Tales from the Trail

Even President Barack Obama had to change his ways for the Easter Bunny.

The White House is preparing for the annual Easter Egg Roll where scores of children will join the First Family’s Easter celebrations. But the tents have restricted the landing zone for the president’s preferred form of conveyance from his residence, the Marine One helicopter.

That’s why Obama was forced to take a motorcade out to Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland for a day-trip to Portland, Maine, where he will try to sell healthcare reform to skeptical Americans.

The Easter Egg Roll on Monday is one of the most highly anticipated events of the White House social calendar, at least among the younger crowd. No word on whether First Dog Bo will be joining the hunt.

Photo credit: Reuters/Larry Downing (Obama and Easter Bunny at 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll)

The first female pilot of Marine One — Major Jennifer Grieves — wrapped up her last day of duty Thursday with a special tribute — an all-woman crew.

Grieves, of Glendale, Arizona, flew President Obama from the White House to Andrews Air Force Base for his trip to New Jersey and New York, where he spoke at rallies for New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and addressed the centennial celebration of the NAACP.

Grieves was designated the helicopter aircraft commander of Marine One in May 2008 and has flown Obama and former President George W. Bush on numerous occasions, the White House said.

QUANTICO, Va., Oct 30 (Reuters) – Aside from the treasured memories, President George W. Bush will probably take back to Texas a souvenir or two from his years in the White House.

And as president he gets more than just T-shirts and mugs.

On Thursday, the Marines and sailors who take care of Marine One presented Bush with a little piece of the presidential helicopter to take home.

Any helicopter that carries the president is called Marine One and only a handful of senior aides get a lift in it. When Bush goes out of town, he takes the helicopter from the White House South Lawn to Andrews Air Force Base where his plane, Air Force One, is waiting.