We just got back from the inauguration!! I have a cousin who lives a few block off the mall, so we had a close place to stay. It was an amazing experience in so many ways. I always feel that way about going to WDC with all the monuments, memorials, and the Smithsonian, but with the new Prez the town was all a twitter. We started off on Monday by visiting the Museum of American History which was just recently reopened. Overall it was a disappointment with only about 50% of the floor space with exhibits. However, there were some cool things. We saw the original American flag except for all the pieces that were hacked off through history as souvenirs. They had some historical actors giving speeches as Jefferson and Lincoln. And there was a civil war band playing instruments from that era and in full authentic uniforms. They even had eye glass frames from that era that they put their own prescriptions in.Then we headed out to tour the whole mall and see what we knew we'd never be able to see on Tuesday. They were playing a recording of the 
concert from Sunday night at the Lincoln Memorial on all the jumbo trons. There were 7 jumbo trons and all were mounted on a semi-trailer. With some circuitous walking we were able to get right up to the fence at the back of the chairs set out on the hill leading up to the capitol. While standing there taking pictures, all of sudden the announcer starts talking and introduces Aretha Franklin! The music started and she started singing! We didn't have our binoculars, so we couldn't really tell if she was there (probably didn't have her gianormous hat on that day). She broke off in the middle and the music kept playing, so maybe she was there! Even though there was nothing official going on, it was just great to wander around so close to where history would be made the next day.
concert from Sunday night at the Lincoln Memorial on all the jumbo trons. There were 7 jumbo trons and all were mounted on a semi-trailer. With some circuitous walking we were able to get right up to the fence at the back of the chairs set out on the hill leading up to the capitol. While standing there taking pictures, all of sudden the announcer starts talking and introduces Aretha Franklin! The music started and she started singing! We didn't have our binoculars, so we couldn't really tell if she was there (probably didn't have her gianormous hat on that day). She broke off in the middle and the music kept playing, so maybe she was there! Even though there was nothing official going on, it was just great to wander around so close to where history would be made the next day.
On Tuesday morning, we should have headed out at O-dark thirty if we wanted to get anywhere close, but we didn't. We headed out about 830 and decided to not even try near the front. Instead, we hit the streets to walk to the area near the Washington Monument where the last big screen was. There were tons of people out streaming toward the mall, blocking traffic on most streets. We had to hop a fence once we arrived at the mall, and then we were jammed into a sea/throng/mob of people. There was a palpable sense of excitement, enthusiasm, happiness, and goodwill. All of those good feelings were especially important while we stood like frozen sardines for 3 hours during the inauguration. We were on the opposite side 
of the mall from the jumbo trons. I could see the screen most of the time except for when the crowd shifted and a tall person was in front of me while Obama took the oath, and we could hear everything. [This picture shows Obama during his speech.] People cheered and sang and we all talked to each other. Even though we were strangers, I guess we felt united and familiar in that moment. What a wild experience! Great to be a part of it. I have a new sense of hope after 8 years with none!
It was a 13 hour drive home on Wednesday with stops for Starbucks, Trader Joes, and the New Hampshire liquor store! We've had quite a bit of snow at regular intervals. It's really beautiful, but it's also been pretty cold. I've now experienced an all time low temperature of -9 degrees. Brrr..We went out yesterday to try out our cross country skis in our back 40. Very nice snow and sort of fun (but for the 25 year old equipment). Today I'm going walking on a frozen lake!
of the mall from the jumbo trons. I could see the screen most of the time except for when the crowd shifted and a tall person was in front of me while Obama took the oath, and we could hear everything. [This picture shows Obama during his speech.] People cheered and sang and we all talked to each other. Even though we were strangers, I guess we felt united and familiar in that moment. What a wild experience! Great to be a part of it. I have a new sense of hope after 8 years with none!It was a 13 hour drive home on Wednesday with stops for Starbucks, Trader Joes, and the New Hampshire liquor store! We've had quite a bit of snow at regular intervals. It's really beautiful, but it's also been pretty cold. I've now experienced an all time low temperature of -9 degrees. Brrr..We went out yesterday to try out our cross country skis in our back 40. Very nice snow and sort of fun (but for the 25 year old equipment). Today I'm going walking on a frozen lake!
