And lest ye think that I screwed around by the computer ALL day...

I went down to Washington, DC today. I had some work-related business to tend to, and then because it was so nice out, I went for a run on the National Mall.

I began in front front of the US Capitol. I ran west, down the mall. It was a beautiful day and TONS of people were out.












I ran past the major museums and up by and around the Washington Monument.












Then I ran past the World War Two Memorial and down along the Reflecting Pool to the Lincoln Memorial.











Then I ran back again. Round trip = just under 4 miles. Probably slightly over it if I get credit for having to dodge slow-walking pedestrians and all of the little rug-rats and crumb-snatchers that seem to love to toddle out in front of runners while their parents blissfully pay no attention...

But it was worth it. The number of smoking-hot women out there today was off the charts. Very nice scenery, indeed.

And along the way, I did manage to get some laughs from some folks. A bunch of college-age tourist types were trying to film one of the ubiquitous squirrels along the Reflecting Pool. As I ran past, I yelled out a warning. "Careful--they bite!"
The one actually holding a snack out to the squirrel kind of stepped back a bit and said "Really?"

As I ran past--on my running leg--I shouted back: "Really. One just like that guy got my leg last year!" They cracked up.

I finished the run back by the Capitol pool and spent a few minutes just lying in the grass, taking in the day and giving thanks to God for my being able to enjoy it as I had.

Afterwards, in what was perhaps the highlight of the day, I had lunch with a friend who was once on the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police force. He's gone on to bigger and better things like so many of us do, but he knew that I was looking for a particular pistol to round out my collection and we worked out a swap--one of my excess rifles that I'd been looking to sell in exchange for this:
Yep. A Glock Model 19, with the MPDC stamp. (Metropolitan Police District of Columbia). I've been trying to snag one of these for the past couple of years, and one finally dropped into my hands.

Ahhh, seeing the sights, getting a good workout, and trading guns, all in or near our nations' capitol city. Some days it just doesn't get any better.