My parents were in town last week, so we spent several days in DC, especially because the cherry blossoms were still quite spectacular. This huge tree was amazing.
Todd missed the first day, so we went back so he could see the gorgeous blossoms too. We decided to go to the Lincoln Memorial because we hadn't the day before. This is a typical visit to the Lincoln Memorial, with lots of people on the steps.
Nadine was sleeping, so we started walking up the sidewalk to the elevator. We decided we would wait on that sidewalk and take turns going into the memorial while Nadine slept.
Just then men in trench coats started telling people on the steps to move back, off the steps. The people already inside the memorial had to stay up there. Hmmm, the day just got interesting. So we stayed in place, with only a shrubbery ("a shrubbery!" heh) between us and the steps.
Soon the steps were empty. It was kind of eery and definitely cool to not have people in my photos. That doesn't happen every day.
Nadine wasn't as impressed.
Oh, there are the people.
THEN the snipers showed up and took their positions on the two corners of the building. So of course we really had to wait and see what the fuss was about. Not just anyone gets sniper cover.
A few minutes later the crowd across from us started screaming like they'd seen a rock star. Then President Obama walked along the perimeter and up the steps into the memorial.
Now, I'm not an Obama fan. Not in the slightest. But I was amazed how neat it was to see the sitting President of the United States. Like him or not, he IS the President, and we all actually really enjoyed the experience. Watching the entire set-up for a presidential visit was also fascinating.
Then the secret service people started wanding the crowd in the front of the memorial. We got more excited--does that mean he's going to come near the crowd?
So we got ready, and sure enough, he came down the stairs, on our side of the memorial. We were told all we needed to do was make sure our hands were visible "at all times." He passed within 10 feet of us.
That day is a great memory. Luckily we had taken Nadine out of the stroller by the time the President came near, because some crazy lady started dumping the stroller to get a better shot. Zealot.
Bye sniper guys.
13 comments:
I can't believe that you were there... how exciting?!
Wow, that is crazy! What great timing!
You couldn't have planned that better! Awesome.
Wow, that doesn't happen every day! What a great memory!
Wow, that doesn't happen every day! What a great memory!
what the what?! that's totally awesome! i'm with you...not a big fan of obama, but how cool that you got to see the actual president! now, if it had been george w., then i may have been the crazy lady trying to get your stroller out of my way! :)
So cool!
What an awesome experience!! I love your sniper pics, both on the roof and leaving!
Hehe. Zealot. That's a good word. For some reason, it reminded me of "donut nazi." And it is uber-cool that you got to see the president. Was Nadine impressed by that?
And to think Jared wanted his Flat Stanley to go to Alaska instead!!! Wow, Stanley totally missed out on this one! :)
How cool is that? Although, I like running into the prophets/apostles better ;)
That is totally crazy! love the sniper dudes though!
Zealot!! That made me laugh out loud. I was even there, and I didn't notice the zealot jockeying for position at the expense of an innocent child!! ...maybe I was HER!!!
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