19 January 2009

A day to remember

Yesterday was a day I'll never forget. I could have stayed home, gone to the movies, cleaned house, hung out at Paneras. Instead, I visited my parents, then picked up my friend Kit and headed out to DC. It's about 15 miles from her house. I was the driver, she was the navigator. We were able to use her parking garage, which is in the Penn Quarter area of DC. We started walking. There were vendors on every corner hawking Obama souvenirs. Flags festooned the avenues. Bleachers in place. Catering trucks backing into buildings hosting inaugural events. Everywhere there were people. And latrines! I think I read that there are 17,000 in place! Everywhere you looked were people with smiles on their faces. We knew history was being made. Young and old, black and white and everything in-between. We were one. We sang together, clapped together, were in awe together. It was utterly exciting. Obama-mania.

I had no clue how many celebrities would be speaking and performing at the concert. No idea Obama would attend and give such an inspiring speech.

I stayed warm. I wore: silk long underwear, a fleece lined athletic top, a fleece sweatshirt, fleece pants, two pairs of socks, winter boots, scarf, fleece earmuffs, and a long, heavy full-length coat. I had hand warmers in my heavy gloves. I had a slim hipster purse over my shoulder under my coat, so I was hands-free. I impressed myself with my foresight!

Random shots of the day












I look a little stuffed with all my layers




Last but not least, The Tomato


14 comments:

Brad said...

What fun! - I'm glad you went. Looking at your pics. make me want to go back and see DC again - it's been over 20 years.

Pretty exciting stuff!

Jay said...

It sure looked cold there! I think I would have had a thermos of hot chocolate with me.

KathyA said...

Wow! There were even tomatoes in DC! (Sorry) That looks so exciting! We have to arrange a trip to the White House and the museums in the spring!

beachgirl said...

I am so jealous.
I would have loved to have been there.

Lena said...

I am jealous, too. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome day with us! And I was also impressed with your foresight!

Neponset River Bridge Dig said...

Wow!!! awesome and you look great.

Anonymous said...

I loved watching it at home and I can only imagine how cool it was to be there in person. So glad you wrote about it...MIME

Gin said...

How cool are these photos!! I love that you were there. It's going to be a very historic day tomorrow.

P.S. Thanks for the tomato pic. It looks so healthy and hardy.

Mary said...

You were at the making of history. What a thrill it must have been for you. Thanks for sharing your impressions and the pics. We will live the experience through you.

Your day was exciting but the tomato/tomatoe will give you days of satisfaction. It's growing fast. Keep sharing.

ac said...

I'm so jealous!

I think I saw you on my tee vee!

It's an amazing time. I'm so excited I don't think I can sleep tonight. :-) ac

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

You were there. Oh how cool. I am so envious! (But not in a mean-spirited way.)

Jules said...

Oh Cheryl, thanks so much for sharing this memory with us! It's funny, there was talk about lack of port-a-potties earlier last week. Apparently problem solved :)
Enjoy your day off and all the celebration. I will be glued to my own TV all day. PEACE.

fiwa said...

I'm so glad you went. Just looking at your photos makes me cry! You look beautiful in your coat - and how smart you were to prepare. I can't get over how cold it is there.

Love you -
fiwa

bonnie said...

I'm proud of you for going!!! We take so much for granted since we are so close. It's part of the disease of being "local." Thanks for representing all of us.

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