President Obama and Motorcade Leaving Grove Park Inn in Asheville

Bye bye Mr. President. I hardly got know you. POTUS Obama and posse left just in time for him to deliver a eulogy at the memorial service for the 29 men that died in the coal mining accident earlier this month in West Virginia.

Those drivers really put the “motor” in motorcade. Hammer down through my neighborhood. My house is just a few doors down from this intersection. Once they started closing streets everyone figured they were about to depart. It turned into a regular block party. My (favorite) neighbor, who will remain nameless walked back to her house and mixed up some mimosas for the adults and lemonade for kiddos. Here’s to you President Obama. Don’t be a stranger.

P.S. Thumbs up for the Asheville Police Department, at least the guys at this intersection. They were, very, serious when it was called for, but the rest of the time they were chatting with the crowd and giving out various APD trinkets to the all the kids.

President Obama Shaking Hands, Grove Park Inn Golf Course, Asheville

My daughter caught this on the Flip cam. Jump to the end to see President Obama tee off, then speak to us as he drove by. This is the golf course at Grove Park Inn. The tee is right by our back yard. We get to hear people yell “fore” and less polite things all day.

Then Paris walked down a few houses to catch him again. Unfortunately, that’s when he decided to walk back to our group and shake hands with everybody. So Mars and I got the introduction and handshake, but no video. Paris gets a handshake in the video below, but only her hand is on camera. ;) Fun day.

President Obama Drives Through My Neighborhood

In the video above our house is just beyond the trees on the golf course. This is a roundabout path to the Grove Park Inn.

The Obamas enjoy some fine dining at 12 Bones just down the street from my office downtown. I love how after he orders The President says “you’ll call our number or something?”

If I’d hung around the house a little later today I would have gotten to see the motorcade go down my street.

Around 6 PM tonight four patrol cars parked in front of my office building with their lights flashing. Our balcony overlooks Pritchard Park. I was SURE the boss was going to come check out the regular Friday night drum circle. I would have had a perfect view from the balcony, but alas, they eventually got back in their cars and drove off. Change of plans I guess.

My neighbor down the street, very nice home, has a large sign on their picket fence: “We weeded our garden for the Obamas. Welcome to Grove Park.” I’ll mow my grass tomorrow.