).

Are you keeping count? That's 14 miles of running/walking in 24 hours. It gets better.

For some reason we were still spry and full of energy on Saturday morning, so we played soccer for a couple hours at the park. I got knocked down and incurred a nice bruise and some cuts, but still had a great time. I love that I've kind of been able to fulfill my bucket list item of playing on an intramural soccer team. I don't know why I ever gave up on that sport.

Anyway, after soccer I changed and went to the pool with Margarette and Jake. We spent a few hours swimming and soaking up the sun.  Somehow I got sunburned. Apparently I am not invincible.

After the pool Margarette, Jake, Jordan, Trent, Robbie, Rebecca and I rode the metro to Alexandria and spent the evening in Old Town. The Alexandria waterfront is beautiful--reminds me of the wharf in San Francisco. We explored the main street, had some R&R time by the fountain, ate ice cream for dinner and pizza for dessert. Alexandria is a charming little place.

Old Town Alexandria. Let's pretend this picture isn't blurry.

Oh, and then we walked a mile to the metro and rode home.

It was a good, solid, American weekend. And today we had church and then I went to see a girl's apartment up north. Took the metro back and then walked a mile home.

Had taco salad, changed into jeans, and went for a little jaunt up to Book Hill Park, which turned into a 4-mile trek around the Georgetown area.

So now I'm sitting here feeling like a brick. Everything hurts. Total weekend mile count: 20. At least. But it was such a fun-filled weekend! Our time here as Barlow interns is limited, so we're really trying to pack our days now. By the end of the summer I'll either have really impressive muscular legs or I'll have no legs at all.