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"Are the flowers real?" I reluctantly asked the docent in the Blue Room of the White House, upon observing perfectly arranged American Beauty roses in a white bowl.

"Yes, ma'am, they are picked fresh every day," was the answer.

Confirming my assumption, I moved on to the Red Room and gradually to the State Dining Room to admire the beauty before me.

It was last month, when 39 of us from New Mexico had the privilege of visiting the president's home, thanks to Sen. Pete Domenici, who arranged for us to be there.

Until that rainy day, we'd had perfect 70-degree and 80-degree weather during our trip back East. We had to hike several long blocks back to our bus without umbrellas. Because of the tight White House security, we could carry only our IDs and car keys.

Our 12-day Sun Tours Historic East trip began in Philadelphia with a visit to Independence Hall, Ben Franklin's Court and the Liberty Bell. The next day it was Valley Forge, where we learned about the horrific winter George Washington and his troops spent there.

We observed the life of the Amish in Lancaster County and filled up on a real stick-to-the-ribs luncheon of fried chicken, potatoes and gravy, corn, beans, shoo-fly pie and much more. A book I had been reading became real when I saw the conservatively dressed people working and driving horse-drawn buggies. Growing up on the rez in the 1930s without electricity and appliances, I could truly relate to their simple way of life.

In Washington, D.C., we made solemn tributes at the memorials of the different armed services. At Arlington National Cemetery, we saw a most impressive and moving ritual, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

I opted to spend our free day at the National Museum of the American Indian. The Kasota limestone structure with rounded edges is the 18th of the Smithsonian's museums. Here stands a monument that states we American Indians have survived extermination, discrimination and relocation. Here is a place that shows what we are about as descendants of the first Americans, and every American Indian should be proud of the exhibits displayed in this museum.

The Skyline Drive through the awesome Shenandoah National Park was a time to explore the Appalachian Trail, observing deer, flowers of many varieties and the inspiring vistas from the famed Blue Ridge Mountains. The fall foliage colors of red, gold, orange and purple were majestic in the grandeur of the wilderness. Some of roads and park facilities built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps are still in use.

Monticello, designed by Thomas Jefferson in a unique way to relate it to nature by incorporating open-air spaces — like many houses of today — must have been a great place to live in the late 1700s. Skylights, a wine cellar, specially designed furniture, an elegant parlor and works of art added sophistication to the home.

I liked Ike and Mamie Eisenhower's Gettysburg home and farm because of its friendly atmosphere. George Washington's Mount Vernon estate was lovely, with a view of the Potomac River.

One could spend a month in Colonial Williamsburg, beginning with the Royal Governor's Palace and riding the red- and blue-line buses to participate in events of the 1700s on the 301-acre living-history museum with shops, demonstrations, plays and art displays.

Having visited Jamestown and learned where the colonies began, I can now imagine Chief Powhatan speaking to Captain John Smith in 1708: "For many to inform me your crossing is not for trade but to invade my people and possess my country, to cheer us of this fear, leave aboard your weapons. For here they are needless. We bring friendship."

There is much more to this adventure, but space is limited.

Thanks to Sun Tours for this marvelous trip and also to Clay Benard our fabulous tour director. To all who were with me, I thoroughly enjoyed your company.