So far, so good

Mackenzie Carpenter

Your Early Returns poster is currently trudging along H Street in downtown Washington with about 300 gazzillion other people, all of whom are trying to find an entrance to the National Mall.

I found getting down here relatively easy from Georgetown early this morning. While there were reports of huge crowds on the Washington Metro, I encountered trains with empty seats on them, perhaps because it was relatively late on this inauguration morning, 7:30 a.m. Actually, walking along Washington's wide boulevards this morning is like being part of a huge rolling party. People are bundled up warmly, smiling and laughing, undeterred by the cold and various roadblocks encountered along the way.

Gourmets will not feel hungry along this route, there are handmade chocolates for sale from Gifford's, a local washington institution, grilled thai chicken, organic tea--Honest Tea, reportedly Barack Obama's favorite beverage -- and your choice of coffee, cappuccino or lattes. Now I have arrived at a barricade at historic Lafeytte Square where a crowd has gathered near St. John's Church where the president-elect is reportedly inside. More later.