WASHINGTON - There were long lines on Capitol Hill Monday, as people arrived at House and Senate offices to pick up the much-coveted tickets to Obama's swearing-in ceremony.

The pure joy of receiving tickets is a special moment for many inauguration attendees. "I worked very hard for these tickets... I got six of them," said Yogi Walker, a Texas resident.

Walker, like the thousands who stood in line for their inaugural tickets, said waiting hours to witness history is part of the experience of a lifetime.

"I had a sense that it would be somewhat like this," said Nathan Huerter. "But it's bigger than I ever expected."

One line even had the feel of a street party, but the real celebration came when the tickets were in hand.

The Potts family from Orlando, Fla. is literally mapping out every move they have made on this journey. Using the GPS in his phone, Fred Potts set up a Web page so anyone can see the family's minute-by-minute progress, including standing in line for their tickets.

"Right now, they can see exactly where we are within 60 feet," Fred Potts said.

His teenage daughters said they will do their best to describe an event that is difficult to put into words. "They can be here with us without actually being here," said 16-year-old Kristina Potts. "We have pictures and stuff like that -- it's a connection we have with people all across the country."

"I know it's going to be all worth the waiting when I get there and I get to see him and just to see the beauty of the moment," said 14-year-old Jazmine Potts.

 Email To Friend