From Tanning to Shoveling Dung: What Congress Is Doing On Its Summer Vacation

By Erin Dooley August 14, 2014

Forbes may have rated DC the coolest city in the nation - but lawmakers off for the August recess often find more to love in their home districts than in Washington.

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What Congress Members Did on Vacation

Sure, high-profile meetings with international leaders are fun to brag about at a dinner party. But when two of your constituents are Buzz and Woody - now that's pretty cool.

Of course, governing's not all glitz and glamour. Sometimes you have to get your hands dirty - literally. Here's what Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., did during his day-long stint as on Freund's Farm:

… At least he has a sense of humor. While Murphy shoveled shi - er - explored the agribusiness industry, Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., ventured into high-tech:

And Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., delved into arachnology. Back away from the spider, Madam Congresswoman. Meanwhile, animal-loving Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, threw a birthday bash for his puppies:

(He has three real kids, by the way.)

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., warmed up for an interview on Iraq in his son's America-themed fort…

… Rep. Illeanna Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla., snuggled her brand-new grandbaby …

… And Rep. Hartzler celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary with a #TBT-worthy shot of her and her groom.

But if you thought members of congress were all stodgy suits, think again. Some wear costumes…

…Some don uniforms…

… And some ditch the shirt entirely. (He's only a little proud of those abs.)

Other congressional fitness buffs kept their twelve packs under wraps. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who lost his mother to multiple myeloma, biked to raise money for cancer research.

Al Franken, D-Minn., angled to play catch on the Vikings practice field.

And Cory Booker scaled a rock wall (you just scored major uncle points there, Sen. Booker).

Some lawmakers were not so healthy-minded. In fact, self-proclaimed chocaholic and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, served as a guest judge on TLC's new pastry show, Next Great Breaker.

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Post by Nancy Pelosi.

But one of the biggest recess crazes: congressional selfies. #potatoeheadselfie #bovineudderselfie #corybookerselfie #whyareyouwearingashirt,aaron? #selfieobsessed.

And lest you think the August recess is all fun and games - Former opthomologist Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., for example, "restored vision" to three pro-bono patients in his home district.

ABC News' Scott Wilson contributed to this report.