President Obama arrives on Martha's Vineyard on August 6, 2016.
President Obama arrives at Martha's Vineyard Airport on Saturday.
Steve Myrick

President Obama Arrives on Martha's Vineyard

The First Family arrived Saturday for a two-week vacation. On Sunday and Monday the President hit the links at Farm Neck.

The First Family has arrived on Martha's Vineyard for a two-week vacation, their seventh and final summer visit during President Obama's time in office.

First Family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard scheduled to last until August 21.
Steve Myrick
First Family's vacation on Martha's Vineyard scheduled to last until August 21.
Steve Myrick

The vacation began with familiar patterns: Golf for the President and dinner out for Mr. Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

On Sunday and Monday the President hit the links at Farm Neck. On Sunday night, the Obamas ate out at Down Island, the trendy new eatery on Kennebec avenue in Oak Bluffs.

On Saturday Marine One touched down at the Martha's Vineyard Airport at 2:37 p.m. on a breezy, muggy day. The President and First Lady Michelle Obama stopped by to greet people gathered in a viewing area on the airport tarmac  while their daughters Malia and Sasha headed to the motorcade. About 10 minutes later the motorcade left the airport, traveling through West Tisbury to their rental home in Chilmark, where they would stay for the rest of the day.

Crowd gathered outside Martha's Vineyard Airport to catch a glimpse.
Mark Lovewell
Crowd gathered outside Martha's Vineyard Airport to catch a glimpse.
Mark Lovewell

There were small crowds of people at driveways and crossroads along Edgartown-West Tisbury Road,

About 60 people were gathered by the short term parking lot outside the airport, taking pictures and hoping for a glimpse of the activity. Children were perched on their parents' shoulders.

Before the arrival, the crowd perked up with each approaching plane and peered through a chain-link fence. Secret Service officers were seen driving by in a golf cart. A state police car and several black cars could be seen lining up near a large gray cargo plane on the tarmac.

"I feel like that's the last plane going out," one man observed as a plane prepared for takeoff.

Marine One and several other aircraft touched down just after 2:30 p.m.
Ray Ewing
Marine One and several other aircraft touched down just after 2:30 p.m.
Ray Ewing

Linda Thompson and Laurent Hubert, West Tisbury summer residents, said they came to see President's arrival for what could be his last visit as President, their first time watching the First Family's arrival.

Ms. Thompson sported white pants, a blue shirt, and a red hat: a coincidentally patriotic ensemble, she said.

As the crowd waited around 2:10 p.m., a helicopter circled overhead and some onlookers got impatient. "We'll give him three minutes," one woman said. Soon a flurry of helicopters and Osprey landed, and the crowd dispersed at around 2:40 p.m.

A short time earlier, Air Force One arrived just before 2 p.m. at Coast Guard Station Cape Cod, met by greeters including U.S. Rep. Bill Keating and Tobias Vanderhoop, chairman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). 

First Family disembarks from Air Force One at Joint Base Cape Cod.
Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times
First Family disembarks from Air Force One at Joint Base Cape Cod.
Steve Heaslip/Cape Cod Times

Mr. Keating, a Democrat who represents the 9th Congressional District, gave the President a Pro V golf ball made in New Bedford. "He said he'd use it for his best shot," Mr. Keating said.

The Obamas had left the White House at 12:40 p.m. to to board Marine One on the south lawn for the quick trip to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. There the family boarded Air Force One for the flight to Cape Cod and the Vineyard. Air Force One departed at 1:03 p.m.

Sisters Sasha and Malia, the President and Mrs. Obama were all aboard. The President was wearing slacks and a button-down shirt, and the First Lady wore a blue dress with red piping.

Joining the Obamas on the flight were Valerie Jarrett and Chynna Clayton.

The family dogs, Bo and Sunny, also made the trip to the Vineyard.

For the third straight year, the First Family will be staying at a family home owned by Joanne Hubschman off North Road in Chilmark.

The family has vacationed on the Vineyard every year during the Obama presidency, except 2012, when the President was in the middle of a re-election campaign.

According to the White House, there are no public events scheduled during the visit.

The Gazette's Presidential visit blog.

Heather Hamacek contributed reporting.

 

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 16:30

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jack conway sarasota fl

My grandchildren had many experiences when Bill Clinton was there I wish they could have seen Barack Obama also
Miss the island

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 18:22

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Mitch long Walnut creek ca

I Hope you and your beautiful family have the Best vacation ever..Play Lots of Golf as you Deserve it ..Thank You for Saving our country....

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 18:52

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Janice Hoover Miami Beach

SAVOR every moment with your precious family. Relax, renew and reflect on a job well done! You are loved! Xo

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 20:19

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Philip Hart Edgartown

Too bad Mr. President, Richard Taylor, Flash Wiley, Duane Jackson, and my other basketball buddies are over the hill. Otherwise we could resuscitate our annual Soul Cup basketball game at Edgartown School.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 22:23

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heidi boone tewksbury

Thank you, Mr. President, for all that you do to restore my faith in humanity. I hope that you and your family have a wonderful vacation on Martha's Vineyard. I am going to miss you beyond measure.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 22:46

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RuthCampbell West Tisbury

Welcome Obamas!
Have a great vacation!
Thanks for all you've done for our country, and the dignity you
And your family have brought back to the office. Those three
Wonderful Obama women have set a high standard.
The door's always open at MV.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 23:04

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Grace whinstorm Cape Cod

Sunny and bo? What a treat! To them we say: Ruff ruff ruff ruff arooooo!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 23:40

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Hallie coletta New city, NY

I dreamt about you and your family last night, Mr Obama. We were hanging out together as friends do. I felt honored to know you personally when I awoke I had such a feeling of sadness that your term as our president is almost over. You have brought such intelligence and dignity to the office. Thank you and God bless you.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 08/07/2016 - 09:59

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Bob Fargo Edgartown

Are these comments for real? What a bunch of nonsense! This man has done more to fracture and divide our country and its people than any other in our history. And, before you Obama loving sycophants pile on, no I don't like Bush and no I won't be voting for Trump.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 08/08/2016 - 07:37

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Bill Monroe West Tisbury

What the Obama's did for dinner or how well Potus played golf is not news. Watch the eye popping movie Clinton Cash for a revealing look into the life of the very deceptive Clinton's. Real news you will never forget. See it on Facebook or from their website and leave the Obama's alone to enjoy their last paid vacation on us

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