Obamas will spend summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard

When you’re the President, it’s easy to vacation in style. And that’s just what President Obama plans to do this summer. The President and his family are renting a secluded 28.5 acre retreat called the Blue Heron Farm in the small town of Chilmark on Martha’s Vineyard.

The waterfront home has a main house, 5 bedroom guest house, and a small boathouse on the water. The grounds feature a 300-yard fairway and putting green, basketball court, vegetable garden and reconstructed Pennsylvania barn. There’s also a private saltwater pond, beach, pool and dock, and a catamaran and several kayaks for the Obamas to use.

The house, which was sold in 2005 for over $20 million, is the second most-expensive piece of real estate ever sold on Martha’s vineyard and is no stranger to Presidential visits – the previous owners hosted the Clintons in 1998.

There’s no word on how much the property rents for, but comparable houses cost $35,000-$50,000 per week. The rental fee will come out of Obama’s pocket.

[via New York Post]

Paris brings the beach to the people

The last time I checked, Paris had more cobbled streets than sandy shores, so I was a bit surprised to find out about the Paris Plage project, a man-made beach created every summer (for the last seven) right in the heart of the city.

The project costs about 1.5 million euros each year and uses nearly 2,000 tons of sand to transform busy roadways into sandy beaches along the Seine River. The project came about when the mayor decided that everyone should be able to take a summer beach vacation, even if they can’t leave the city. The project was so popular, it has grown from year to year and now encompasses three locations and attracts nearly 4 million visitors. The Louvre/Pont de Sully beach features a climbing wall, swimming pool, and outdoor concert space. The Port de la Gare beach offers free wi-fi and art classes. And the Bassin de la Villette beach features free water sports like sailing and kayaking.

Beaches are open from 8 a.m. – midnight from late July to late August.

Photo of the Day (7-8-09)

Lady bugs and lightening bugs are the favorable bugs of summer, particularly if you’re in the Midwest region of the U.S. Both are bugs that I associate with childhood Julys in Kentucky. I particularly like this shot by Lili Living because of the contrast of texture and colors between the lady bug and the blades of grass.

If you have any shots to share that hint at a place that evokes a memory of summer, send them our way at Gadling’s Flickr photo pool. (Other shots are welcome as well.) One might be chosen as a Photo of the Day.

Gadlinks for Wednesday 6.24.09


Today’s Gadlinks are dedicated to enjoying the great outdoors and summer travel. Even though it’s windy and rainy here on the islands, I hope the rest of you on the mainland are enjoying nice warm summer weather!

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

For past Gadlinks, click HERE.

Gadlinks for Monday 6.22.09


I just watched “The Hangover” last night and the exorbitant amount of money that was spent in just two evenings in Las Vegas made my head spin. There’s something about Vegas and road trips that throw reason and budgeting out the window, I think. For a more realistic view of the travel experience, you might want to read these great

‘Til tomorrow, have a great evening!

For past Gadlinks, click HERE.