First Family visiting Yosemite

Busy weekend expected at park The National Park Service will be working doubly hard this weekend, both to host President Obama and his family, and to ease the impact of that visit on other guests.

Air Force One brought the First Family to Merced County Castle Airport in Atwater on Friday evening. They stayed overnight in the glacial Yosemite Valley, and will continue their visit today at Yosemite National Park, which lies in Madera, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties.

“We want to give all visitors advance notice that heavy traffic congestion, full parking lots and several short-term area closures are anticipated throughout the weekend, particularly in Yosemite Valley,” said Park Superintendent Don Neubacher.

Obama, his wife Michelle and two daughters Malia and Sasha are scheduled to fly out from Castle Airport at 2 p.m. Sunday...