At 4 in the morning crowds of people were descending on the Capitol to get in line at their assigned gates for the inauguration. The end result were groups of people standing in line for hours at a time, and entering the Capitol lawn, only to find that the premium seating and standing room was taken.  Some resorted to climbing trees to get a better view.

Tim Tarvin, 47, of Ohio, watches the inaugural festivities Tuesday, Jan. 20, from a tree in the Capitol lawn. Photo: Rashah McChesney/Iowa State Daily

Others played in trees while their parents watched the ceremony.

Akira Jamel Garner, 9, of Tulsa, Okla., and Jeremiah Carrington-Davis, 7, of Carry, N.C., sit together in a tree Tuesday, Jan. 20, in the Capitol lawn while their parents watch the inauguration.  Photo: Rashah McChesney/Iowa State Daily

Still others found more unconventional places to sit on.

Many revelers climbed to the top of any available surface to catch a glimpse of the ceremonies.  These particular ones were forced to dismount after a few minutes.  Photo: Rashah McChesney/Iowa State Daily