Motorcade Down Massachusetts Avenue

We had an invitation to attend an event at the Irish Embassy. The traffic was just awful getting there as we left in the middle of rush hour. Many of the streets turn in to one way "highways" heading away from the city- and so was the case along Rock Creek Parkway. After we found a parking spot in  front of Woodrow Wilson's House, we walked along Massachusetts Avenue toward the Embassy. All of a sudden, the shrill noise of several police cars sounded, and it appeared as though it was heading in our direction. As we were about to cross over to the other side near the Embassy, a huge motorcade passed by. Obviously it was impossible to know who was inside, but it was very loud, and very long, and brought traffic to a grinding halt. The VP lives around this area near the Naval Observatory, but it seemed a bit too much for that. I guess it depends who else was with him- or maybe it was something else completely.

Several police on motorcycles followed by a huge motorcade

Passing along the roundabout on Massachusetts Avenue

At least 6 limos - passing by many embassies

Moving along in the distance while a Civil War general observes

Ford's Theatre, Petersen House, and LAPD

If the weather is nice, we try to take a walk to the Mall and see what is happening. We walked along Pennsylvania Avenue and diverted the path to 10th Street NW. This weekend there were a lot of activities around national police week. The streets around town were blocked off everywhere for motorcades, bicycle events, and who knows what. We headed toward Ford's Theatre on 10th Street. I  visited this place in high school and several years after that. It has undergone extensive renovation, and there are play performances here as well. Most recent is the play 1776, which is one of my favorites. I saw it in Boston and New York, and have seen the movie many times on TV.  Across the street is the Petersen House, where Lincoln died. But today, there was some additional fanfare. There were about 20 police on motorcycles sitting in front of Ford's Theater, and they were all the way from LA. Someone mentioned that they were on their way to the White House. All I could think of was that John Wilkes Booth would have been caught a lot sooner if they were standing guard that April evening so long ago. How things have changed.

The front looks the same- gas lamps and all

But the police on motorcycles was unexpected

Robert Redford and crew were here when the movie
"Lincoln Conspirators" previewed

All the way from LA

We only knew that because LAPD was on the side

Interesting scene

Across the street at the Petersen House

The street has changed a bit- T shirt anyone?

State of the Union

This is what the State of the Union does to our neighborhood. This email was sent to Library employees this afternoon:

The US Capitol Police will put the following street closures affecting vehicle traffic into effect on January 24, 2012 at 7:00pm and will lift these street closures when the event has concluded:

North Side of Capitol Square
• D Street, NE between 2nd Street, NE and Louisiana Avenue, NW
• C Street, NE between 2nd Street, NE and Louisiana Avenue, NW
• Constitution Avenue between 2nd Street, NE and Louisiana Avenue, NW
• Delaware Avenue between Columbus Circle and Constitution Avenue, NE
• New Jersey Avenue, NE between Louisiana Avenue, and D Street, NE
• Pennsylvania Avenue between 1st Street, and 3rd Street, NW
• East Capitol Street between 2nd Street, and 1st Street, NE/SE
• 1st Street between Columbus Circle, NE and C Street, SE
• 1st Street between Louisiana Avenue, NW and Washington Avenue, SW

South Side of Capitol Square
• Maryland Avenue, SW between 1st Street, and 3rd Street, SW
• Independence Avenue between 2nd Street, SE and Washington Avenue, SW
• C Street between 1st Street, SE and Washington Avenue, SW
• Delaware Avenue between Washington Avenue, SW and C Street, SW
• New Jersey Avenue between Independence Avenue, and D Street, SE
• South Capitol Street between Independence Avenue and D Street, SE/SW

The street closures, along with helicopters flying overhead,  increased pedestrian traffic, Capitol police cruisers and German Shepherd K-9's on every corner, Police motorcycles, motorcades, secret service and clogged roads makes for a very nasty commute. I'm so glad I only live two blocks from work and lucky enough to be in the thick of it without having to be bothered by it. And when we watch it on TV this evening, it's weird to think it's all happening just down the street.

Getting a bird's eye view of the action

President Motorcade?

While we were waiting at a stop light on Independence Avenue right next to the Washington Monument, and a few blocks from the White House, a line of police on motorcyles passed by. We knew right away that someone of "importance" was being taken somewhere in a hurry. Close behind were about 3-4 black Cadillac Escalade SUV type vehicles, followed by a limo, and even more SUV's and police on motorcycles. Because the windows are darkened, it was impossible to tell who was actually in the limo. Obviously it is commonplace for this parade to occur. But we are not usually in the front row to watch it.

One of many more to come

Another one of many

Wonder who's inside?