USA Today - July 16, 2010
America may be divided over President Obama, but one thing must be agreed upon: He knows how to pick pretty vacation spots
How else to explain the First Family's visit this weekend to often-overlooked Acadia National Park, Maine's spectacular contribution to the nation's national park system? Its rocky shores and rising mountains might not be as dramatic as Yellowstone or Yosemite, but it's a photographer's dream.
The president, first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha will jet there around noon today for two nights away from Washington's heat -- and heated politics. As they prepared to leave, temperatures in the nation's humid capital were headed well into the 90s, with a heat index of 105.
The Oval hesitates to opine, but in the interest of a fun family vacation, we offer these suggestions:
•Drive the 20-mile Park Loop Road, stopping frequently for snapshots.
•Check out Sand Beach and its bracing waters.
•Pause frequently in search of whales.
•Climb at least part of Cadillac Mountain, the East's tallest.
•Dine on blueberry pancakes in the morning and fresh lobster in the evening.
That is, if the Obamas are lucky enough to have two uninterrupted days. That hasn't happened much on their family outings.
