President Bush, right, walks out with President-elect Barack Obama, left, on the North Portico of the White House before sharing the Presidential limousine enroute to Capitol Hill for the inauguration of the President-elect in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. [AP Photo]

George W. Bush, having finished a historic hand-over of U.S. presidency to his successor Barack Obama, boarded a helicopter on Tuesday at the Capitol in Washington, starting a journey home to Texas as a private citizen.

After watching over the inauguration of Obama, the greyer former president fulfilled his last duties as leader of a nation reeling from a crippled economy and two wars.

New President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, escorted their predecessors, Bush and his wife Laura, to the heliport and exchanged handshakes before they boarded the helicopter.

The Bushes will first stop at Andrews Air Force Base before flying to Midland, Texas, where Bush spent his early days as a child.

At the start of his inaugural address, Obama thanked Bush for his service to the country, as well as his efforts to secure a smooth transition of power.

"I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition," Obama said.

Bush began the day early, making calls to several top aides, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, and spending his final morning at the White House with his families.

Then he and Laura welcomed Obama and his family, along with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family, to the White House, offering a coffee break before traveling together to the Capitol Hill for the historic inauguration. The short trip marked the last time Bush left the White House as president.

Bush has left Obama a note in the top drawer of his desk in the Oval Office, wishing him well as his presidency begins, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said Tuesday.

"I won't provide any details, but the theme is similar to what he's said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best," Perino said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 20, 2009)