Saturday afternoon, we strolled from our hotel on H and 7th, and my dear wife Karen pointed to the right down Pennsylvania Avenue.
It was time to see The White House. We saw the guard house and the line of tourists snaking past it on a narrow lane.
Press against the fence up ahead.
We advanced to portable barricades, where I spied another crossing, a black picket fence and many bodies lined up with faces peering through the bars.
Yes, our White House was ahead.
Pretty setting, somewhat.
I climbed eight inches to the top of the cememt foothold and raised my iPhone 6 above the top rail. I snapped away toward the lawn, the flowering tree, tents set up for the next day’s Easter festivities, I figured. A security guard rolled behind me on a bicycle and told me to get down. I got down.
We walked back to the hotel, got ready to see Neil Diamond in concert at Verizon Center. Karen said the White House was not as she pictured it.
The next day, after our Easter Sunday roundabout of the Tidal Basin and Reflecting Pool, we walked here and there in the general direction back toward H and 7th. We passed Foggy Bottom and George Washington University. We passed a beautiful plaza with old homes on one side, including the Blair House.
We saw many tourists and a guards and unmarked cars and a black iron fence ahead to the right. Pennsylvania Avenue ahoy.
And there was the front of our White House.
Beauty up front.
It was beautiful, majestic. Just as Karen had pictured it. Our delightful mistake of the day, in fact.
Somebody important lives here.
Our house is a very, very, very White House.
The security was palpable. You could feel it as much as see it. No messing around here. Karen and I posed for shots we took of each other, feeling quite safe, indeed.
Seeing both sides of the premises, I figured I’d be happy to go through the back door if I ever got the chance to come over for a beer or wine or something.
Coming tomorrow: Food and Drink
See Sunday: The Night Time
Have you visited the White House, and if you did, what did you think of the grounds? What would be your special touch to the property if given the chance? What’s your favorite photo and why?
Mark Bialczak 
Lovely photos, Mark. This is what my girls and I were on our way to see when I realized it was Daylight Savings Time and we might miss our flight home. We quickly got off the bus and hailed a cab back to our hotel. We never did get to see the White House. Now … thanks to your photos … I have. 😉
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It’s as beautiful as you’d think, Judy. You and your girls need to plan another trip, next generation included. 🙂
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My fave is the second to last one because it is close up yet it shows the fountain. 🙂 But they’re all awesome photos! Great job! 😀
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The fountain is pretty cool. No wonder people put fountains in their yard, Rachel. Not me, though. Thanks!
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Oh, Mr. B. I am glad you got down as soon as you were told to. Mrs. B married a smart man! 🙂 The last time I was there it was very difficult to see the premises because of barricades, so I have never gotten a good look of the White House. Boy, you covered a lot of ground on your visit!
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Yeah, I got so carried away trying to get the best shot, I wasn’t thinking to climb up like that. Dumb move. Reality check hearing that authoritative voice over my shoulder, Mrs. B. 😮
We covered as much ground as we could without feeling rushed about it. I still have a lot of posts to go! Thanks, Mrs. B.
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Hey mark… Great shots and laughing at u clbing to get the photo! How fun. Also catching the blooms in DC is truly a special time to vist dc…. Anyhow now I have the tune….. Very very very white house…..🏠
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Thanks, Y! I live to amuse and entertain and educate my friends. 😉
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I think the security guard was related to the mother who gave you a mean look! i also think the White House is beautiful and am glad you made your happy mistake to see it as it should be seen. Foggy Bottom?!
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I think Foggy Bottom is a great neighborhood name, Rachel. And I can’t blame the guard for doing his job. Who knows if a crazy will try to scurry over the fence after pretending to take a photo with a phone. Not me, mind you. I’d never make it over. 😦
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now i’m laughing!
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Sounds like you nearly started an international incident just trying to take a picture. What has the world come to?
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How smart am I trying to climb up on the White House fence to get a better picture is more the question, Bill. My Homer d’ohj moment of the trip. 😮
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drove by it on a bus tour. Love that you snapped close shots. What a gorgeous day it was for you 🙂
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Warm and sunny, can’t beat that combo for we northerners, right, Liz? 🙂
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I went on a White House tour back in 1991, in December, so we got to see the White House Christmas trees on display. My favorite building, structure wise, is the Supreme Court Building.
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Wow, you got to see the inner White House. I’m a tad envious, Sheena. At Christmas time! Fantastic. The Justice buildings all were very impressive, yes, I remember from the weekend … 🙂
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It is a very very very fine-looking house indeed.
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I wonder of Mr. and Mrs. President have two cats in the yard, Kerbey.
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I thought they only Portuguese water dogs.
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Maybe, Kerbey.
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The last pic is one that I am used to seeing but it looks like the view was cleared for picture taking. The second picture is more like what I would expect – fences and trees and landscaping.
Fascinating series of photo posts Mark. I checked them all out but didn’t comment as i was late arriving and there were a gazillion comments – the posts are striking a chord.
Thanks so much.
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Thanks, Paul. I’m glad you are enjoying my series on D.C. I’m proud of the work I put in.
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Seems like you got pretty close despite the high security! I like the bottom pic the best, just the closest, most centered, nicely done!
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I got as close as the fence would allow me, Marissa. I wish it could have been closer, for sure. Thanks for the kind words on the photo. I did crop that last one some for best viewing. 🙂
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Yes, when that guard told you to get down you should have hopped the fence and made a run for it!!
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I’d still be trying to raise bail money, Marissa. 😦
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I’ve seen the outside, but never been in. I’d love to tour The White House. I think I won’t get around to it until I’m quite the old lady. Time + Money + Paperwork…
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Maybe you’ll get the chance before “old,” Joey. I haven’t been inside, yet, either. Someday.
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It is very white and very pretty grounds Mark. Thanks for sharing it with this Canadian. ❤
Diana xo
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It is both of those, Diana. I’m glad you enjoyed my view. ❤
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The US really does a great job of memorializing history. In many ways they are more proud than Canadians. I think the difference must lie in the fact that the US fought for their independence from Britain (Patriots) and Canada remained a colony of Britain(Loyalists), to this day a member of the Common Wealth. God save the Queen and all that, eh.
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I think there is a big distinction that you have voiced very well, Diana. Eh, indeed. 🙂
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Awesome. You’re so lucky to visit DC, I haven’t been in years! I’ve always wanted to do the White House tour but I’m afraid with the way security is now and how you have to apply for it months ahead of time it’s probably not going to happen. Ah, well.
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Don’t give up on it, Cheney. Especially because you should try for Elise. Yoy never know.
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I haven’t attempted. I may try to plan a trip to DC next year.
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Elise would love it, Cheney. There’s so much to do and see.
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Oh yea I’ve been there before, the last time was ages ago, probably back in like 2000 I think, definitely before 9/11. I love the museums. I can’t wait to take Elise to see all the stuff I was fascinated by as a kid. My favorite is the rock/gem room in the natural history museum and all the Space stuff at the Air/Space museum. AND our flag.
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Think of how great it will be to share this with her! I’m excited for you.
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We’ve posed in front of it before but have never been inside. You have to arrange for tickets through your congressional rep and we haven’t been successful in coordinating times yet. We did book a reservation once which the WH subsequently canceled for security reasons. One of these days, Mark, one of these days. You really are in the city at the most beautiful time of year!
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It was gorgeous, Barbara. Yes, someday inside. Good mission, for sure. 🙂
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I went to the White House many years ago, Mark. Thanks for taking us along with you. Great pictures and commentary, as usual.
Here’s a song for you:
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Yes, indeed, Ann, it is Our House. Thanks for the CSN & Y.
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Eashington can be impressive. I love D.C. Glad you had such fun!
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Thanks, Kate. I hope you get the chance to bring Heather B. there this August!
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Nicely done, Mark … Looks like you had a beautiful afternoon to take that walk around. It gives a totally different feel being there and seeing the White House, the Capitol, the memorials and all the other structures that are so crucial to the running of our country. I can’t imagine living in the U.S. and not making that pilgrimage at least once.
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It cements a lot of our freedoms that people take for granted, Jim, ones that should never be considered even lightly.
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I’m not a fan of people leaving links to their blogs in comments instead of commenting on the writer’s post, but in the interest of expediency (and verification), I share the awe and the adjective “majestic,” so it’s clearly true! One of my DC posts: http://wp.me/p1wS2d-1K6
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I’m happy for you to share the specific link, Hippie. Feel no hesitiation at my house, OK? Thank you, your majest(ic)y. 😉
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Great pictures, Mark! Such an iconic building, and beautiful grounds too. Enjoy your holiday!
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Thanks, Ali. I loved our holiday getaway. 🙂
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