Obama takes final inauguration day walk

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama drew wild applause Monday when they walked along the parade route from the U.S. Capitol to the White House.

Twice they walked the streets and twice the crowds erupted into cheers and waved American flags wildly. Parade-goers jumped up and down, took pictures with their phones and tablets and hoisted small children into the air as the Obamas waved, pointed to the crowd and clapped.

Obama's final inaugural day walk was in front of the White House and the reviewing stand.

Vice President Joe Biden broke away from the stroll with his wife, Jill, to shake hands with some of the parade-watchers several times as they went to the reviewing stand as Secret Service men sprinted behind him.

Fife-and-bugle corps, marching bands floats and animals wowed the parade-watchers who lined both sides of Pennsylvania Avenue for 1 1/2 miles as they waited for the first couple to emerge from their limousine and walk a couple of blocks en route to their reviewing stand.

While waiting for the parade to start, one side of watchers chanted "Barack" and the other side responded "Obama."

Before he began traveling down Pennsylvania Avenue, Obama reviewed the troops.

As the limousine advanced to the reviewing stand where his family waited and an announcer announced Obama's approach, the crowd roared and did the wave.