President George W Bush welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to his Texas ranch in a light rain that he described as a good omen for the visit. ``The President brought rain for which we are always grateful in the state of Texas,`` Bush shouted to reporters from behind the wheel of his white Ford pickup truck with Putin at his side.
Putin and his wife, Lyudmila, arrived at the ranch aboard a Presidential marine one helicopter. Bush and his wife, Laura, greeted them at the helicopter then all four climbed into the pickup, which had two rows of seats. ``I still know how to drive,`` said Bush, who is more accustomed to being driven around in a limousine.
He planned to show Putin some sights on his ranch.
``We`re going to take a tour. I want to show him some of my favorite spots on the ranch,`` Bush said.
Bureau Report