TDudette

Here's the calendar:

July 2011: The trip coordinator of an arts group to which I belong contacted our senator's office about visiting the White House

August 2011 (or thereabouts): We are sent list of what we need to do and we must provide much personal information about ourselves. No photos are allowed.

December 1, 2011: Trip coordinator is advised that our group has been OK'd, tells us the date and our time which is 7:30 a.m.! We must be there 15 minutes ahead of time. Trip coordinator must quickly book a bus (she gave the company a heads up months ago).

Day before the trip: I find a pair of trousers that will hold my picture ID, a credit card and my telephone. I will leave the phone on our bus (which is secure per driver). I take my shower at night and drink an extra glass of wine so I can get to sleep by 8:30.

Day of the trip:

Get up at 4:30 a.m. and have time to get some breakfast.
5:15 a.m. drive to bus meeting point
6:00 a.m. bus leaves from Annapolis
6:45 a.m. we have reached D.C. and driver parks in front of the Willard Hotel and lets us wait on the bus until 7 when we will be allowed to get in line. It is cold outside.
7:00 a.m. we are in line and told to get into a single file in alphabetically order.
7:15 a.m. we are led through gates where our ID's are checked. One couple's birth years don't agree with what was emailed. They are not allowed in.
7:30 a.m. we go through another entry way and our IDs are checked again and we go through metal detectors. Someone sees a sign that photos are OK. We have all left our phones on the bus and are a tad annoyed.
8:30 a.m. we are finished!

Now, about the rooms and decorations:

MichelleY

Was it worth the planning?

MY

yk

TDudette, I'm waiting to hear the description of the decorations!

nytraveler

That will teach them to lie about their ages!

TDudette

Was it worth the planning? Just about, but it was close to NOT because it was so early. We spent almost as much time waiting outside in line and going through security. Expect it's easier if it isn't a group of 30 people! But it was very enjoyable. The rooms were labelled as to their use and history. There were also displays of china and lovely portraits of First Ladies.

Everybody teased them about that nytraveler!

Just below is the link to the HGTV special about it (commercials and all--sorry). I was interested in the number of volunteers it took and they did get it done in 3 days!

http://www.hgtv.com/video/2011-white...deo/index.html

The theme is Shine, Give, Share and honors our military. The family dog ("Beau"?) is also depicted in each major area.

In our first section, a landing, was with the gold star tree. Service families of the fallen decorated this one. One could write messages on the tree's gold stars. Next to it was a table with post cards. Messages to our service people could be written on those.

We then walked along the East Colonnade. It had garlands on the right over the doors and wreathes and white paper poinsettia cut-outs on the left in front of the windows. See the HGTV thing as I'm forgetting where this was but in the next area green paper trees with paper garlands underwhelmed me. The same artist did the white poinsettias and they were quite nice.

We passed green, red and a dining room I think. They were all pretty and the trees nice. Then it was up a staircase to get to the East Room. My asthma was a little up and I asked if there was an elevator. A White House policeman took be through several rooms filled with excess furniture and supplies, then we took a right and went by the kitchen (I was excited about that).

There were people all over the place. And it wasn't a huge space either. Some folks obviously cooking, some pushing carts with food stuffs. We passed a 5-foot tall cart of trays with some good looking roasts on them. I asked the policeman if he could get one in his jacket and he did laugh but was otherwise very serious that I stay right with him.

Up the elevator and he removed the rope barricades through 2 rooms so I could catch up in the East room. It too was filled with pretty trees. Most of the decorations so far were pretty but not glitzy.

The Blue Room was the most interesting to me base upon the theme. The huge tree was covered with framed medals of honor from each arm of the military. Also were hand-made paper ornaments that were letters from the children of service people to their parents. It was very touching.

We ended up in a reception area where a chorus from UNC Ashville NC was singing. It was a nice touch.

We were told we could bring telephones with cameras but were not to take photos. So most folks left them on the bus. As mentioned above, we were very annoyed to see a sign that photos WERE allowed once we did get in. Since we are an arts group, there were several photographers who were bitterly disappointed.

Again, I think the HGTV show made my visit more interesting. There are also shows about White House decorations from previous years at that site. I didn't think to ask (because I was still asleep!) if non-natives can visit. Anyone know?

If you are planning a WH tour, look into it well in advance. Since Maryland is nearby, I expect there are more requests than from other states but still, don't tarry. Don't try to bring in something not OK'd-it will be confiscated. No place to check-in anything. Also, there are no public bathrooms so get that business taken care of before you go in!

Happy Holidays and thanks to all of you who have put your life on the line for the U.S.A.

TDudette

PS-I forgot to say how pretty the gingerbread White House is. Too far away to peak into the windows though.