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Barack Obama and his family were heading to Palm Springs for a post-presidential vacation when something unusual happened: a storm prevented the plane from landing at Palm Springs International Airport, Desert Sun reporter Rosalie Murphy told KPCC.
The plane was diverted 60 miles away to March Air Force Base, forcing the Obamas to make the rest of their trip to Palm Springs’ Rancho Mirage neighborhood by car, Murphy said.
“If I was in his place, I would just want to be sitting by the pool,” she said.
The diversion disappointed those eagerly awaiting the former president's arrival at the Palm Springs airport, where media and supporters had gathered. The group dispersed shortly after hearing news of the diversion, Murphy said.
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The plane carrying the Obama family circled the airport for about 30 minutes before diverting course, delaying the start of the former president’s seventh visit to Palm Springs, Murphy said. She added that he would probably not get to play much golf over the rare rainy weekend ahead.
A timeline for the length of the Obama’s Palm Springs vacation hasn’t been made public, but the family will eventually return to Washington, D.C. as private citizens while Sasha, the family’s youngest daughter, finishes high school, according to the Associated Press.