The Longest, Fastest Day of the Year

After yet another phantasmagoric Friday/Saturday night combo, the CSB|SJU group rose to what was assumed to be another tranquil yet anxious Sunday. A small contingent made plans to hit up a Nationals' game, leaving a crew of a few at the apartment pondering our next move.

Well, pondering is a tiresome business, and it often leads one's mind to stray. First, there was talk of a national park home to wild ponies. That sounded intriguing, and more will undoubtedly unfold around this mysterious pony land in the future--stay tuned.

After dreaming of ponies frolicking along the Atlantic Coast, our minds turned abruptly to food, as is common for all walks of life. A quick consensus was made: farmer's market ho!

Chase, Amy, Jen and I (Pony Clan) emerged from our bat cave of a subterranean parking lot in a black Batmobile-esque Prius and headed north towards Dupont Circle. It was only after we arrived there that we learned, to our dismay, that the farmer's market wrapped up at 1:00. It was 2:32. 

Fortunately, this dismay was dismantled by a delightful DC delicacy: PETS! Dupont Circle is the site of an annual dog show. We decided that immersing ourselves in the aura of hundreds of furry little friends would not be a bad way to spend the afternoon. Before the show began, though, we cashed in at nearby book and coffee shops for an intellectual fill and quenching of thirst. Shortly after we returned to the circle, we were asked to leave by the dogs.

The police dogs, that is. Apparently, there was a suspicious item on the premises, and the bomb squad was brought in. The show was cancelled, but the Pony Clan still relished its time with our canine homies. 

And our day wasn't done. From Dupont, we headed East to dine at the world famous Ben's Chili Bowl. What a great spot--thanks to everyone who recommended we go there. Delicious. We will return.

After gorging in chili-dog splendor, we asked locals about events in the area, and were told to head to Malcolm X park, where we stumbled upon a festival. For the rest of the evening, we enjoyed a drum circle and dancers, tightrope walkers, live rock and R&B music, free acupuncture, coconuts, acrobatic yoga, and a beautiful summer afternoon.

I was about 15 minutes deep into my natural high from acupuncture when someone told me that today was the summer solstice. And later that night (after a windows-down cruise through DC), as the Pony Clan reflected in the twilight at the beautiful Air Force Memorial, I don't think any of us could have imagined a better way to spend the longest day of the year. 

Nor could we believe it went so fast.