Living in DC and having friends who work in politics sometimes has perks. Last weekend was definitely a perk! I had a friend invite me at the last minute to tour the White House gardens. And they are lovely in spring.
It's a tradition for White House to open the gardens to the public twice a year - once in the spring and once in the fall. I was able to go thanks to the kindness of a friend, but if you know the day of the tour you can get tickets at the Ellipse Pavilion. I know many people were able to get tickets on the day of the event.
As you enter the grounds, you're given a program with certain trees marked. I was amazed with the number of ceremonial trees planted on the grounds. One of the first trees we 
passed was planted by Ronald Reagan with Queen Elizabeth II, which really caught my fancy. They have a plaque with a picture taken at the time of the planting perched in front of the tree.
It was a self-guided/walk at your own pace tour. We first meandered by the Jacqueline Kennedy garden with a combination of pergola/arbor (lattice at the top and sides) that held a lovely seating area. Tucked into one of the tables there, was a beautiful arrangement of roses - probably done 
by the White House florist (I'll tell you about meeting the florist one day).
We then were able to take photos at the South entrance, which has an incredible view of the Jefferson and Washington monuments beyond the fountain on the Ellipse -
another spectacular photo op! Then came the Rose Garden, the Oval Office windows and the new playground for the first children. Here they displayed photos of the Beer summit (of course) held underneath the historic magnolia trees, the Kennedy children riding a pony outside the 
putting green, and some Rose Garden ceremonies, among other historic events that had
happened in this area. It's so surreal to be in the same space and to place some of these events you'd seen on television in your lifetime.
Next, after a display of ceremonial shovels (yes, I took a picture of shovels), we were able to see what's called the Children's Garden - the garden that contains the hand prints of many of the children and grandchildren of past 
Presidents. We lined up to see the new vegetable garden (it's already got plants growing!) and listen to the Marine Corps band before we headed out a back gate beside a gorgeous lilac tree. And I
would be remiss not to mention seeing the bee hive next to the vegetable garden. The friend who procured these tickets has something in common with me - our names have bee 
themes! Of course we had to take photos by the bee hives....If you get the opportunity to take the garden tour, I highly
recommend you do so. It was a wonderful opportunity to get closer to "the peoples' house" than is usually allowed. I learned quite a bit about the ceremonial trees and birds that frequent the grounds and it was fun to see 
the vegetable garden that's gotten national attention. And I am now in possession of a photo of me next to the Presidential bee hive! Who could ask for more?
P.S. Thanks to the volunteers, park service employees and secret service officers who helped make this such an enjoyable event so that "the people" can continue to enjoy visiting the grounds of the White House. I'm proud to have been a part of this long tradition!
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