Recap!

Back to Haley Horstemeyer for a recap of our trip...

Day 1: After waiting for the drug dog to give us the ok, we embarked on our 7-hour journey to Washington DC. Mostly we slept and listened to our iPods, all patiently waiting until we arrived. The second we got into the city, we all split up and roamed for a bit about the city. There were street vendors everywhere trying to sell us everything from Obama-Biden coffee mugs to a huge canvas oil painting of Obama in front of the White House. We ate then went on a nighttime monument tour of DC. Next we meandered back to the hotel, which began the trials and tribulations that we call ROOM ASSIGNMENTS. After we were all settled, we headed to our rooms and waited for the next day to come.

Day 2: After waking up late because of a faulty alarm clock, my group rushed downstairs to grab a muffin and head off into DC. Our first stop was at Mount Vernon (George Washington's estate), where we did some more of that patient waiting. Mount Vernon was lovely and historically fascinating and horrendously freezing. The thing that seemed to interest us most was just how tiny the beds in the household were. (the guide insisted that they were 6.5 feet long, but we knew better) We managed to eat lunch at the food court (another trying experience because of the overflow of people). Next we migrated to Arlington National Cemetery, which I expected to be boring, but ended up being my favorite place we visited. To me, it was a profound experience to see so many people who were willing to protect our country. After Arlington, we headed to the hotel so that we could get ready for our inaugural ball. Being that we were running a tad bit late, we only had 20 minutes to get ready. The pandemonium that was 4-Girls-Getting-Dressed-and-Ready was certainly a sight to see. At the dance, Myrtle Beach were the superstars! We were the first ones on the floor, and we probably would have been the last ones off, if not for the fact that we had to wake up early the next morning.

Day 3: INAUGURATION DAY!!! After a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call, we arrived in DC by 6 so that we could stand on a street corner for 6 hours until the inauguration began. Needless to say, we were the littlest bit grumpy and tired while waiting. To pass the boredom, we all chattered and somehow there was a large group of us that fell asleep standing up (that takes TALENT!). After what seemed like centuries, the inauguration began. Being that I am 5'3, I felt like there was always a family of giants standing in front of me, inhibiting my view of the Jumbotron, but I did manage to hear everything that Obama said. It was absolutely amazing to hear this historical landmark happen. Hearing the address made the waiting, the freezing, and the lack of sleep worth it. After the inauguration (and hours of traffic) we made it to the Pentagon City Mall (which was also packed) where we all goofed off and relaxed. We made it back to the hotel early and were finally able to sleep!

Day 4: Day 4 was met with the realization that we had to leave, so we packed our bags haphazardly and dragged them downstairs. After a quick visit to the capital, we were on our way back to Myrtle Beach and the prospect of school the next day. We shared pictures and stories the whole way home.

This trip was truly an amazing experience. Being able to see history happen with some of my closest friends was fantastic. Its really cool to know that 20 or 30 years from now I can look at a history book and say that I saw Obama become president.

Thanks to Mrs. Martin, Mr. Wallace, Mrs. Kerr, and Coach Beck to putting up with us for 4 days, and being brave enough to take us on this trip.