Obamas pursue the 'quiet side' of Maine park
Vacationers on Mount Desert Island Saturday try to catch a glimpse of the first family, or avoid the crowds.
By REBEKAH METZLER Kennebec Journal
BASS HARBOR - There are two types of vacationers on Mount Desert Island this weekend: those who want to see the Obamas and those who don't.
President Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, right, and daughters Malia and Sasha, center right, stand with Coast Guard Station Chief Tim Chase, left, as they visit Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Saturday.
AP
President Obama and his daughter Sasha lead the way as the first family walks toward the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Saturday. They’re followed by Bo, first lady Michelle Obama and older daughter Malia.
Charles Dharapak/The Associated Press
Additional Photos Below
Some of the former were deeply disappointed when a Hancock County sheriff, aided by a member of the Secret Service and a pair of park rangers, shooed them away from the entrance to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on Saturday afternoon.
The road was blocked in anticipation of a presidential visit just after 2 p.m., but pedestrians from the nearby campground were tipped off by the flashing lights of security vehicles and ventured over to snap photos.
President Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their two daughters -- 12-year-old Malia and 9-year-old Sasha -- have spent the weekend visiting Mount Desert Island.
On Saturday, their entourage crossed over to what's known locally as the "quiet side" of the 108-square-mile island. Mount Desert Island is split nearly in two by Somes Sound; one side is home to tourist mecca Bar Harbor and much of Acadia National Park. The other, home to the working fishing village of Southwest Harbor, national park campgrounds and the lighthouse at Bass Harbor, gets fewer visitors.
"We voted for him," shouted one disgruntled bystander who was kept back from the lighthouse entrance. Another said, "But I'm a Democrat!"
The 15 or so onlookers were told by Hancock County Sheriff Deputy Corey Bagley that they were obstructing traffic, even though they were standing behind the law enforcement-erected barrier.
"I'm disappointed," said Dorothy Jarvis of West Palm Beach, Fla. But she quickly added, "I didn't really expect to see him, anyway."
The Obamas left their hotel, the Bar Harbor Regency, about 10 a.m. and headed to the Bar Harbor Club, a private fitness and spa center. Later, they lunched at The Claremont Inn near Southwest Harbor at the mouth of Somes Sound. From there, the family traveled by motorcade to Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse.
They drove by several bystanders standing in private driveways along the road leading to the lighthouse about 2:20 p.m. Once there, the family explored the building, even taking a walk on the catwalk, which offers views of Blue Hill Bay.
The Obamas then hiked down to Ship Harbor Trail, a short walk mostly along the shore.
Although Jarvis and other onlookers were miffed at missing the show, others were not.
"We were cognizant of what they might be doing," said Cate Fitzgerald of Glens Falls, N.Y., who was sunning on the rocks between Thunder Hole and Otter Cliff on Saturday morning with her husband, Ed.
The pair said they were staying at the same hotel as the Obamas, but didn't know their visits were overlapping until a friend in Portland told them. Besides having to use a different parking lot than expected, the Fitzgeralds said they hadn't noticed much of a disruption. Nonetheless, they planned their daily activities based on where they thought the Obamas wouldn't be, they said.
"We heard they went to Cadillac (on Friday), so we decided to go up early today," Cate Fitzgerald said.
Ed Fitzgerald, a University of Maine graduate, said they had vacationed in Acadia several times, but this was a little different.
"We don't go back to the hotel as much," he said, adding that each time they returned, their car was subjected to a thorough search.
Other island visitors were pleased that news reports of the president's visit seemed to be keeping folks away.
Ivan Schwendt of Bangor, who was biking on a path near Jordan Pond House with his 12-year-old son, Adam, on Saturday, said they also had been unaware of the presidential visit.
He heard it on the radio as they were driving down for their day trip to Acadia.
"I almost turned around, because I thought it would be too crowded, but then I thought that everyone would do that," Schwendt said. "I'd love to meet them, but I'm happy there's nobody here."
Though the trails may have been bare, popular Sand Beach was overflowing with visitors. That may be why the Obamas avoided it despite temperatures in the high 80s.
The Obamas were scheduled to depart from Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton this morning.
Kevin Miller of the Bangor Daily News, representing Maine in the White House Press Pool, contributed to this report.
MaineToday Media State House Reporter Rebekah Metzler can be contacted at 620-7016 or at:
rmetzler@mainetoday.com
Were you interviewed for this story? If so, please fill out our accuracy form
Additional Photos
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Ed and Cate Fitzgerald of Glens Falls, N.Y., take in the view from the rocky coast at Acadia National Park on Saturday. The Fitzgeralds found out on the way to Maine that their trip to the park would coincide with the visit of President Obama and his family. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer |
 click image to enlarge
Crowds of camera-clicking onlookers gather to catch a glimpse and a photo of President Obama and his family as they leave a restaurant after dinner in Bar Harbor on Friday evening. Charles Dharapak/The Associated Press |
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29 COMMENTS
MaineMcQ6 said...
Hope the Obama family received a real taste of Maine hospitality and acceptance and are leaving encouraged and rejuvenated.
July 18, 2010 at 6:10 AM Report abuse
2B said...
Othe vacationers obstructing traffic? The only people obstructing traffic and preventing others from enjoying their vacations were the obamas. Maine is a vacation land to be enjoyed by all, not just four.
July 18, 2010 at 7:11 AM Report abuse
jack33 said...
Nonsense. A couple of days of congestion is a small price for Maine to pay, if the President actually got to see that Maine is a good place.
July 18, 2010 at 7:30 AM Report abuse
crackhead said...
I hope the President Odrama is having a great vacation while the rest of AMerica plunges into thrid world status. Hope and change . yes we can.
July 18, 2010 at 7:45 AM Report abuse
AXeL said...
Meanwhile, Obama is going into campaign mode. LET THE BLAMING BEGIN! Where's George Bush when you need him?
July 18, 2010 at 7:51 AM Report abuse
nikonwilly said...
His Vacation is ridiculously unimportant, why is it pretended to be so significant ?
July 18, 2010 at 8:17 AM Report abuse
Ripple said...
Bar Harbor, home of the rich and famous from away during the summer, is hardly a true representative of Maine. a backwoods tour away from this tourist trap would have exposed the impoverish living conditions many Mainers are struggling with due to years of economic turmoil brought on by a Democrats who have killed jobs and created a growing poulation dependent on welfare.
July 18, 2010 at 8:27 AM Report abuse
Scrib said...
Well, I was going to offer em my camp up above Rumford- just redid the outhouse last year. But somehow I knew the Secret Service wouldn't approve...
July 18, 2010 at 8:35 AM Report abuse
MSH said...
Another beautiful day for the President and his family to enjoy our magnificent state, which could only be improved by the spewing repugs moving out....
July 18, 2010 at 8:52 AM Report abuse
gowens said...
'Where's George Bush when you need him' ---------------------Clearing brush would be my guess, he can understand that task..
July 18, 2010 at 8:56 AM Report abuse
MainelyJack said...
Some vacation. Frenetic running around from one thing to another. And the dog gets his very own plane along with Obama's chief valet rather than travel with the family. How carbon concious. I'm sure this two day photo op didn't cost the tax payers more than a couple of million. Spending money with little benefit is what Obambi does best. Come to think of it,it is the only thing he manages to do well. The on the job training is taking much longer than expected. Class resumes tomorrow.
July 18, 2010 at 9:16 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
I think the quiet side is the best part of Mt. Desert Island. I hope the Obamas enjoyed the visit. And, Mainely Jack, cease using the lame comment about the first dog getting his own plane. He rode a plane with other members of the President's entourage. He did NOT get his own plane. Having watched the coming and going of Bush, when a president travels there is a large entourage that goes along, and why should it be any different for Obama?
July 18, 2010 at 10:19 AM Report abuse
DaveD said...
why isn't he vacationing with his crew down in some Gulf Coast resort? He could send his kids out to pick up tar balls while he and the first lady hand out $5,000 per month compensation checks to each and every person he meets.
July 18, 2010 at 10:19 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Nobama should have vacationed in the Gulf like he told the nation to do! Another way is inability as a leader shows! And he wonders why even the liberal media is turning away from him! Harris Poll dated June 2010 shows that 61% of Americans have a negative opinion how he’s doing his job and almost 30% of that number are democrats! Looks like the numbers of a one term wonder (wonder why they elected him in the first place)!!
July 18, 2010 at 10:40 AM Report abuse
middleone said...
The same poll that shows Obama going down in public opinion, also show that Americans support the Republicans even less. It is safe to say that voters don't like what either party is doing.
July 18, 2010 at 10:43 AM Report abuse
Mainedog said...
Nobama should have vacationed in the Gulf like he told the nation to do! Another way is inability as a leader shows! And he wonders why even the liberal media is turning away from him! Harris Poll dated June 2010 shows that 61% of Americans have a negative opinion how he’s doing his job and almost 30% of that number are democrats! Looks like the numbers of a one term wonder (wonder why they elected him in the first place)!!
July 18, 2010 at 10:44 AM Report abuse
null said...
Bush set the record for vacations, Obama takes one and all you republicans wine like a bunch of cry babeys. Get a life!!!
July 18, 2010 at 11:10 AM Report abuse
DaveD said...
middleone - the democrats have been in the majority for the house and senate for nearly 4 years.... barry hussein has been in for 1.5 years... when will you give up on the blaming of republicans...
July 18, 2010 at 11:18 AM Report abuse
RIJim said...
"..when will you give up on the blaming of republicans..." Just as soon as Republicans give up on blaming Democrats. I just watched this morning's edition of Meet the Press, where I watched the National Republican Congressional Committee Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) do the old bob and weave when he was asked what hard choices the Repubs would make if they got control of the House. He had nothing to say but the same old tired Repub BS about cutting taxes (partially what got us into this mess in the first place) and reining in entitlements. All well and good, but like all pols, they have no balls and will never give any specifics. If we can let go of the partisan BS, we just might get something done in this country. Sadly, I don't see that happening anytime soon.
July 18, 2010 at 12:15 PM Report abuse
middleone said...
DavidD - i didn't blame the Republicans, I just stated that the polls show the neither party is getting a lot of support. And to ignore the putrid legacy of the republicans under Bush, is to repeat it in the future. This voter will not forget the stagnant job growth, tax cuts for the rich, fighting a war with borrowed Chinese money, and ignoring the looming collapse of the economy with the failed trickle down theory. Doesn't mean I'll vote democrat, but its not looking for the republicans.
July 18, 2010 at 12:23 PM Report abuse
Aikidokan1 said...
STOP COMPLAINING EVERYONE. What positive changes are you bringing by complaining? What good have you actually done for your country by firing shots back and forth at the political party you don't agree with? You are all brain washed. Politics doesn't matter. All of it is bull. You all sit here being mad at each other behind the anonymity of your computers and yet greet each other with pleasantries in person. CUT IT OUT ALREADY IT'S ANNOYING!!!
July 18, 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse
AKMaineiac said...
Let em alone to enjoy their visit. Mind your business. That's a fine old Maine tradition.
July 18, 2010 at 1:57 PM Report abuse
AFVET said...
The right wing 'thinkers' keep telling us what November 2010 will bring. Their hero, Hayek, in 'Why I Am Not a Conservative' (1960) says, "Conservatism may often be a useful practical maxim, but it does not give us any guiding principles which can influence long range developments." Russell Kirk ("The Conservative Mind") would disagree, but only if 'liberalism' is factored into the inevitable teeter-totter that American politics has been since its inception. The point is that the GOP has no constructive program to offer the voters in November. But then the American electorate, as a whole, has often been as profoundly disabled as candidate G.W. Bush obviously was.
July 18, 2010 at 4:02 PM Report abuse
7199 said...
I'm just shocked, shocked, shocked I tell you about AXel's and Crackhead's postings. Round up the usual suspects. BTW, I'm a native of Kennebunkport and, as a kid, worked at Walker's Point for "W's" great uncle Herbie Walker. I also worked at the River Club in the 'Port where the swells kept their boats and played tennis. Many of those people were bright and moral, while others were ethically challenged and would think nothing of dropping AXel or Crackhead down a toilet. AXel and Crackhead, you need to get out more! This stuff is way too complcated for you!
July 18, 2010 at 5:01 PM Report abuse
Chainyanker said...
Hope the first family enjoyed their brief stay in Maine. Hopefully some day they will return for a longer stay. I'm still very happy that he is our President. The thought of going back to the policies of the prior eight years is very sickening. Hand in there Mr. President, more people than some posters here realize still support you all the way.
July 18, 2010 at 5:10 PM Report abuse
PaulPortland said...
Did you hear that the healthcare mandate is now officially a tax? $14,000 a year for a family of 4 even if you make less than BO's promised no new tax line of $250,000. Hayek would not approve.
July 18, 2010 at 5:44 PM Report abuse
pphreader said...
You are all just jealous of the First Lady's arms.Maine tourism...we need it to survive.
July 18, 2010 at 7:44 PM Report abuse
Ayuh23 said...
If the President's visit calls attention to Maine and that brings a few more tourists to our area, that's more money for the state and it's ok with me. I also happen to think it's important for the Chief of State to be familiar with the states he governs. He should spend a weekend in every state of the union.
July 18, 2010 at 11:18 PM Report abuse
T3V0aG91c2VSYXQ%3D said...
Is he still trying to find the oil spill? Tell him he needs to go a little further south. But hey...at least he is on the right track. He found the ocean.
July 19, 2010 at 9:29 AM Report abuse