Inauguration Trip Friday to Sunday

Finally an account of our January trip to D.C. for the inauguration. 

Friday evening we dropped the kids off at Lisa's parent's house and then hit the road.

  on the road 7:32 PM Jan 16th

We spent the night at a hotel (in Ohio) and then continued the journey the next morning.

started seeing cars and buses headed to DC before we got to Pittsburgh 12:32 PM Jan 17th

We planned to spend Saturday and Sunday nights in a hotel (while the rates were still reasonable) and then Monday night with friends.  We stayed at the Econo Lodge Metro in Arlington.  It's got reasonable prices and quality and is a short walk from a metro stop.  After checking in we went to meet some friends for dinner in old Alexandria (Union Street Pub).

at the hotel in D.C. Tonight, dinner with The Elders 5:28 PM Jan 17th

Sunday morning we walked to the metro station and road into D.C.  Here are a couple of photos of the national mall with the multitude of portajohns and jumbotrons set up.

on the mall. now, where to eat lunch? 12:08 PM Jan 18th

We tried to find our way to an Indian place for lunch, but Google Maps failed us.  We ended up choosing something else for convenience.

Rio Grande Wrap at Bruegger's 12:38 PM Jan 18th

Here is a video of Lisa from lunch:

After lunch we walked back to the mall, thinking we might try to see the We Are One concert.  As we stood in front of the White House right next to the Washington Monument, several helicopters flew over our heads.  One landed on the White House lawn, greeted by a crowd.  Later we learned that it was President Bush.

helicopters flew over our heads and one landed on White House lawn 1:34 PM Jan 18th

Here is a video of the helicopters:

in line for the concert. will we get in? 2:09 PM Jan 18th

didn't get in. headed for a jumbotron 2:27 PM Jan 18th

Here are some photos of the crowds watching the concert via jumbotron at the Washington Monument.

Here is a video of the crowd near the beginning of the concert while Denzel Washington was talking:

few seconds delay between audio and video on jumbotron. The Boss sings The Rising 2:43 PM Jan 18th

"Michael Scott" and Jamie Foxx tag team 2:54 PM Jan 18th

Jamie Foxx does a good Obama impression! 2:56 PM Jan 18th

everyone wondering who bettye lavette is 2:56 PM Jan 18th

but know bonjovi 2:57 PM Jan 18th

"Forrest Gump" reading Lincoln quotes 3:03 PM Jan 18th

surrounded by an endless mosaic of colors...of hats, coats, and skin3:07 PM Jan 18th

James Taylor 3:09 PM Jan 18th

John Legend 3:10 PM Jan 18th

Biden 3:13 PM Jan 18th

does he still go by Mellencamp 3:16 PM Jan 18th

Queen Latifa (sp?) 3:21 PM Jan 18th

Josh Groban elicits chuckles from the crowd 3:24 PM Jan 18th

Cal Penn and George Lopez. Is Penn Harold or Kumar? 3:28 PM Jan 18th

will.i.am, Herbie Hancock, S Crow sing Marley's One Love 3:30 PM Jan 18th

Obama bobs head to reggae beat 3:32 PM Jan 18th

Tiger Woods 3:32 PM Jan 18th

Jack Black sports a green tie and tag teams with Rosario Dawson 3:39 PM Jan 18th

Garth Brooks 3:41 PM Jan 18th

Barack bobs head to Garth too 3:42 PM Jan 18th

Garth leads the masses in Shout 3:44 PM Jan 18th

Garth Brook's performance, energy, and the way he engaged the crowd was one of the more enjoyable moments of the concert.

Ashley Judd and Forrest Whitaker 3:48 PM Jan 18th

Usher? and Shakira and Stevie Wonder do Higher Ground 3:51 PM Jan 18th

need the Chilli Peppers 3:52 PM Jan 18th

Samuel L. 3:54 PM Jan 18th

U2 sings Pride as sun peaks through the clouds 3:58 PM Jan 18th

As a U2 fan since high school (and someone who bought a U2/MLK Pride (In the Name of Love) t-shirt in Europe in high school and then wrote MLK quotes all over it as a freshman at Lipscomb, the U2 performance was certainly memorable.

Bono gives shout-out to Israelis and Palestinians 4:03 PM Jan 18th

Bono corrected the historical inaccuracy in Pride 4:06 PM Jan 18th

Obama steps to the mic 4:10 PM Jan 18th

Pete Seeger...This Land is Your Land 4:18 PM Jan 18th

Pete Seeger and crew's performance of This Land is Your Land was great…especially since the crowd was singing a long and laughing at the funny parts. 

Here is a video of the crowd during Seeger's performance:

Beyonce sings America the Beautiful 4:23 PM Jan 18th

After the concert was over, we made our way to a nearby metro stop.  After about 30 minutes waiting in line, we were on a train and headed back to the hotel.

in line for subway, Smithsonian stop 5:02 PM Jan 18th

that was pretty quick. now riding in crowded subway 5:33 PM Jan 18th

Here's a photo of the crowded subway train:

back at the hotel making plans for dinner 6:03 PM Jan 18th

We took a short walk to a restaurant near the hotel for dinner and watched the Eagles lose to the Cardinals.  Then we walked back to the hotel and watched the Steelers' game before hitting the sack.

Bear Rock Cafe for dinner and football 6:17 PM Jan 18th

reclining in bed watching the Steelers 9:22 PM Jan 18th

Polamalu! 10:02 PM Jan 18th