At lunch time, we were then taken to the Naval Mess Hall which is in the basement of the West Wing. That is considered the Presidential dining room run by the Navy. It seats about 50 people at square tables with table cloths and White House china. Eating at this establishment is by invitation only and you must present identification and be verified as being on the list to receive entry. Both Bette and I were impressed with the menu and the presentation of this dining hall and flattered that the Bidens had extended an invitation for us to have lunch in this place.

After lunch we returned to our rooms to prepare for our journey to Camp David. Our additional clothing for outdoor activities arrived and I remember being particularly pleased with what I received. Once my luggage was packed, the steward came to retrieve it and load it onto Marine One. Helena had informed us that we would be boarded onto Marine One via the entrance on the opposite side of where the press was camped waiting to get photos of the President. We would then be seated and have to wait for the President and the First Lady to board. That could take some time, as the President does not always run precisely on schedule. I was truly excited to be traveling by Marine One.  Bette told me confidentially that she was terrified. So, in order to comfort her once we were seated, I grabbed her hand and held it to assure her that we were all fine. She seemed to be grateful that I did so.

The entire trip took only about 15 minutes. The world below us was covered with snow.  The road appeared to be clear but had lighter than usual traffic according to Helena. We arrive at Camp David at about 2:45 in the afternoon.  The luggage was unloaded and taken to the main Presidential Cabin. Helena led the way and showed Bette and I to our bedrooms which was on the front side of cabin. The cabin seemed to be a large ranch style home which had four bedrooms plus a large office and bedroom for the President. There was a large living room with a huge fire place several sofas and a series big screen television sets. Should a major televised event occur, this place was ready to follow the developing events. There was a dining area with a table which would seat about 12 people, and a large kitchen on the west side of building. There was a basement which housed the service staff and the Secret Service detail.  Camp David is composed of as many as 6 or 8 residential cabins with features to meet the basic needs of its occupants. Helena and Mark were staying in another cabin.  I later learned that the fellow who carried the “football” and a Naval Medical Officer from Walter Reed Hospital were also housed in the same cabin. These were just the normal entourage which accompanied the President when he went to Camp David. I later found that there were various members of the White House staff in other cabins on the campus. I also found that there was as much housing structure underground as there was above ground. That is where they housed the unit of Marines who provided perimeter security on a twenty-four-hour basis. They obviously work in shifts which meant that some were resting while others were on duty. This obviously was not the normal weekend getaway that most people would imagine. This was a miniature White House in a more rustic setting.