Today, June 26, GG and Grandpa got us up at 4am and piled us in the car for the drive back to Washington, DC. We had a 7:30am appointment at the Obama's house. All of the boys were hoping they would offer us a bite of breakfast.
The drive was quite smooth, with little traffic until we got within 20 miles of DC. Luckily there are nice, dedicated HOV lanes that we could use to sail right into the city. Grandpa drove around trying to find some parking, but the street parking was not available until 9:30, so he had to bite the bullet and pay $10 hour to park in a garage.
There was a long line of people waiting to go into the White house. We got in line and waited
for a bit, but it didn't seem to be moving, so the guy in front of us went to check with the guards. We were able to move right up to the front with our 7:30 appointment.
The White House tour is self-guided. First we had to go through several security checks. They checked our reservation printout, looked up our names on their list, verified GG and Grandpa's government issued IDs, called off all of our names and finally let us into the grounds. Next we went through the same process again, and this time they also X-rayed us too and we went through a metal detector.
The entry to the White house was a big hall with photographs of many past presidents doing various presidential things--greeting important leaders, playing or drinking tea with their families, Roosevelt giving one of his fireside chats, waving as they get on their helicopter.
Next we got to see the library, where there are 2700 books lining the walls. All of these books were either written by American authors or written about American subjects.
The Vermeil room had several pieces of Vermeil--silver dishes coated with a thin layer of gold. There were also several portraits of past first ladies on the walls in this room.
The China room is a place to display china. There were several cabinets full of the custom designed china used for official events. Edith Wilson was the first to display the china in this room in 1917.
The East room was a big hall used for events that are attended by several people, such a weddings, receptions, and special performances.
The Green room is a small sitting room where tea or luncheon may be served for small parties On display were some old pieces of silver--an urn and some candlesticks--from the 1700s.
The Blue room is right underneath the oval office. It is also oval-shaped and is used for receptions. Grover Cleveland got married there. Every year the chandelier in this room is taken down so that a huge Christmas Tree can be set up here.
The Red room is the First Lady's sitting room. There is a famous painting of George Washington in this room. This painting was saved by Dolly Madison when the White House was burned down during the War of 1812.
The State Dining Room is a huge hall with a big dining table and fancy velvet chairs. Over 135 people can be seated in this room. We also saw the ballroom.
We were all disappointed that we didn't get to see the swimming pool or the bowling alley or anybody who lived there or any of the places they really live.
The drive was quite smooth, with little traffic until we got within 20 miles of DC. Luckily there are nice, dedicated HOV lanes that we could use to sail right into the city. Grandpa drove around trying to find some parking, but the street parking was not available until 9:30, so he had to bite the bullet and pay $10 hour to park in a garage.
The White House tour is self-guided. First we had to go through several security checks. They checked our reservation printout, looked up our names on their list, verified GG and Grandpa's government issued IDs, called off all of our names and finally let us into the grounds. Next we went through the same process again, and this time they also X-rayed us too and we went through a metal detector.
The entry to the White house was a big hall with photographs of many past presidents doing various presidential things--greeting important leaders, playing or drinking tea with their families, Roosevelt giving one of his fireside chats, waving as they get on their helicopter. Next we got to see the library, where there are 2700 books lining the walls. All of these books were either written by American authors or written about American subjects.
The Vermeil room had several pieces of Vermeil--silver dishes coated with a thin layer of gold. There were also several portraits of past first ladies on the walls in this room.The China room is a place to display china. There were several cabinets full of the custom designed china used for official events. Edith Wilson was the first to display the china in this room in 1917.The East room was a big hall used for events that are attended by several people, such a weddings, receptions, and special performances.
The Green room is a small sitting room where tea or luncheon may be served for small parties On display were some old pieces of silver--an urn and some candlesticks--from the 1700s.
The Blue room is right underneath the oval office. It is also oval-shaped and is used for receptions. Grover Cleveland got married there. Every year the chandelier in this room is taken down so that a huge Christmas Tree can be set up here.
The Red room is the First Lady's sitting room. There is a famous painting of George Washington in this room. This painting was saved by Dolly Madison when the White House was burned down during the War of 1812.
The State Dining Room is a huge hall with a big dining table and fancy velvet chairs. Over 135 people can be seated in this room. We also saw the ballroom.
We were all disappointed that we didn't get to see the swimming pool or the bowling alley or anybody who lived there or any of the places they really live.
No Obama autograph bummer
ReplyDeleteI was being a bit sacastic! But so glad you were able to get tickets and went back. Back in 1968 Ray took me there and I got to tour the White House. But none of the hassle. Just stood in line and went in. As I remember it everything was beautiful. It hadn't been that long since Jacqueline. Kennedy Had redone the White. House.
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