I parked at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry building for my appointment with the allergy clinic this afternoon. The 'dental lot', as the parking lot is known as, is located about a quarter of a mile north of The University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics where I was heading.
As I was walking up the hill and approached the intersection for the main entrance of the hospital, several police vehicles began to block off the intersection; traffic was forced to a stand still. I looked south down Hawkins Drive towards Melrose Avenue and saw Iowa State Troopers blocking that intersection as well.
Standing on the east side of the street facing Kinnick Stadium, I realized he was still in town.
Game on, I thought.
The officer from the cruiser in front of me, which was blocking people from leaving the hospital, moved towards me and two young ladies and asked us to step back as the sidewalk was closed.
I didn't argue. For one thing, it definitely was not the time to argue with anyone with a gun: the President of the United States was coming. Also, it was kind of exciting. This just doesn't happen all that often in Iowa City, Iowa!
The two young ladies didn't realize what was happening, so I struck up a conversation. I discovered the the two young ladies were down from the University of Northern Iowa and had attended the President's speech at the Fieldhouse celebrating the passage of our country's newest social program: Health Care Reform.
Several more individuals approached the intersection and as we tried to advise them not to attempt to cross just yet, they kept walking and were quickly turned around by a very stern officer.
Most of us just talked among ourselves, making the most of a cool sunny spring afternoon. For the most part, no one felt too put off by the big to-do, except two older ladies heading home from work.
And then it happened.
The five officers in the vicinity all grabbed their little radio mics on their shoulders for a second, stood a little taller and surveyed the area with a heightened sense of urgency.
Moments later, the Presidential motorcade turned north off Melrose on to Hawkins heading our way. We all bunched together, inching closer to the street; every inch meant a better chance of seeing him. There he was, President Obama,sitting in the back seat on the right side of the second limo passing by giving a small wave at our little group. We all waved back, of course, at the President.
A quick wave, a fleeting moment, and he was gone.
The rest of the motorcade that followed was huge. Enjoying this unique moment of my crazy-ass life, I didn't count all the vans and suburbans; but I would venture to say around fifteen. All the vehicles were domestic models and many FlexFuel vehicles. Loaded with Secret Service, staff and other support staff, they passed by at a steady pace.
One of the last vehicles was a black Ice Cream looking truck with heavily tinted windows and various antenna's and what not on the roof; mobile command I assume. Impressive.
And then they were all gone.
I hadn't planned to be in that location at that moment; I just wanted to make sure I found parking close enough to make my appointment in time. It was yet another experience that reminds me how fantastic life can be when you just let it happen.
I understand there are those who do not like President Obama and those who oppose the health care reform. However, whether you like/dislike P. BO, it was a rather enjoyable, unique experience to be literally 25 feet from the President of the United States!
No comments:
Post a Comment