Obama in Yellowstone

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By Penny Preston

Story Published: Aug 16, 2009 at 5:29 PM MST

Story Updated: Aug 17, 2009 at 9:41 AM MST

OLD FAITHFUL, WYOMING - President Obama was welcomed by cheering crowds in Wyoming Saturday, when he and his family visited Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park.

His visit was brief, and distant from the people who waited to see him. Yellowstone’s attendance growth this summer is on pace to set an all time record for the world’s first National Park.

On Saturday, the crowds gathered at Old Faithful, waiting for the President’s visit. Security started early, with an evacuation of Old Faithful Inn. Rosie Cioe, from Providence, Rhode Island, said, "We left by 9 Sunday. Our windows had to be shut. All the parking access was gone. The president was coming.” She said she didn't mind the disruption.

Dogs, men on horseback and secret service swept the landing field, Five helicopters reportedly tested the landing strip Friday. By 10 a.m. Saturday morning, no one was allowed in the zone where the Presidential chopper would land.

People waved and cheered as one helicopter circled Old Faithful, then cheered again, as another, presumably the President’s, landed nearby. No protesters here. Katherine Protil, a teenager from Summerspring, Maryland said, “This is the best summer story, nobody else will have done anything this cool”.

Chris Bruya, From Ellensburg, Washington remarked, “We just came to Yellowstone for vacation, and found out this was happening. This is just astounding that a President would do this.”

Another visitor from Florida said, “I think it’s pretty remarkable.” Peter, From Boulder, Colorado, commented in a Russian accent, “It’s great that he comes visit the national parks.” And, another man was stoked, “Aw, he’s awesome.”

After hours of waiting, false alarms, security, and more security, he finally came. The first family, and various officials walked to the back side of Old Faithful, far away from the cheering crowds, and waited for the magic moment, and, then it happened. Old Faithful sent a huge spray into the air, wowing the crowd, and the world’s most powerful man.

President Obama lingered to watch the eruption subside. As he left, he waved as people cheered, and left Old Faithful with another historic moment.

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Liberty1776 said on Tuesday, Jul 13 at 2:23 PM

I remember when he was in Yellowstone, and I did not like it. Everyone makes such a big deal about seeing him, and it makes me sick. Even our local newspaper wrote about him as if he were to be worshiped. If people had paid attention to his bountiful lies in 2008, rather than his "looks" or "speaking talent" we would not be in the mess that we are in right now. We need to write our elected officials, and repeal all of his outrageous legislation, or this country will cease to be free. Long live liberty!!!

rick said on Tuesday, Sep 1 at 8:44 PM

i was their to see the geyser too he could have wasted our dollars on a day where it was not free to the public if they are trying to increase their numbers they should not waste our money on these flights try an off day. we waited over an hour and a half next time obama needs to think it through.

Alyse said on Monday, Aug 17 at 10:28 PM

I also got stuck in traffic for about an hour, it was ridiculous. We couldn't use the front door to the Inn we were staying in or the front parking lot. There were snippers all over the place, it was kind of scarry. If he wanted to visit yellowstone so bad he should have done so before he became president. With the budget so tight, this is not what tax payers money should be going to.

rohlfme said on Monday, Aug 17 at 6:37 PM

Oh boo hoo, Sags. What a whiner. It's great the President is vacationing in the west and showing how wonderful our part of paradise really is. I think it's great the Obama's were here. And I don't care that your vacation was inconvenienced. Heavens.

sags said on Monday, Aug 17 at 12:19 PM

We got stuck in a 30 min. traffic jam at Old Faithful waiting to see the sites while the Pres. paraded around. It affected our vacation and was a big inconvience to us and many in at Old Faithful. After watching him fly off, we got to go in to Old Faithful, many people were irritated that their vacation was interupted and they were herded around like cattle when all they wanted to do was vacation. It is nice he can take his kids there, but you don't see much flying in and spooking wildlife

mimi13 said on Monday, Aug 17 at 10:25 AM

OK, it's remarkable that a Pres. visits Yellowstone with his school age children? I would have thought it was weird if he didn't, after being in the neighborhood. Get real!

AnnaMaria said on Sunday, Aug 16 at 11:35 PM

What a sweetly written story...sickening sweet! While the majority of Americans are worried about their future health care, the media portrays everything as "perfect."

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