Bush Begins a Vacation at Family’s Maine Home
President Bush arrived Thursday at his family’s vacation retreat on the Atlantic Coast, looking forward to a birthday celebration, a few holes of golf and a break from Washington’s sweltering summer.
In a rush to unwind once inside the Walker’s Point estate, the president quickly traded his dress shirt for a T-shirt.
A television camera also spotted his 77-year-old father, the former president, barefoot and in a white robe, apparently heading for the swimming pool.
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said there are long ties between the president and the house at Kennebunkport. “It’s part of his family,” he said.
Bush, who turns 55 today, landed amid a downpour in nearby Sanford.
Braving the weather, a few residents greeted his motorcade as it arrived from the airport. Joining him on the trip were friends, White House aides and family: his parents, former President George Bush and Barbara Bush, sister Dorothy and brother Jeb, Florida’s governor.
As he boarded Air Force One, Bush carried one of his dogs, Scottish terrier Barney, and held the leash for Spot, his springer spaniel.
Bush last came to Kennebunkport in June 2000 for a birthday party for his mother.
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