Ruth Krotzer

Bundled in a long coat, scarf, gloves and hat, Ruth Krotzer spent two hours in biting cold Thursday, waiting for George W. Bush to be sworn in for his second term as president.
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"I'm a native Californian, not well-adapted for snow," said Krotzer, a Monterey resident and active Republican who joined hundreds of thousands of others in Washington to witness the nation's 55th presidential inauguration.

"I'm wind-burnt, but I would do it again -- in a heartbeat," Krotzer said a few hours after the swearing-in on the Capitol steps.She was still pumped up about the ceremony and all the inauguration hoopla.

"I'm a little tired, but excited," said Krotzer, traveling with Angie Morfin of Salinas, another loyal Republican attending her second inauguration.
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"The mood is elation and gratefulness and appreciation for prayers answered," Krotzer said.
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"I thanked many security people for being there," said Krotzer, a tour guide at Monterey State Historic Park."I was really glad they were doing their job."

Krotzer said she saw a few protesters, including a couple who were taken from her section in the crowd."They did get some snowballs thrown at them, and we booed them," she said.
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Krotzer said she was collecting autographs from Republican legislators and buying inaugural memorabilia for friends and family.

"I sent a beautiful inaugural T-shirt to my husband and a light stocking cap with the inaugural theme to my nephew, who is a big fan of President Bush," she said.

Krotzer said the educational tours will improve her knowledge base as a tour guide for the Monterey State Historic Park.
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Tonight the pair will go to the Hispanic Alliance for Progress -- Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's inaugural ball, Krotzer said.
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For that evening, they managed to get tickets to the California inaugural ball, Krotzer said.