Updated, 12:55 pm, Saturday, August 9.
The President has arrived with his wife, Michelle Obama, and daughter Malia. The motorcade that will accompany them to their vacation home on Prospect Hill in Chilmark has 21 vehicles, including two press vans, an ambulance and State Police vehicles and one Osprey helicopter carrying about a dozen security people wearing bullet proof vests. Marine One and Marine Two were also present.
According to pool reports, by 12:50 the first family was on their way up-Island to Chilmark.
Posted 12:30 pm, Saturday, August 9.
At 11:24 am on Saturday, President Obama’s family vacation began when Air Force One rolled off down the runway at Andrews Air Force Base, bound for Otis Air Force Base on Cape Cod, according to White House Press Pool reporter Colleen Nelson of the Wall Street Journal.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama boarded and joined The First Dogs, Sunny and Bo, who had boarded earlier, and will be enjoying the Martha’s Vineyard vacation along with the First Family.
A gorgeous day awaits the family on Martha’s Vineyard. At midday, the temperature was 78 degrees and sunny, with low humidity. The next few days look to be much of the same, with no prospect of rain until Wednesday, August 13. The Island at this time of year is full of things to do: Book signings (Hillary Clinton at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore on Wednesday, August 13), the Islanders Write Event on Monday the 11th at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, Farmers Markets, Artisans Fairs, The Moth Event…There’s even a lot of opportunity to do nothing, or barely: Great Island Walks (Islanders’ favorite walks, here), bike rides (Local favorites here), fishing, golf and reading (Local Writers favorite books, and their latest published books).
After landing at Otis, the First Family and dogs boarded Marine One for the helicopter flight to Martha’s Vineyard. Expected arrival is about 12:45 PM. Waiting to greet them are about eight pool reporters and photographers, including MVTimes Photo Editor Michael Cummo.
Times staff reporter Steve Myrick has written about how the pool works, here.
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