Monday, the 19th of January a mortgage specialist (Beth) I work with and I decided on a whim to drive the five hours to Washington DC to be a part of the Inauguration of our 44th President. There was supposed to be a snowstorm in Raleigh on Monday night and Tuesday so we packed up the Grand Cherokee and left Raleigh at 430pm on Monday afternoon. We had no official tickets or passes, had know idea where to park, we just decided to wing it. Plans were to get inside the beltway and park in the Georgetown area and then try to get into a bar (they stay open till 4am) or rest in the car and then walk over to the mall. I have a cousin Dave that I hadn't seen in YEARS. I sent him an email via my PDA and also called his Dad (my great uncle) who also lives in Springfield VA. As we were stopped in Richmond to get Beth a charge for her Blackberry. I got a response from Dave and he was very cordial and offered us a bed for the night. Wow, we had a warm place to sleep. So we get to Lorton VA and make our way to Dave and his wife Patty's estate. We were still amazed that we were lucky enough to connect with them and they were so accommodating. Dave gave me a big hug and his super nice wife Patty greeted us. They had official tickets to the Inaugural Parade for us thanks to their neighbors.... WOW WOW WOW. The big guy upstairs was certainly looking down on us. And, Dave's younger brother Mike, a fellow Realtor was there too! So I got to see him as well. Mike had tickets to one of the secure stands for viewing the inauguration. We talked about what our plans would be for getting in to the city while chatting like it had only been a couple of weeks since we'd seen each other. Patty had EVERYTHING set out for us as far as the itinerary. Her suggestion to take the free bus from the shopping center nearby to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station was spot on. Our idea to drive and park at the Metro station would have been disastrous as the traffic into the station was backed up for miles. Our bus zoomed past all of those cars and before we knew it we were inside the station along with several thousand other Americans! 
This picture shows the people from inside the cross over to the station. We waddled like thousands of weebles as we made our way in to the station. We already had SmartTrip cards because Dave and Patty gave us theirs so that we wouldn't have to try to get to the fare machines. It was a crowded train when we finally got on and we were glad we got on where we did. Franconia-Springfield was the end of the line so the train was empty. Imagine all those people who wanted to get on at the stations we came into on our way toward the city, some crammed in but not many at all. We chatted with all of the people we "got close to" on our journey. Everyone had a peaceful at ease look on their faces, like the weight of the world had been lifted from their shoulders. We laughed, we were inspired, we were happy and laughing and we all knew that the responsibility of what happened to our nation as we go forward was not just the responsibility of the elected officials in Washington DC. Here's Beth talking with a woman from Tennessee
, I gave her my seat and when I did, the other guys who were seated, got up and gave their seats to the other ladies that were standing. It does only take one person to take action and others will follow. Keep that in mind as we move forward over the coming years.The next decision was what Metro station to get off at. The trains were backed up and late getting into the up line stations because of the heavy demand. We pulled up to Arlington Cemetery station and decided that we would get off there and walk across the Arlington Memorial Bridge, it was a short walk of 1.5 miles and we walked past the sculptures, Aspiration and Literature and Music and Harvest, then the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial and the World War II Memorial. We figured we'd watch the Inauguration from that area before we departed for the Parade. Here are some of the pictures of the monuments and the faces of the people of our great nation.
The last picture above shows the walk toward the Washington Monument. It was still early and there was still space not filled with people. You'll notice as we got closer to the World War II Memorial the people had already filled in. 
Beth and I continued to walk, thinking we might be able to get closer. We also had in mind the next phase of the day which was to get to the parade stands. As we moved north toward the Capitol we were only able to as far a 15th Avenue, our quest was 12th (an official crossing point) to get us to the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue toward our Yellow Gate C. The secret service had closed points north and the access on 12th to the parade stands. After talking with one DC Police Office Haley we were told to turn and go south to where we had started. We gave up the thought of watching a jumbo tron with the swearing in ceremony for the hike around the city to get around to Yellow Gate C which we knew would be at least another three to four miles, at least. Okay, so my gunboats were starting to feel the
many thousands of steps I'd already hammered my weight plus the five layers down on them. I know my feet didn't like me, but my endorphins had kicked in and I was going to conquer Gate C and get into the parade. By 10:30 AM we had made it to Gate C (we even tried to get in through other gates but the gatekeepers turned us away). 
As we stood there with MANY other "official ticket holders", observing no passing of people through the security gates except police officers, county sheriffs, special police etc. One of the police officers informed us that the Secret Service had closed our gate and they would not be allowing anyone else through. They supposedly had met the numbers of people they were authorized to let in, 300 thousand. Of course we were disappointed but we had hope the gate would open. We listened to the oath of office being given and the inaugural address by President Obama over the loud speakers. Hoping upon hope that The Secret Service would be letting us to our bleacher seats. It didn't happen. Eventually we were told that the gate at 12th Ave was opened but they did not know for how long. We pondered whether to try it and after waiting ten minutes and the officer saying it wasn't going to happen at this gate we walked another two blocks. When we got to that area, the entire city block was FULL of people hoping to get through the security gates into the parade. Within two minutes of standing in that line this poor beleaguered guy with tears in his eyes said the Secret Service had just closed the gate. Beth and I looked at each other, knowing that we had been witness to history, we were there, we saw the people, we had a new President and a time for hope, inspiration and helping each other was upon us. The days of being afraid and living in fear are gone. We hopped on the Metro and went back to the car. We beat the crowd and got back home at 7pm.
Beth and I continued to walk, thinking we might be able to get closer. We also had in mind the next phase of the day which was to get to the parade stands. As we moved north toward the Capitol we were only able to as far a 15th Avenue, our quest was 12th (an official crossing point) to get us to the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue toward our Yellow Gate C. The secret service had closed points north and the access on 12th to the parade stands. After talking with one DC Police Office Haley we were told to turn and go south to where we had started. We gave up the thought of watching a jumbo tron with the swearing in ceremony for the hike around the city to get around to Yellow Gate C which we knew would be at least another three to four miles, at least. Okay, so my gunboats were starting to feel themany thousands of steps I'd already hammered my weight plus the five layers down on them. I know my feet didn't like me, but my endorphins had kicked in and I was going to conquer Gate C and get into the parade. By 10:30 AM we had made it to Gate C (we even tried to get in through other gates but the gatekeepers turned us away). 
As we stood there with MANY other "official ticket holders", observing no passing of people through the security gates except police officers, county sheriffs, special police etc. One of the police officers informed us that the Secret Service had closed our gate and they would not be allowing anyone else through. They supposedly had met the numbers of people they were authorized to let in, 300 thousand. Of course we were disappointed but we had hope the gate would open. We listened to the oath of office being given and the inaugural address by President Obama over the loud speakers. Hoping upon hope that The Secret Service would be letting us to our bleacher seats. It didn't happen. Eventually we were told that the gate at 12th Ave was opened but they did not know for how long. We pondered whether to try it and after waiting ten minutes and the officer saying it wasn't going to happen at this gate we walked another two blocks. When we got to that area, the entire city block was FULL of people hoping to get through the security gates into the parade. Within two minutes of standing in that line this poor beleaguered guy with tears in his eyes said the Secret Service had just closed the gate. Beth and I looked at each other, knowing that we had been witness to history, we were there, we saw the people, we had a new President and a time for hope, inspiration and helping each other was upon us. The days of being afraid and living in fear are gone. We hopped on the Metro and went back to the car. We beat the crowd and got back home at 7pm.I left that moment in history thinking about all the faces. All of us Americans, every size, shape, color, look, religion, ethnicity, orientation. All of us, regardless of the difference that makes us, "us", we were a collection of people that look the way the whole of the United States of America looks. United we stand! As a united, States of America we can accomplish anything we set our hearts and minds too. We can, pull up our boot straps and do what needs to be done. In one day, the world in front of me changed. The look in the eyes of all those faces showed the hope and desire of the American people. I remembered walking along the reflecting pool with tears my eyes, seeing the faces of the American people knowing that all things good will never parish, all things good will rise. Yep tears in my eyes and damned proud to be an American.
Even though my poor feet hurt, I was happy with my decision to be spontaneous. It had been a long time. It would have been easier to find an excuse not to go and just sit at home and watch it on TV, but being there to experience it live will last in my memory and my heart for the rest of my life.
