Emperor Obama visits Phoenix and the Grand Canyon : AZ IMC

Tusayan awaits visit by Obamas

The community of Tusayan, just outside the South Rim entrance gate to Grand Canyon National Park, has been waiting, watching and asking all week about the arrival of President Obama and the first family.

Secret Service personnel and men with military haircuts have been noted around town, as have cargo planes landing at an airport typically used for small aircraft and air tours over the Grand Canyon. Local pilots are expecting to hear about related flight restrictions Friday, with the Obamas landing in Tusayan sometime Sunday morning and leaving Sunday afternoon.

The White House has said that this visit is a family trip to the Grand Canyon and that no statements or public appearances were planned in Flagstaff or the park, at least as of Wednesday.

As the main entry point for Grand Canyon Village, Tusayan is used to seeing presidential motorcades.

The community received visits from both the elder and younger President Bush, and President Clinton, who came to announce the designation of Vermilion Cliffs and Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument.

"Here, as soon as Air Force One flies over, you know you've got a period of time to go stand by the road," said Clarinda Vail, owner of the Red Feather Lodge.

Each time it's different, Vail said.

George H.W. Bush waved to crowds and drove through with the windows down.

When the younger Bush drove by, it was difficult to tell which vehicle was his, she said.

A few in Tusayan also pondered whether the airport would hold up this time.

The arrival of the Air Force One jet has previously been powerful enough to blow out the lights there.

Local hoteliers report rooms are already mostly full due to the summer season, but they also note the presence of White House trip-planners in town, and a few are probably booking remaining rooms.

At Grand Canyon Camper Village inside the national park, most of the visitors are European, and largely unaware of the upcoming visit.

Try as they might, the staff at We Cook Pizza and Pasta can't get any hints about the schedule from the official-looking types now frequenting the restaurant, said Manager Brian Ciesielski.

"Anytime a president comes, it's a big to-do in the community, and we're all secretly hoping he comes in and says 'Hi' like anyone else might do," he said.

More realistically, he just wants to know what time Sunday to go stand by the side of the road.

"We hope we get to see him, and we'd love to meet him," Ciesielski said. "We also understand that that opportunity is remote."

Obama is visiting Bozeman, Mont., Yellowstone National Park, Grand Junction, Colo., and Phoenix as part of series of visits to national parks, paired with talks on proposed changes to the nation's health care system.

The White House has said the trips are meant, in part, to encourage people to visit the national park system during the summer's third and last "fee-free" weekend, when entry fees are waived.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said that Obama would speak to the Veterans of Foreign War convention on Monday in Phoenix. Gibbs says Obama will discuss the United States' responsibilities to maintain the world's finest military.

Gibbs also says Obama will speak about the nation's responsibility to the men and women of the armed services when they return home from combat. Presidents typically address the convention. Obama spoke to the group last year as a presidential candidate.

The Associated Press contributed to this story. can be reached at or at ccole@azdailysun.com.

Grand Canyon community anxiously awaits Obama

FLAGSTAFF - Residents of the Grand Canyon community of Tusayan are anxiously awaiting Sunday's arrival of President Barack Obama and his family.

Already Secret Service personnel have been seen in town. Cargo jets have also landed at the nearby airport that normally serves as a hub for air tour operators.

The White House has said the visit is a family trip to the Grand Canyon and that no statements or public appearances were planned in Flagstaff or the park.
As the gateway to the Grand Canyon, Tusayan has seen its share of presidential motorcades.

The community received visits from President Bush and President Clinton.

After his visit to northern Arizona, President Obama is expected to return to Phoenix. Monday, he addresses the Veterans of Foreign War convention.