Her own town exists on tourism (158Cong.Rec.H5873)

The good things about friends coming to visit is that you have a good excuse to play tourist. The bad thing about playing tourist is that you have to be with other tourists. One of TJ's friends and his wife -- well, really, they're my friends, too -- came to town during the long Columbus Day weekend for a beer-making session. The problem is, so did a lot of other people because it was the weekend of the Army 10-Miler, in which more than 25,000 people run around major tourist attractions, such as the Pentagon, Lincoln Memorial, and Kennedy Center. (The field was much smaller when TJ ran the event's shadow run in Pakistan last year; I was a marshal for the course, and I'd guess no more than 40 people raced. The tourist attractions along the course were also substantially less note-worthy.)

In part to avoid the onslaught of tourists, we hit up some of the less-popular sights. The day before the race, we managed to find some solace in the regional garden outside the United States Botanic Garden, which is across from the Capitol, whose rotunda is currently undergoing repairs (left). Inside the conservatory of the garden, many tourists had sought refuge from the chilly drizzle outside, but the beauty and scent of the orchid room made it easy to ignore the crowds (right). 

Across the road from the gardens is the newest monument along the mall: the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. It must not be well-known yet, as very few people were taking advantage of the heat wafting off its eternal flame (left). The crowds were much more condensed at the Library of Congress (right). Perhaps a need to control all the people accounted for how grouchy the reading-room security guard was.

We perused the "Exploring the Early Americas" exhibit until our blood sugar ran low, at which point we strolled down to the surprisingly dead Capitol Lounge for snacks. This was not a new haunt for me, but I did get to experience my first DC build-your-own Bloody Mary bar. Refueled and fleeing impending college-football madness, we walked to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, which was about as peaceful as, well, a college football game. Our claustrophobia allowed us to see only the "What Does It Mean to be Human?" section before we wanted to escape from our fellow humans. Despite what the exhibit asserts, being human, at least at the museum, apparently means staring obliviously at screens instead of looking at educational displays.

After a fast-paced day downtown, we were ready to return to simpler times. On the day of the race, we relaxed with a slower pace at Claude Moore Colonial Farm (left). Tucked away in a quiet knoll off the George Washington Parkway, the farm is staffed by a bevy of period re-enactors willing to explain the daily life of the working class back in 1771 (right). On the day we visited, they told us how they were preparing for cold weather by stringing beans to dry and waterproofing the house with pitch.

We also encountered some animal re-enactors, including some very tame turkeys who were not scared of us at all, even though Thanksgiving is fast approaching (left). One of the farm's Ossabaw Island hogs ran right up to greet us, but after he realized we didn't have any food, he turned his attention to something more suited to his interests: the feed bin (right).

In need of our own feed, we dined at Pork Barrel BBQ, a newer addition to Del Ray, the old stomping grounds of TJ and me. All of our taste buds must have been subconsciously touched by that friendly pig, as we all downed some version of pork (left). Our intention was to head down to Mount Vernon, but we got sidetracked by a detour to Port City Brewing (right). After a flight of six tasters -- Downright Pilsner, Northwest American pale ale, Ways & Means rye session IPA, Maniacal double IPA, Porter, and Colossal Two smoked imperial porter -- there didn't seem to be enough time to dedicate to really touring Washington's home.

Instead, we settled for seeing Arlington House, built by Washington's "adopted" son George Washington Parke Custis (as in Martha Custis) and later home to Gen. Robert E. Lee. The estate, now a museum, is located within Arlington National Cemetery atop a hill above the grave of another Robert, the Kennedy one.

Just a weekend later, without friends to show around, we decided to continue touring our area. In a bit of deja vu, we picked up BBQ from Bad to the Bone Smokehouse to eat while we tried the offerings at Old Bust Head Brewing Co. (left). But this time, we were more tolerant of crowds as we lined up to try the Wildcat English IPA, Virginia Hop Harvest smoked IPA, Chinquapin chestnut porter, Chukker Czech pilsner, and Old Jail pumpkin ale (right).

The brewery is located within the property of Vint Hill Farms Station, a former country estate that was converted and used as an Army intelligence and electronic warfare facility until 1997. One of the buildings at the facility is home to the Fauquier Community Theatre, which provided the perfect setting for "Far from Home: A WWII Canteen Show." The variety-show musical was a collection of performances by re-enactors from a later period; we went to see my cousin show off her singing chops as Doris Day.

We got in on the last weekend of performances, so unfortunately, my father, who is coming to visit soon, did not get to see the show. And another friend of ours is coming to town later in the month, so fortunately, we will get plenty of opportunities to "play" tourist in the coming weeks.

Along the Maryland and Delaware coastal embayments (Coastal Zone Information Center 1996)

Typically, TJ and I don't run with the crowd, but the beach had been luring us for weeks, and we finally submitted to its call on the long Labor Day weekend -- like pretty much everyone else east of the Mississippi. Luckily, we got an early start on the highway toward the Eastern Shore, so we didn't get held up by too much traffic. Nevertheless, it was almost dark by the time we pulled into the lot of our motel, Seaside Inn, in Fenwick Island, a tiny town on the Delaware-Maryland border at the north end of Ocean City's sprawl.

It was a little late for the full-on, sit-down meal, so we headed to the counter at Ocean Side Pizzeria to order some indulgent vacation food: a cheesesteak for TJ, a pizza sub for me, and onion rings to share (top left). Then we headed three doors down, to Matteo's Salsa Loco, for a nightcap of $2 Natty Lights. The next morning, all bright signs -- the sun, the sand, the chairs -- pointed to the beach (top right). Dogs weren't allowed on the beach a block from our hotel, so we took Sage to Fenwick Island State Park for a stroll among a flurry of fishermen (bottom left). When TJ took one last dip in the local beach before we left town, we realized that many humans were not obedient to the no-dog rule. There were plenty of furry creatures frolicking on the city-beach sand; in the water, TJ and dozens of dolphins did the same (bottom right).

The greatness of a beach vacation is that you can eat breakfast as late as you want. We didn't get around to it until after noon on our first full day. We cruised up the coast to Bethany Beach, where we fought for a parking space so we could head to the family-friendly Frog House Restaurant. TJ fed his need for seafood with a shrimp-salad sandwich, and I acted as if it weren't too late for brunch, with eggs Benedict florentine (left). We walked the planks of the boardwalk before heading farther north to Rehoboth Beach. When we couldn't find a parking spot near Dogfish Head Brewing & Eats, we abandoned ship and headed back south. On our way back, we stumbled upon Mickey's Family Crab Shack, a great all-you-can-eat "seafood dive," where you can play games such as Shut the Box at the bar (I won only once against TJ). We were too full for a platter of crabs, so we opted for a snack of oysters Chesapeake, a version of oysters Rockefeller topped with crab and bacon, and some local beers: Inlet IPA from 16 Mile Brewery and Lot No. 3 IPA from Evolution Craft Brewing Company (right).

On a beach vacation, you can also eat dinner as early as you want, especially when happy-hour and early-bird specials abound. We spent some more time relaxing at the beach before we set off on a happy-hour hunt. Our target location was farther away than expected -- in other words, a longer walk than I wanted to make -- so serendipitously we ended up at Papa Grande's Coastal Taqueria. The tacos and nachos were discounted but authentic, a credit to chef Matt Haley, who had recently died in a motorcycle accident during a humanitarian trip to India. The fish tacos included the subtle touch of sliced radish (left), and the nachos featured cabbage and whole black beans (right).

It was as if we were dining along a Baja California bay, except the view outside was actually an Atlantic inlet (left). But the best deals were definitely found down the road at High Stakes Bar & Grill, where Natty Bo bottles were on sale for $2 because an Orioles game was on. We stayed long enough, watching the game and the bar-surfing characters, that TJ got hungry again. He ordered another cheesesteak because it is the restaurant's specialty. It must've been at least as good as his first because he actually smiled in a photo for once (right). 

The next day, we left Sage at the hotel, so we could head into Assateague Island National Seashore, well-known for its wild horses, which we saw all over the place (top). Some were chilling out on the roadside bike trail, so close that you could touch them (bottom left). I opted for taking some close-ups instead (bottom right), considering the many posted warnings about horse bites, including one photo of a woman getting some horse teeth to her cheek.

Before we headed to the seashore, we had picked up some steamed shrimp and a crabcake sandwich from Bahama Mamas Seafood Outlet, so we could have a picnic seaside (top). The beach was packed with swimmers and parasurfers, but we managed to find a spot with some space away from any neighbors, except one seagull who wouldn't take a hint (bottom left). Heading out after a day of surf and sun, we stopped by the inlet side of the park, where kayakers were coming ashore beside families hunting for crabs and mussels from the pier (bottom right).

By far, our best meal came as a recommendation from a Fenwick Island State Park patron who ran up to show us a photo of her dog, who she thought looked like Sage (the resemblance didn't go much further than the fact that both of them have fur, but oh well). She swore by Captain Mac's Fish House (top left), so we continued our seafood fest there with crab soup, a shrimp-salad sandwich, and their specialty: "bangin' shrimp" (top right). But the best part was something our beach adviser didn't even mention: a bucket of craft brews swilled while watching the sun set over the bay (bottom).

 

We could hardly bear to leave the beach, so we took the long road home, starting with a stop in Berlin. The town, named America's Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel in 2014, is home to the Atlantic Hotel, which was built in 1895 and is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a small girl (top left). It is also home to Burley Oak Brewing Company, which had a welcoming interior (top right). We had Sage in tow, though, so we toughed it out on the sunny patio (bottom left). Sage wisely found some shade while TJ and I sampled a Just the Tip kolsch and Golden Sex Panther saison (bottom right).

We crossed all the way to the west side of the Eastern Shore to visit St. Michaels (top left), where we had a picnic in Muskrat Park (top right). Despite the heat, we took a stroll through the shadows of the many historic buildings in the town, including the Dr. Dodson House, which was built in 1799 and visited in 1877 by Frederick Douglass, who was born in the area (bottom left). Unfortunately, no one was home at Lyon Distilling Company, so we didn't get to take home a bottle of local whiskey (bottom right) -- but at least we have a good reason to go back to the beach soon.

 

Runners who embody the marathon spirit (H.Res.1704)

Truth be told, I signed up for my first marathon as motivation to lose weight. Even before marathon training, I was eating as if I were marathon training. I had put on what I call the "home leave 15," similar to the "freshman 15," except the pounds are much harder to lose. I've been trying to remind myself that it is not possible nor wise to try to eat a two years' supply of all the food you know will miss at your next two-year post. But still, there are just some opportunities I can't pass up.

After all, Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week happens only twice a year. Fewer and fewer restaurants are participating, so it can be difficult to find one worth a reservation. But we were satisfied with our $35.14 dinners at Woodward Table. For his main dish, TJ splurged on the duck confit, which cost a few dollars extra, and we added a side of macaroni and cheese (top). Before my entree of pork belly, I had an heirloom beet salad, and TJ went with traditional fried chicken livers (bottom left). We topped off our meal with a bourbon bread pudding and blueberry pie (bottom right).

 

Another DC food tradition is Truckeroo, a food-truck fiesta held once a month during summer at Half Street Fairgrounds near Nationals Stadium (top). So far, I have limited myself to one Truckeroo, but unfortunately, that one time I did not limit myself to one snack. For starters, TJ and I shared some larb gai (Laotian minced meat salad) from Sang On Wheels (bottom left). There were really long lines, so it got dark while we digested and waited for tostones and a tripletas sandwich (named for its three types of meat: pork, ham, and skirt steak) from Borinquen Lunch Box (bottom right).

 

Part of the problem has been the mild weather this year. It just makes you want to go to outside events, where there usually is food on offer. On the way to Truckeroo, for example, we swung by the Friday night concert at downtown Yards Park (left). For once, I exhibited some willpower and walked past a pie food truck. I had less success a few days later, when TJ and I took a stroll through the Arlington County Fair. At a fair, it is mandatory to have fair food, so we split cheese fries and a BBQ brisket sandwich (right). I did manage, however, to pass on riding the Zipper.

 

At another outdoor festival, I did fall prey to a food truck: burgers from BurGorilla, an aptly named operation to be involved with Brew at the Zoo (left). We didn't see any actual gorillas, but TJ and I did check out some turtles at the National Zoo's Amazonia exhibit before we sampled some beers (right). The standout of the evening -- besides the moment when the Trolley Pub, there to promote its tours, undermined itself by crashing into a food truck -- was the stand with offerings from Adroit Theory Brewing Company.

 

At Brew at the Zoo, I also sampled Samsquanch, an American IPA named after a recurring joke from the Canadian comedy show The Trailer Boys on offer from 3 Stars Brewing Company. Some time later, TJ and I decided to visit the actual brewery, near Takoma Park, DC. After sipping free tastes of all five beers on tap, we settled in with pints of Peppercorn Saison and The Phoenix rye saison, along with a hummus sandwich (they ran out of falafel) from the food truck parked outside. 

After our stop at 3 Stars, we headed to the opening weekend of Denizens Brewing Company, in Silver Spring, Maryland. They were still getting the full brewery up and running, but nonetheless, we enjoyed their two beers on tap -- Southside Rye IPA and Lowest Lord ESB -- on a lovely patio, which happened to be fronted by a crepe food truck that I just had to try, of course. 

Three breweries in one day is one too many, so we saved Bluejacket Brewery for another day (left). The Navy Yard brewery/restaurant has a draft list with nearly two-dozen beers, which rotate often. Plus, lots of the offerings are high ABV, so you're encouraged to get tastes instead of pints (right). I particularly liked the beers that usually end up being too desperate and overdone at other breweries, such as their chili-infused stout, Mexican Radio, and their smoked brown ale, Tinderbox. 

 

To round out our DMV beer tour, during DC Beer Week we hit the Virginia Brewers' Bash at Mad Fox Brewing Company, where I had my first pumpkin beer of the season: Pumpkin Hunter from Devil's Backbone Brewing Company. At each place, I finally ordered on track with what should be a runner's diet: a protein-packed charcuterie plate and a well-balanced flatbread pizza. As long as I don't run near any food trucks, I just might be able to stick to better eating habits.