The White House

While the Obamas were waking up on Saturday morning, there was a crowd of people walking through their living room.  We were a part of that crowd.

Our appointment was for 8 am, and there were many people already there, lined up outside the White House. We tried to stand still and polite, what with all the security guards around, but most of us were bouncing and shifting and rubbing our hands together to stay warm in the nippy early morning air.  We were all traveling light, since it's recommended to not take much stuff with you.  After we went through security (which included standing in a certain spot near a curtain - a dog was behind the curtain, sniffing each person), we followed the crowd through the house.  In each room there was a Secret Service Agent, who was happy to answer any questions.  Each item in each room has a story, and if you ever take the tour, I recommend you ask lots of questions!

We weren't allowed to take photos on the tour, but you can see exactly what we saw on many sites online.  I found this site to be pretty good:

virtual tour of the White House

We really enjoyed the tour, especially because we had read plenty of interesting books ahead of time - the kind that tell the fun stories of what President kids did and such.  All these stories came rushing back to us: "Here's where the Roosevelt's children sneaked their pony Macaroni up the elevator to visit a sick brother who was bored in bed!"  "Woah.  President Lincoln stood right here!"   So neat!

Posing after our tour

We finally said goodbye to DC and went home to pack.  As I sorted through closets and put our stuff into boxes, the phone rang.   A man said, "Hello?  This is Dave over at the White House.  Is this Erika?"   I kid you not.  Dave, over at the White House, gave me a call.  And he asked me to come back.  Return to D.C., he said.  It's true.

Apparently I had dropped my driver's license on the front porch of the White House.  It probably happened when I pulled my phone out of my back pocket so the above picture could be taken.  Dave was suggesting I come back and get it.

We packed up the cottage, and then, on our westward way across the country, we swung by the White House.  As we pulled into a parking spot, I called Dave over at the White House on my cell, as he had suggested.

"Hi, Dave.  It's me, Erika.  I'm here." Dave and I met just outside the White House for the exchange.  Yep.