Come join us for our last BBQ of the summer! It should be a great time with old and new friends! We also have tons of people celebrating their birthdays in the next couple of weeks, so this will be a good way to have a cake for them all!

Now the regurgitated info from the last BBQ:

If you have been joining us for the runs, this will be a great way to socialize with the people you see running by, if you are new to the group, it's a great way to meet everyone! Either way, it will be a relaxing BBQ on a (hopefully sunny!) Sunday afternoon.

If it rains on us, we'll reschedule it for the following weekend (maybe after the Army Ten Miler?), pending on everyone's plans.

The BBQ will be potluck style -- everyone brings something. Jeff is bringing his grill, so anything you want to grill is fine! (Oh, by the way, Jeff, bring your grill.)

PLEASE post on your RSVP what you are planning on bringing and PLEASE check everyone's RSVP to make sure we don't already have enough.

Here is what we'll need (add more to the comments below in case I'm forgetting anything):

1. Beer
2. Hot Dogs & Burgers (or sausage, brats, or whatever meat you want to share)
3. Hot Dog/Burger Buns
4. Soda & Water (for those of you into that kind of thing)
5. Chips & Salsa (or other snacks)
6. Cookies
7. Desserts
8. Veggies for the grill (corn on the cob, zucchini, asparagus, etc)
9. Salad
10. Watermelon
11. Paper Plates
12. Plasticware (knives, spoons, forks)
13. Plastic Cups
14. Trash bags
15. Condiments (mustard, ketchup...)
16. Cheese for burgers
17. Sliced Tomatoes, Onions and Lettuce for burgers
18. Potato Salad
19. Paper Towel & Napkins

There are a few picnic tables, but if you have extra chairs, please bring them! If you have a cooler, it'll be good to bring it as well (specially if you're bringing beer).

You are welcome to bring guests (sure, even if they're one of those people that claim to only run when being chased), just make sure they also bring something to share. The park also allow dogs, they just have to be on a leash.

Regarding the alcohol -- my friend got ticketed a while back for having beer there. The best way to go about it, is to pour the beer into a plastic cup, and keep the bottle/can out of sight. The park people don't really bother you (unless you're acting retarded -- please don't), but if they see the bottle they have to step up. If you're not obvious about it (as in respecting the park rules), it isn't an issue.

Driving Directions (the section nobody reads)
If you are coming from the Virginia side on 395N, stay in the right lanes as you head over the bridge into DC. You will notice an Exit for Park Police immediately after crossing the bridge. Exit and continue south until the road ends. Turn Left and continue until the road ends and turn Right. The road will turn into a one way road heading south.

If you are metroing there, the closest metro stop is the Smithsonian Metro Station. I'm volunteering Margaret for a metro pick up in Crystal City, in case you prefer to meet her there (just shoot her an email to arrange the time). If anyone else wants to do a metro pick up, post it below on the comments as well (and thanks!).

If you want to bike (or run) there, the park is right off the Mt. Vernon Trail (where we usually run). I'm considering biking there myself! It's about 4 miles or so from Crystal City. Take the trail over to the 14th street bridge (going north, it is the first set of bridges we pass under after passing the airport -- you'll see the trail to the bridge on the left, right after going under the bridge). When you get off the bridge, make a left on the road when the trail ends, and another left at the stop sign (I think you can also follow it on the sidewalk). You are already at East Potomac Park, just keep going for another half mile (maybe a mile?) until you reach Hains Point. You can ride your bike right up to the table.

This is a map of our probable location -- props to my friend Brannon who mapped this a couple of years back for our corona and crab feast (I know, that does sound better than BBQ). (Don't get excited about the mention of "The Awakening" on the map -- unfortunately the statue has been moved to the National Harbor...)

Hope to see you guys there! I'll send out my number to everyone who RSVP's by Saturday, in case you get lost or can't find us.