Whether and how you were going to go down to the Mall and watch President Obama take the oath of office in person was all anyone talked about for the last week. After a lot of waffling (I gotta be me), I ended up heading down with a simple plan and low expectations. I figured as long as I go down early enough that there will be time to get home to watch it on television if it doesn't work out, I'll just take it as it comes. I swaddled myself with six layers of clothing, left Woodley Park shortly after 8, wandered down Connecticut Ave., joined the throngs pouring out of the Metro on L, K, and I Streets onto 18th, took a minor detour through the Constitutional Gardens, and wound up finding space a little after 9 am on the eastern slope of the Washington Monument grounds. I carefully picked out a spot with a view of the Capitol building, where the swearing-in would occur (even though I was so far away it was the size of a souvenir paperweight Capitol, there's just something about being within eyeshot of it), and, more importantly, a view of a jumbotron. I stood behind a group that had spread out a blanket around 8 am. Being behind the blanket ensured Sturgill wouldn't get in front of me at the last minute. Being on the sloped ground around the monument ensured I could see all the way to the Capitol -- and being so close to the monument itself added some bonus majesty to the occasion. By the end of the day I'd walked nearly 6 miles and was out in the cold for more than 6 hours. It was well worth it.
It's easier to talk about the logistics than the extraordinary feeling of being among millions of jubilant Americans and people from all over the world as we collectively watched history being made, and felt a weight being lifted from our shoulders. Taking a cue from Brett (though I wish I had his eye for detail as well!), I've put together a photo album of my experience on Tuesday.
It's easier to talk about the logistics than the extraordinary feeling of being among millions of jubilant Americans and people from all over the world as we collectively watched history being made, and felt a weight being lifted from our shoulders. Taking a cue from Brett (though I wish I had his eye for detail as well!), I've put together a photo album of my experience on Tuesday.
This is great! Thanks so much for posting!! Love the chicken hat best of all (though the porta-potty sitters give him/her a run for his/her money)!
Posted by: Jabber | January 22, 2009 at 07:33 AM