CBS News’ Mark Knoller and the rest of the White House press pool are kept at what seems to be a good distance from the president most of the time, but Knoller makes use of the space to deliver some witty observations from the sidelines. An iPod loaded with the president’s speeches probably would have been greatly appreciated for catching up on sleep during the long flight back to China, but for some reason President Xi found himself lugging home a bench.

Bench presented as gift to Pres Xi by Pres Obama at Sunnylands estate.(TV Pool photo by @Stacey_Klein, NBC) pic.twitter.com/1sZTehvsFa — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 8, 2013

@markknoller but patio furn hard to put in overhead compartment — Ed Tobias (@DIT_DAH) June 8, 2013

@DIT_DAH You'd think it's hard to stow a bench in the overhead, but I've done it pleny of times. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 8, 2013

Re-gift MT @markknoller: Bench presented as gift to Pres Xi by Pres Obama at Sunnylands estate.(via @Stacey_Klei) pic.twitter.com/uehNfNlrPr — SquarestDownOurWay (@Sq_stDownOurWay) June 8, 2013

@MStevensG8r Can't re-gift the bench, unless you sand off the inscription. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 8, 2013

But seriously, why a bench? It was probably tough to find a last-minute gift that wasn’t made in China.

As for bench Pres Obama gave to Pres Xi: custom-designed, made of California Redwood, inscribed w/ dates of Xi visit in English & Mandarin. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 9, 2013

Donilon says Pres Xi took bench with him. Kind of big for the overhead compartment. Might look nice in front of Forbidden City Hall. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 9, 2013

With that bit of foreign diplomacy out of the way, there was still time to hit the links.

Summit is over. Pres Xi has left Sunnylands. No comments from either Pres Obama or Xi Jinping. We get a briefing shortly. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) June 8, 2013