Alexandria, VA (USA)

Got up at 0500L this morning - attempting to beat all the traffic during my drive to Camp Springs. I was able to check out of Navy Lodge Willow Grove but then encountered my first challenge of the day: I couldn't get out to the main road because the gate was closed! Eventually, I found someone who helped me find the way. On the PA Turnpike by 0600L - but then I took the wrong exit off the toll road. Fortunately, there was another one a few miles up, meaning I only had to double back a little bit. Finally on I-95 - found that toll prices have really gone up! No problems at all until about 20 miles out of Baltimore (big accident on the other side of the interstate). With construction, it took a long time to drive the roughly 45 miles down to the DC Beltway. Arrived at Camp Springs around 0900L - met up with Dave to begin the inspection. Spent several hours straight - made good progress - before lunch. Ate at Papi's Chicken (gyros - mmm). Spent the rest of the afternoon at work - almost finished by 1530L. Visited a friend down the ramp - used up a lot of time there. Finally went looking for a room at the Andrews Gateway Inn (Air Force Inns) at 1700L. Fortunately, I found one - it was very fancy - but had to locate the room without a good map. After finally getting settled inside, I called my friend, Bob, to see if he could get together.  Lucky break - it worked out and I drove over to Alexandria to meet him. We watched the Pittsburgh versus Montreal hockey game at Bungalow Billiards (a sports bar near his house). Visited until around 2300L. After that, I drove back to my hotel and got to sleep after midnight.