Well, despite the mishap with my bags, I was able to pick them up at Washington Reagan Airport, which is close to downtown, and get checked in by 11.00 p.m. I slept wonderfully well, albeit with the help of some melatonin, but awoke feeling groggy and grouchy - probably cause and effect.

After breakfasting on protein bars, and meeting up with an interesting email pal called Randy, in Dupont Circle, for coffee, I headed to the Washington Navy Yard. On my last trip, I'd wanted to see the museum there, but had run out of time. I really only have one free day on this trip, and so today was the day for the museum!

It was a very hot day, similar to all the days I experienced here in July, and the Destroyer "USS Barry" shimmered in the heat.

A PT boat (?)

Inside the museum, which turned out to be very large, I was amazed. While the outside collection seemed neglected, the displays inside the museum were the best curated of any naval museum I've seen. The curators were obviously excited about their work, and had been meticulous and inventive in their choices. There were tons of great photographs, some of them World War II vintage color, and some of the best ship models I've seen, including enormous WWII battleship models, and a great collection of unusual models of early 20th century and late 19th century battleships. There was even a tribute to the British Royal Navy, which, absurdly, brought tears to my eyes.

One of the great WWII battleship models

Saluting Lord Nelson :)

One of the many photos of navy cuties. The guy I've ringed is in no way indicative of why I'm so interested in the navy :)

After the museum, I was quite fading away. I recouperated with one of the best chicken-caesar salads I've ever had at Kramerbooks, in Dupont Circle, and then retired to Starbucks, also in Dupont Circle. I love this Starbucks - a great location, and an interesting, eclectic crowd. I sat there, and relaxed, letting my mind run at idle for an hour, not even bothered too much by the two young women you can see to my right, who were talking loudly about Jesus to each other. Judging by what they were saying, Jesus must be their next-door-neighbor "I asked Jesus this, and Jesus told me that, and Jesus was showing me this..."

Starbucks time in Dupont Circle

This morning, Larry had described to me the strange memorial to Boy Scouts and I went to check it out for myself. He was right - it is strange. A little boy scout, and a naked man and semi-naked woman. What were they thinking?

In the late afternoon heat, I lay down on the grass for a while, with the Washington Monument as the backdrop. I think I may have even dropped off for a minute or two.

Back to the hotel, some more coffee, and a couple of protein bars, while I downloaded some software in the hope that I'll be able to use my personal laptop at work tomorrow to get my email (I didn't bring my work laptop this time - two laptops is one laptop too many!)

Once my laptop was setup, I got changed, and went down to the gym to work out. They actually have a decent set of equipment at this hotel, so I got a good workout.

Working out in the hotel gym

After working out, I went for a run. I managed to find the path down to the Rock Creek Parkway, where everyone seems to run and bike. It would have been very pretty if it hadn't been for all the cars. But luck was on my side. I passed the Ohio and Chesapeake Canal Towpath, and diverted onto it. I'd never even heard of it, but it was a beautiful path along an old canal. The path takes you through elegant Georgetown, and up past old red-brick industrial factories, and Georgetown University. With the sunset and all, it was quite a beautiful run.

Georgetown, by the way, for those who don't know, contains the ultimate straight party street. And Lord, the men are hot, even if they are all straight!