August is nearly upon us, which means only one thing to us Vineyarders – the US President (and his entourage!) will be descending soon for his annual summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard.
We get asked by many people “Where does the President stay when he vacations on Martha’s Vineyard?” – Maybe some think the President stays at the Nobnocket Boutique Inn! Well he and his family would be most welcome to stay with us and enjoy our inn’s secluded location and relax in our large gardens away from the crowds. But no he has chosen elsewhere; The President always heads “Up-Island” to use Chilmark as his home base whilst on the island.
For his first few visits the Obama family stayed at Blue Heron Farm overlooking Great Tisbury Pond but this year, as the last two years, they’ll be staying at Joanne Hubschman’s estate off North Road in Chilmark with sweeping views of the Elizabeth Islands.
No doubt the President’s vacation will include a few rounds of golf at Farm Neck Golf Course and at Mink Meadows in Vineyard Haven, where we offer a special President’s golf package, and dinner at some of our favorite restaurants. Last year the Obamas ate round the corner from the Nobnocket Boutique Inn at Beach Road restaurant. In other years Sweet Life Café in Oak Bluffs and State Road restaurant in West Tisbury have been favored spots of the first family. Beach time will probably be spent in the privacy and beauty of Caroline Kennedy’s sprawling estate, an estate that is home to a dozen protected species making it a place of particular ecological interest in the US, and biking trips round Manuel F Correllus State Park.
For some people this is a time of great excitement and a chance to see the President or at least his cavalcade. For others it’s a time to “grin and bear it” and put up with the road blocks and swarms of press. Whichever band you fall into the vacation passes quickly and reminds us that we are lucky to call such a special and sought after place, “home”.
Safe travels,
Simon