Friday, January 16, 2009

Bunting

Stars and stripes surround the door of the PNC Bank branch at 1501 Pennsylvania Avenue
across from the U.S. Treasury Building and within sight of the White House.


Washington pretties itself up and buttons itself down for the inauguration of our nation's presidents and this inauguration is no exception. Today's post features some of the bunting that currently bedecks buildings down near the White House.

Bunting on an office building in the 1800-block of Pennsylvania Avenue

In addition to decorating buildings, security is also very tight. Among other things, the Department of Public Works will remove all trash cans along the presidential parade route. The Department of Transportation will weld all manhole covers shut along the same route. And, on the afternoon of January 19, traffic light poles will be taken down from the center of the avenue. In addition, all bridges from the Commonwealth of Virginia will be closed to auto traffic.

Patriotic colors surround the doorway of the PNC Bank branch on Pennsylvania Avenue

This year's inaugural events includes 22 Jumbotron televisions set up along the length of the National Mall and on the parade route. Crowd estimates currently stand at 2 million. While most of us living in the city and surrounding areas are excited about this year's historic inaugural, many of us are also glad this event only happens every four years!


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 01/09

11 comments:

brattcat said...

They are all interesting, but that first one really grabbed me at the portal. Well done.

RoeH said...

I'd love to be back there and see all this. Very cool!

Janet Kincaid said...

B.C.: Thanks! I like the first one, too!


Lucy: Well, come on back. I'm sure Alice would be happy to have you! Plus, it would give you an opportunity to collect on that missing Christmas gift... Just sayin'... ;-)

Maya said...

How patriotic it all looks. I like the details in the first two shots best.

marley said...

Its very colourful and all very exciting but is basically city lockdown. Does it cause you any problems? Are you going to watch it in the flesh?

Bob Crowe said...

Very nice composition. You have captured the mood of the city this week. It must be a pain in the (name favorite body part) for DC residents, though.

Janet Kincaid said...

Maya: Yeah, I guess if you want a dose of unadulterated patriotism--the kind for all citizens and not just those who support the policies of the outgoing administration--this is one of the places to be. Inaugurations and July 4th are two great times to be in D.C.


Marley: I think I'm going to go down and watch the events on the Jumbotrons by the Lincoln Memorial. The question right now is, when to go and how to get there. I'm only four miles north of the National Mall, but driving down is not an option and public transportation may be too crowded. Walking down is an option if the temperatures aren't too brutal and there's no wind. The problem is afterward and getting home. It's all uphill... So, to answer your question, I'm not 100% sure yet what I'm doing. But I'll keep you posted.


Bob: So far, I think most of us are rolling with the flow. Most of the headache is down near the Capitol, the White House, along the Mall, and several blocks in each direction from those. But, it's only Friday. By Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, it will be a different story entirely. As I said in my entry, it's an exciting time, but we're all glad it's only every four years.

Lois said...

I am enjoying your pictures of DC! I wish I could be there this week.

Janet Kincaid said...

Lois: Things are pretty exciting around here! I think you should come up and bring some of that Florida weather with you. We could use it!

Bernie said...

Great shots, Janet! I was in that same spot yesterday, camera in hand. This is a thrilling time to be in or nead DC!!

Janet Kincaid said...

Bernie: I almost e-mailed you to see if you were in town this week. Are you here through the inauguration? Give me a shout and let's see if we can hook up!