One of the many security checkpoints for the parade. We were about 1,500 people back in line. The security checkpoint was manned by police, Army, Secret Service and Customs officials.
Waiting in line to get in, approximately 6:30 a.m. (the doors did not open until 8:00 a.m.) From L-R: Blanche, Mom, Mom's son, Athena, Maestro and FitnessNerd. 
Athena at 6:30 a.m., enjoying hot tea and hoping not to freeze to death. I did not know from cold at this point.
Maestro and I aboard the Metro at 4:30 a.m.
Blanche and I showing off the latest in Inaugural Parade chic.
Snipers, snipers everywhere.
More snipers.
Two up here ... can you see them?
President Obama's limo (last window, rear, is him)
President Obama's lim (last window rear is him)
President Obama's limo (note the level of security)
The Press corps leading the president's limo.
More press corps ...
Today will be spent attending the parade. I've been up since 2:45 a.m. and we plan on leaving for the train at 4 a.m. The lines to get fare cards yesterday for the train were an hour or more wait, and we were fortunate that we purchased ours on Day 1. The trains were crowded yesterday, but not to the level of Sunday. Today the trains start running at 4 a.m. and stop running at 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning. We are planning to attend the parade, then do some other sightseeing if possible. The parade starts immediately following the inaugural (11:30 a.m. start time) and we have been told to choose one or the other to attend, as the National Park Service has determined that it will not be possible to see both. We are planning to be near the end of the parade route, near the White House and the Treasury building.
(the above was written at 3:30 a.m. on Inauguration Day)
(Written at 7:30 p.m. on Inauguration Day)
We leave tomorrow morning back to Indianapolis at 7:00 a.m. and I need to get some sleep. This morning started at 2:45 a.m. with my alarm. By 4:10 a.m. we were at the train station, and by 4:30 we were aboard a train to DC. The trains were packed this morning, even at 4:30 a.m. By the time we reached our destination along the parade route the cars were completely full and no one else could fit inside.
This was the last time I was warm all day -- until 6:00 p.m. After arriving in DC, we set out for one of the checkpoints along the parade route. The parade had ticketed and unticketed areas. There were only 5,000 tickets sold and we were unable to get those. Thus, we had to wait with the marjority of people in the unticketed lines. I would guesstimate we had maybe 1,500 people ahead of us in line and untold thousands behind us waiting to get in. The weather this morning was frigid and the pictures I send of me and us as a group tell that tale fairly well. The security to get in the parade route was intensive. First a bomb sniffing dog worked the line, then we were herded single file into three rows into a fairly large tent. The tent had Army soldiers, Secret Service, Police, Customs and other law enforcement who patted down each person coming into the parade area. As you might imagine, this was a time-consuming process, but it was efficient.
We found a spot on Pennsylvania Avenue, just across the street from the White House. We were located just in front of the Williard Hotel and just across from the Commerce Dept. Bldg. In the bottom floor of the Commerce Bldg is the White House Visitors Center. As you might imagine, security was tight all around us. From the double permimeter around the parade route of gates to a police officer every 5 feet or so along the route to yet another row of Army soldiers behind the police and right next to the parade route, the area was secure. In addition to that, there were snipers on every building. There were many more in the area and I'm sure there were more that I did not notice.
"Parade-chic" wear was nowhere in attendance. It was in the low 30s/high 20s and we arrived at the parade route at 5:45 a.m. for a 2:30 p.m. start time. As you are probably aware by now, the parade was delayed due to Sen. Kennedy's collapse at the post-inaugural luncheon. The parade did not actually start until around 4 p.m. By this time we had been out in the cold for 10.5 hours.
Finally, finally, the big moment arrived. We had been told that it was likely the President would walk from our location to his viewing stands. Obviously, for security reasons, it is not announced when, where or if he will walk in the parade. Unfortunately, he was in his car as he passed us. Apparently as he turned the corner onto 15th St., he got out of the car and began walking.
Some observations about his motorcade:
1. He is led in by the D.C. Chief of Police, a motorcycle brigade and numerous police cars. His limo is just behind three different press vehicles, most of which look like farm vehicles to be honest. Think farm truck with a large bed and you have the idea (see photos). Then his limo appears and it is followed closely by more Secret Service, police and other guards.
2. He appeared happy and smiled and waved to the crowd from his limo. I have enclosed a few pictures of him. Perhaps with enlargement they will come out better. Not the best pictures but honestly, his limo windows were very dark. Following our sighting of President Obama, we left for Vienna. It had been a long day and we had not been able to eat since 5:30 a.m. breakfast. The food selection within the gated area was limited to hot and cold beverages and some cold sandwiches. After standing out in the cold since 5:30 a.m., it was hard to imagine eating anything cold.
Following the parade (with only Blanche and I staying for the whole shindig), we went back to the local pub in Vienna and had beer, coffee and sandwiches. It was the best meal ever and I am sure I know why -- we were cold and starving and would have eaten cardboard if it was offered to us.
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