Hi Gabz...we had 106,000 in California alone. DC was MUCH MUCH higher. I'd like to know a REAL count, too...
In Washington, probably 2x or more were viewing, as they had two entry lines open. CNN reported one estimate of 10,000 per hour. FoxNews had said yesterday, 5,000 per hour.
Had the return to California been by train, literally millions would have lined the tracks across the country.
Hi Gramma.........
It's been a heck of a week.
Hubby and I went out for a while this afternoon and I lost it totally while sitting at the bar playing trivia.....As Mrs. Reagan reached the door of the plane and turned to wave, CBS had a picture in the upper left hand corner of Her and President Reagan doing it on the last time they got on board Air Force One.
Fox News reported that just under 105,000 paid their respects in the Rotunda (104,684, IIRC).
See my post at the end of this thing - which I put up a few minutes ago - so I don't know the post #. Sorry.
But to repeat - it was estimate that between 5000 and 8000 were going through an hour, times 36 hours.
One of the things that started slowing down the procession was that fols started hanging around at 22 past the hour, or 52 past the hour, to wait for the changing of the Guard.
IF they had stopped that little manuever, the rates would have been ever higher. But when you have 200 people, blocking any others from coming in - well, the line stops dead. They started doing this about 11 AM Thursday - and unfortunately, it wasn't until about 10 hours later, when some experienced Marines came in the Rotunda, and started processing people through, whether it was change of Guard or not.
But for this, the numbers would have been even higher.
They also imporved the queueing - changing it from one circle to two concentric circles, but not having everyone make a complete circle.
After they did this, folks went through a half circle, then were to make a "U" turn, and go out the side door they had passed within the staunchions. This, too, sped up the viewing numbers.
I believe the 8000 per hours, as for grins and giggles, I counted the number in a 10 minute span of time, several times. One time I counted 1500 people, another 1600 people and another time (standing to watch the Changing of the Guard lowered the numbers) 1000. So you takes your pick!
TNT