At the White House

I dashed home yesterday, showered and quickly got ready to go to the White House.

When we arrived we even got to drive across the barricaded road out front to get to the Secret Service building on the other side. OK...the Secret Service do get some privileges for risking their lives every day!!

We parked in the Secret Service garage, then walked right across the street to the White House.

Once there, we took our time and strolled through all the walkways of the South Lawn. You may not realize the White House is actually eighteen acres, so it was a lot of ground to cover.

From the South Lawn of the White House is a beautiful vista of a fountain and garden. And the view is complimented on the horizon by a backdrop of the Washington Monument and in the far distance the dome of the Jefferson Memorial.


We got to walk through the Children's Garden where children of the Presidents have pressed their hand prints into the walkway. It's very cute!



Here are the handprints of Barbara and Jenna Bush when they were much younger.

My friend even pointed out to me where the tennis court and the swimming pool are tucked away. Both are tastefully hidden by extensive landscaping. Unless you know about them you wouldn't even notice them there.

Just imagine...we stood right by the South Portico. It's where they welcome the Ambassadors and Heads of State. It's tradition for them, upon their arrival at the south door, to present their credentials to the President before they step foot into the White House.

I even saw the Oval Office...I was only about ten to twenty yards away. It's right next to the Rose Garden.



We saw Jackie Kennedy's garden too. Prior the to Kennedys it was only a square of green lawn, but Jackie had it made into a beautiful garden lined with topiary trees. It's sure a lovely addition to the front of the White House.

The highlight of our visit was listening to the U.S. Army Band. They played a few old movie ballads, some marches...and America the Beautiful! I sure enjoyed that!!