Jennifer has laid out a full schedule for us today: Tour of the White House East Wing, A Pentagon Tour, Tee Ball at the White House, and Bowling at the White House. The East Wing tour is in the morning so we got an early start.
The Metro is great. It goes to all the places that we need to go. It reminds me a lot of BART. I wonder if there is any relationship between the two.
We arrived at Jennifer's office where she took our bags to her office; we aren't allowed to have any bags on the tour. Jennifer took us on the tour of the East Wing after we checked in through security. The East Wing is the more formal and historical part of the White House. It is the original White House, where the West Wing was added later.
After the East Wing tour we returned to Jennifer's Office to get our bags. At Jennifer's office we met Major Middleton, who is going to give us the tour of the Pentagon. He leaves to go to the Pentagon while we get our bags from Jennifer. When we arrived at the Metro station we found Major Middleton waiting for the Metro as well.
The tour of the Pentagon is much less formal than the White House Tour. The Pentagon is really just a bunch of offices. There are a few art displays in the corridors. We chose a few that we wanted to see. We did learn a few fun things about the Pentagon.
The Pentagon is shaped the way it is because the original location was at the intersection of five roads, but they decided to move it because they thought it was going to block the view of the Potomac.
Contrary to popular TV shows, the ranking officials are on the outer ring. The outer ring has outside windows
During the Cold War, Russia thought that the building at the center of the Pentagon was a bunker. They were extremely disappointed to find out it was just a cafe.
After the Pentagon tour, it was time for lunch. Major Middleton recommended a few places. We settled on Heidi's Brooklyn Deli. Lunch was great. Fresh baked bread and good sandwiches.
By the time we finished lunch it was time for Tee Ball at the White House. While we are waiting for the games to begin, we met Brian and Jackson. Jackson is their 4 year old son. Their other son Hayden is 2.
President Bush has been sponsoring Tee Ball games on the White House South Lawn for some time. This time they are having the First Annual Tee Ball All-Star Game. There are 51 kids, one from each state and Washington DC. The games are hosted by Frank Robinson. Some other professional players as well as Hall of Famer's are the coaches. Mike and Mike are the announcers for the game. In between the two games, the Post Master General unveiled the new "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" stamp commemorating the centennial of the famous baseball song.
President Bush attended the games. Afterwards, each of the kids received a commemorative baseball and a picture with The President and Frank Robinson. What an opportunity for those kids!
Whew what a day, but we're not done yet.
Recently, the Truman Bowling Alley has been opened to White House Staff and their friends. We meet up with Jennifer who has already picked up a couple of pizzas and drinks. Jackson stays with us, but Brian has to leave to go home with Hayden.
The Truman Bowling Alley is in the basement of The Eisenhower Executive Office Building. This building is next door to the White House and used for White House staff. As a surprise birthday present, a two lane bowling alley was built in the basement for President Truman. Ever since, all of the presidents have been bowling there.
The seven of us had time to bowl two games, eat pizza and have some laughs. Sam decided to help Jackson with his bowling.
After bowling we went back to Jennifer's on the Metro.
More tours of DC tomorrow!
