President Obama arrived on the Vineyard early Thursday evening to begin a 10-day vacation with his family, marking his third consecutive August visit to the Island during his Presidency. Like the last two years, the arrival was low-key and closed to the public. Traveling with the President were White House counterterrorism chief John Brennan and deputy press secretary John Earnest, White House trip director Marvin Nicholson and the family dog, Bo, freshly groomed for the trip.

First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia arrived earlier in the day around 2 p.m., and were quickly whisked to the Blue Heron Farm in Chilmark where the family will spend their summer vacation. The Obamas are scheduled to stay on the Island until August 27. No public events are planned, although the President is expected to conduct sporadic press briefings.

Marine One touched down at the far end of the airport by the airport business park just before 6 p.m in the hazy August dusk. A few miles away, crowds lined the road from Alley’s General Store to the Chilmark estate to wave at the Presidential motorcade as it sped past.

The Obamas stayed in for their first night on the Vineyard.

A complete story about the arrival of the President will appear in the Friday Gazette.