Life in DC - the presidential motorcade appears

[Cirrus]

Anyone who spends a lot of time in downtown DC will eventually, inevitably, see some big motorcades. Biden's is the most common, as it drives him from the Vice President's residence to the White House so frequently. Obama's is somewhat less common, but also much more of a big deal, because when the president comes by the police close the street.

I've seen a lot of presidential motorcades in my time here. They're just a fact of life. But this morning I happened to have my phone out, and was able to snap a couple of pictures.

Here they are.

Connecticut Avenue, closed in anticipation of the motorcade.



Here it comes.





You can never know for sure which car he is in, which is part of the point. Could have been this one.



Annnnd, that's all.

[NYNJ]

Saw him in NYC during the summer of 2010. Ironically, I worked in fundraising for Mitt Romney at the time. I was going up the block to pick up lunch from my Columbus Circle office and all of the sudden the street closed and no one was allowed to cross so I had to wait on 65th street until he passed. Actually could make out his face as he was waiving to everyone. First President I've ever seen in person. Who knows though, come January 20th, 2013 I might be able to say I know the new President.

[202_Cyclist]

The photos are only half of it-- too bad you're not able to capture the rumble and roar of all the vehicles as the presidential motorcade passes.

I used to wait for the bus at Massachusetts and Observatory. I would like nothing more for the Secret Service to drive out of the Observatory, followed by Joe Biden riding one of the Capital Bikeshare bicycles one day.

[brickell]

Last trip up there, my room overlooked the Mall area. Watching the helicopter ballet was pretty impressive too.

I've always wondered how this affects actual business and development in the DC area. Considering how well it's doing, it doesn't seem to be doing much harm.

[jg6544]

They used just to make traffic pull over to the side while the motorcade passed. Much less intrusive. When President Obama comes to LA, he flies into LAX and then takes a helicopter to the Veterans' Center, about 5 miles north; the motorcade goes from there to wherever he's headed. The security people insist on shutting down the motorcade route and alternative routes for an hour or so ahead of time. That does NOT play well in L.A., as you might imagine.

[Expat]

Originally Posted by brickell

Last trip up there, my room overlooked the Mall area. Watching the helicopter ballet was pretty impressive too.

I've always wondered how this affects actual business and development in the DC area. Considering how well it's doing, it doesn't seem to be doing much harm.

I worked in downtown DC for many years and saw motorcades almost on a daily basis. I would say that it has absolutely no effect on business or development. It happens fast & is organized perfectly. Everyone stops for a minute and then go on about their business. Honestly, I always enjoyed the motorcades. It is a reminder that DC is no ordinary city.

[Ex-Ithacan]

^ I totally agree. Just another part of life in downtown DC. However there was one time when I had a bit of a jaw dropper. I was heading down 7th street and got stopped at F street. I looked to my left an saw a "train" of elephants heading toward me. They were being escorted to the train after performing for the circus at the then MCI center. Wouldn't ya know I didn't have a camera with me that day. Of course there weren't any black SUVs with the elephant parade.

[novaCJ]

I have never seen a presidential motorcade, although others(i'm assuming vice-presidential) motorcades are fairly common, having been in the car behind them on Connecticut Avenue more than once.