First Family visits Carlsbad Caverns

presidential motorcade as it makes its way to the carlsbad caverns. this was as president barack obama, first lady michelle, and their daughters made their way to the national park. the first family arrived on air force one to roswell… then helicoptered to carlsbad on marine one. the motorcade started with with two police motorcycles, two police units… … followed by seven presidential s-u-v’s … then more than a dozen other vehicles and patrol units — including an ambulance. residents were next to our new mexico mobile newsroom crew to catch a glimpse around 2:40 this afternoon. the first family went 800-feet deep into the ground and explored the caves at carlsbad caverns today to draw public attention to america’s national parks. it comes as the system nears its 100th birthday in august. obama said it was “cool” and “spectacula the family plans to visit yosemite national park in california tomorrow. the caverns are two-and-a-half hours drive northeast of el paso. the city closest to them is carlsbad– another 20 minutes drive. it has a population just under 28-thousand people. so you know a presidential visit was quite exciting. abc-7’s josie ortegon was there today covering the first family’s visit for us. tonight, she is live from white’s city just by the caverns… …with our new mexico mobile newsroom. josie? rick, estela. the park is open and all is back to normal in carlsbad, new mexico–but for one day–the small town was a stop on president obama’s agenda, marking the first family’s father’s day vacation: : “nats of police motorcade “nats o helicopter” a whirlwind of trip for the first family. the president’s to carlsbad caverns national park not just a vacation but raising awareness about our nations national parks and forests: ranger sot: “the folks in the carlsbad community, they really love the park being here.” before his arrival families packed the national park’s visitor center. glenn pereria, california touring with family 8:52 “we would have loved to actually see him but since we can’t see him at least we can say we arrived the same day that he was.” stand-up 1 “securit also increased inside the visitors center. secret service agents at the entrance checking guests as they walk inside.” kirk richard & kimberly austin 2:52- “we had no idea we were lucky that we were able to still go in because we were thinking that we wouldn’t be able to make it maybe.” others not so lucky, as the park shut down to visitors at 11. sot:”we weren’t told about this.” president obama’s visi also highlighting the economic boost parks provide: carlsbad caverns draws 400-thousand visitors to the community each year bringing in revenue to local businesses. including families who waited for hours in the scorching heat, hoping to catch a glimpse of the president. “we got up at 4:30 and we drove at 5 and then we got here around 7:30 ish.” when th moment arrived–pure joy. “we were coming here today an we found out that president obama was coming so we’ve full come and waited for the motorcade to pass. it’s an occasion isn’t it? we’ll never see it again.” stand- up 2 “families waited as th first family toured the caverns hoping to get a glimpse again of the presidential motorcade.” ” knew he passed through we’re excited that he’s here in new mexico.” “nats of motorcade leaving.” the president will now make his way to california to tour yosemite national park. in carlsbad, with our nmmn, jo, abc7 josie thank you. the president’s visit also had an impact on el paso. the c-e-o of university medical center jim valenti said hospital staff prepared for it all week. valenti told abc- seven: “a the only level one trauma center in a 280-mile radius, umc is the federally designated medical center where the president and members of his family will be taken should they need medical care.” thankfully that was not needed. traffic is