Recap of Obama Family’s Martha’s Vineyard Vacation

 
Image via AP

We’ll be the first to admit it. We are slackers for not reporting daily coverage of the Obama family’s 10-day vacation on Martha’s Vineyard. Please forgive us and accept this recap as a peace offering.

For the second year in a row, the family opted to stay at the multi-million dollar, 28 acre Blue Heron Farm. The estate includes a private stretch of beach, basketball court, pool, and a gym which came in handy because it stormed almost half the time the Obamas were there. In addition to staffers, the family brought along a few friends including  Eric and Cheryl Whitaker and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett and daughter Laura.

August 20, 2010

Image via AP

President Obama and First Daughters Sasha and Malia started the first day of their vacation by visiting the popular Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven. According to the store’s owner, Dawn Braasch, they purchased Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird, John Steinbeck’s The Red Pony, and an advance copy of Freedom by Jonathan Franzen when the President inquired about its availability. He also signed copies of his book, Dreams From My Father, for the staff.

Image via spectator video

Later that afternoon, Mrs. Obama, Sasha, and Malia  stopped by Mad Martha’s Ice Cream in Vineyard Haven (the President opted to golf at Vineyard Golf Club in Edgartown). It’s  rumored one of them tried the coffee and macademia-flavored “Barack My World” - the “flavor” of the week.

August 21, 2010

The First Family enjoyed a picnic lunch at a private beach near Oyster Pond located only a short drive from their vacation home. No further details or images were available.

August 23, 2010

By this time, heavy storms have pretty much put a damper on the vacation. According to reports, everyone was confined to the estate up until 3 PM when the President went out briefly to play ball for a couple of hours at Oak Bluffs Elementary with Eric and banker Robert Wolf and his two sons.  Mrs. Obama, Sasha, and Malia also went out as well.

Images via the Huffington Post

Later that evening, the First Couple, the Whitakers, and Valerie dined at the Sweet Life Cafe (contemporary French-American cuisine) in Oak Bluffs for a couple of hours.  The President enjoyed beef tenderloin and short ribs while Mrs. Obama opted for the beef tenderloin and a lobster tail. The group shared four desserts including a creme brulee.  Mrs. Obama chose a black and white Narcisco Rodriguez dress for the occassion.

Side note: Have you wondered what to expect if a President ever wants to visit your business? Well, Sweet Life owner Susan Guering shared her experience with the Vineyard Gazette.  Guering said a man called to reserve a private room so he could propose to his girlfriend with both sets of parents present.  However, the already suspicious Geuring realized her guest was the President when two Secret Service agents showed up with a bomb sniffing dog.

August 24, 2010

 
Image via spectator video

Disregarding the rain, Mrs. Obama dined with BFF Cheryl Whitaker for lunch at the ultra exclusive private club, The Boathouse, overlooking Edgartown Harbor.

Image via the Huffington Post

For dinner, the First Couple chose the one-year old State Road restaurant. The Whitakers and island residents (and long-time Clinton friends) Vernon and Ann Jordan accompanied them.  The restaurant ‘s menu includes entrees ranging from $19 (burger)  - $44  (wood-crusted sirloin). Mrs. Obama wore a bold multi print ”collage dress” by London-based designer Duro Olowu.

August 25, 2010

 Candid images via AP

The First Couple and friends enjoyed a fried seafood lunch at Nancy’s Restaurant in Oak Bluffs. In business since 1960, the casual restaurant claims to have the “Vineyard’s best lobster rolls, fried clams and hand cut skinny onion rings.” After exiting the restaurant, they greeted the throngs of onlookers. The First Lady’s lavender watch got a lot of coverage (shrugs). The gift from the President is a Neon Plasteramic ToyWatch in ultraviolet. It retails for $195.

August 27, 2010

Images via The Huffington Post

The First Family took advantage of the great weather by going on a 6-mile bike ride through the 5,100 acre Correllus State Forest. The First Couple, Alan and Sophia King, and Valerie were spotted at the Beach Plum Inn Restaurant for a dinner outing.  

August 28, 2010

The family spent over five hours of their last full day on a private stretch of beach in Egartown

August 29, 2010

Images via AP

The First Family, staffers, and friends left Blue Heron Farm at 9:35 AM.