On Sunday, Jake and I thought it would be nice to invite our friends Kacey and Doug to visit the West Wing of the White House with us. See one of the (few) perks about Jake's high stress, long hours job is that we can take a tour of the White House pretty much anytime! It was also why we were able to do Fourth of July on the White House Lawn last year, and able to wander through the East Wing of the White House at Christmas time.
So we had planned this whole day out where we would meet for lunch in D.C. and then head over to the White House for the tour. Of course, nothing is that easy.
Problem #1: The night before, Kacey was concerned that she hadn't had her license changed since she was married to have her new name. The White House asks for a photo id when you walk up to security that matches your name on the card.
Problem #2: Right before we are about to leave to meet Kacey and Doug, Jake calls to tell me he can't find his White House security badge.
We should have taken the hint. The world did not want us to see the White House yesterday, but, as you may know, I don't give up very easily.
Problem #1: The night before, Kacey was concerned that she hadn't had her license changed since she was married to have her new name. The White House asks for a photo id when you walk up to security that matches your name on the card.
Problem #2: Right before we are about to leave to meet Kacey and Doug, Jake calls to tell me he can't find his White House security badge.
We should have taken the hint. The world did not want us to see the White House yesterday, but, as you may know, I don't give up very easily.
So we headed down to D.C. anyway, clinging to hope that we would be able to smile our way onto the White House lawn. Before heading over we stopped at this great spanish restaurant called, Taberna Del Alabardero. It was a very swanky (and normally expensive) place, but thanks to Restaurant Week, we were able to afford lunch. The food was awesome, including our desserts! Mine is pictured above looking like a piece of art!
After lunch, we started discussing the odds of us getting into the White House. Kacey was literally carrying every document she had to show she actually was who she said she was and Jake was praying they would be able to look up his security clearance on the computer. Once at the checkpoint, we handed over all our materials, told our sad story with puppy dog eyes to the guard who seemed less than interested in our problems, and more interested in the fact that he could not find Jake's reservation.
Silence.
No reservation? We have a confirmation email! Still won't let us in? Ok, thanks anyway...
I asked the group what would happen if we just jumped the gate and made a run for it, and they assured me one way or another we would all be in lots of pain.
After lunch, we started discussing the odds of us getting into the White House. Kacey was literally carrying every document she had to show she actually was who she said she was and Jake was praying they would be able to look up his security clearance on the computer. Once at the checkpoint, we handed over all our materials, told our sad story with puppy dog eyes to the guard who seemed less than interested in our problems, and more interested in the fact that he could not find Jake's reservation.
Silence.
No reservation? We have a confirmation email! Still won't let us in? Ok, thanks anyway...
I asked the group what would happen if we just jumped the gate and made a run for it, and they assured me one way or another we would all be in lots of pain.
Well one thing I had been determined to do when we went was get my White House passport stamp. I had already been to the White House, twice, and felt that I at least earned something to show for our efforts. Jake also needed to get his first passport stamp! It was a proud moment, until I saw what it looked like.. No it is not a blurry photo, it is a blurry stamp. I chalk it up to first stamp excitement. Understandable.
After visiting the White House....visitors center.... we saw that there was another stamp prospect just a few blocks away at the Old Post Office Tower. It was actually a pretty impressive building! One of the first federal buildings to be built on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1899. It now houses shops and a food court, that seem a little out of place, but the best part is the tower itself. You are able to ride in what looks like Willy Wonka's elevator to the top of the tower for a pretty awesome view of the city.
After visiting the White House....visitors center.... we saw that there was another stamp prospect just a few blocks away at the Old Post Office Tower. It was actually a pretty impressive building! One of the first federal buildings to be built on Pennsylvania Avenue in 1899. It now houses shops and a food court, that seem a little out of place, but the best part is the tower itself. You are able to ride in what looks like Willy Wonka's elevator to the top of the tower for a pretty awesome view of the city.
See, this is why I love passport stamps! They took what was a totally screwed up day and turned it into something salvageable, and we got to do something we had never done before in D.C.!
We promise Kacey and Doug that we will get into the West Wing, with Id's and reservations in hand!
We promise Kacey and Doug that we will get into the West Wing, with Id's and reservations in hand!