BarackMichelleWalk_Inauguration

I was lucky enough to see President and First Lady Obama walk right by me on the Inaugural Parade route near 10th Street on Pennsylvania Avenue, and it left a huge impression on me. It was the peak of several wonderful days here, with the city jam-packed full of happy and elated people celebrating. I've lived in DC for several other inaugurations, which were nothing like this.

I looked for a way to explain how they looked, as the President and First Lady went by, and think I eventually found the right words; cheerful, natural, and beautiful. This could also describe Obama's campaign and winning the election, and how that feels here in the US (in spite of the challenges we're facing) and especially here in DC recently. Experiencing the hope he's inspired, to this degree, has convinced me of how powerful it is.

I was able to get some good photos, and contributed one of the President and First Lady walking in the parade to this article (which you can click to get to my Flickr sets with more photos).

Security for the parade was very tight, everyone entering the area was screened, the entire route was lined with a double-row of fencing, and one or two continuous rows of police officers who watched the crowd very carefully. Officers could also be seen on the rooftops of buildings. It's nice to see here some of the additional precautions taken that were not so obvious.

The risk of them walking in the parade was likely less than what they will frequently face in the years ahead. The President can't do his job from inside a bubble. I think it's great they walked as much as they did in the parade, and I'll never forget it.