Today, this momentous of days, my very good friend Jane and I attended the Inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama.  We woke up late, around 7am and jotted across the street from Jane’s condo to catch the bus into D.C.  It only took us about 25 minutes to get to the National Mall, make our way through the crowds, and find our little spot between the Capital Building and The Washington Monument.

We met some of Jane’s fellow Floridians there on The Mall.  They asked us how long we’d been there and we told them, “Since 8am.”  They were shocked!  They said they’d been on The Mall since 4am!  Yikes!  Maybe Jane and I were extremely lucky to have so little travel and wait time, but mostly I think it was just preparation.  We didn’t have tickets to see the Inauguration.  It’s a free public event!  We just didn’t happen to be sitting in the folding chairs right underneath the podium.

Here are some more pictures from our adventure.

This experience will last me the rest of my life.  Besides the obvious, it was a clear gorgeous day, albeit in the low 20’s, every one’s mood was great.  The crowd was just so calm and happy.  It was surprisingly quiet when the Jumbo Screens and speakers weren’t on and people weren’t being announced.  I think the crowd’s only downfall was boo-ing George Bush.  It was disrespectful.  Granted, he’s not my favorite person, but we need to respect the office he’s held the past 8 years and recognize that his job was never an easy one.

After President Obama finished his strong and pleasing speech Jane and I skipped out.  We weren’t sure how we were going to get home, thought it best to hightail it out of The Mall, and the rest of the crowd was dispersing so we pretty much needed to move with the flow of people anyway.  We waited around on 13th St. for about 20 minutes for our bus back to her place, but none were showing up.  We ended up walking 4 (yes, FOUR) miles (yes, MILES!) down Interstate 395 (which will probably never happen again in the history of the world) and over the Potomac in order to get back to Crystal City.  It was all worth it.  The cold, the endless standing, the miles we walked… all worth it.  I am so very glad that I went to the Inauguration!

I look like I’m crossing Abbey Road in that picture.  Cool.

I also took several video clips of my adventure today.  I kept having to delete some to take the more important clips, but I think I got what I wanted.  I hope you enjoy watching my video as much as I enjoyed creating it!  I had to cut out all my “commentary” so this isn’t quite what I put together, but this is as good as it’s gonna get for ya!

I want to thank Jane for being a kindred spirit.  She’s brave, adventurous, and as crazy as I am.  Thank you, Jane, for sharing such a special day with  me!

I also want to thank my husband for supporting my decision to attend.  Not all significant others would be so generous or trusting.

And a BIG THANKS to Kim!!!  Your parka was the BEST!  I felt perfectly at home in the cold today.  Never once did I shiver or get a chill.  Thank you!

Congratulations to President Barack Obama and his family, Vice President Biden and his family, and to our Nation for such a joyous day.

God Bless