Two weekends each year the White House invites the public to see the gardens. Tickets are needed and are free available on the day of on a first-come, first-serve basis. I was fortunate to be off work this past weekend. I woke up early and was lined up at the Ellipse Visitor Pavilion by 8 a.m. There were already a lot of people waiting but when the ticket booth opened at 9 a.m the line moved very quickly and I received a ticket with a 10 a.m entry-stamp, the earliest possible entry. Score! Security was not bad and soon I was on a self-guided leisurely tour exploring the South Lawn.
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| Truman Balcony |
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| Persian Parrotia |
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| Malia & Sasha’s playground set |
These stunning historic grounds include a putting green, a playground, a tennis/basketball court, the Kitchen Garden planted by Mrs. Obama in 2009, the Rose Garden which is just outside the West Wing and is where the President often officially greets foreign Heads of State, and several presidential trees including a magnificent magnolia planted by Andrew Jackson in 1830. We did not have access to the Children’s Garden but we did see the Obama children’s playground which was swarming with carpenter bees.
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| The Rose Garden |
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| Flowering Wisteria vines hang from the South Portico of the White House |
I loved the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden established in 1965. I could imagine myself lounging here on a beautiful day or having a lovely tea party or brunch. The wisteria cascading down the steps of the South Portico also caught my attention. Not surprisingly, I liked all the raised beds in the Kitchen Garden. One bed is named for Thomas Jefferson as the plants here are from heirloom seeds descendant of those he planted at his home in Monticello.
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| Jacqueline Kennedy Garden |
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| Beehive! |
Bonus points were for being able to see the White House up close, having great views of the Washington Monument, and enjoying one of the loveliest Saturday mornings this year to date – weather-wise – listening to a live Marine band while strolling through the gardens.
A lover of mangoes. A woman - smart, without pretense, lefthanded, Afropolitan - navigating this thing called life. An unapologetic believer in social justice and karma. Choosing to radiate positive energy and be true to myself. Here, my musings.
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