President Obama arrives at Grand Canyon (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

President Obama and his family completed their tour of the Grand Canyon today, starting with the family’s arrival at the Grand Canyon Airport at 10:05 AM MST this morning. The President and his family exited Air Force One and immediately jumped into one of the black suburbans waiting for them on the tarmac.  The First Family, dressed in casual clothing, spent about three and a half hours touring the canyon, escorted by a park ranger.  Traffic closures affected the airport for 15 minutes before and after the motorcade moved around the airport.

A GNCP official said that the delays were minimal around the park during the visit.  Air Force One took off with the family this afternoon at about 1:55 PM MST, returning to Phoenix a short time later.

The President and his family are in Arizona for two days, with Mr. Obama speaking tomorrow at the Phoenix Convention Center to war veterans at the 110th Veterans of Foreign Wars convention.  The stop in Arizona is the tail end of a western trip, which has included several visits to National Parks and town hall meetings across the western United States.  The President has seen his approval ratings dip since taking office eight months ago, so he is using this trip try to right the ship in the region, which has historically been a conservative stronghold.

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The First Family leaving Air Force One at the Grand Canyon Airport (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

President Obama prepares to step out of the door. (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

Mrs. Obama leaving Air Force One and immediately moving to a Suburban. (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

The Obamas boarding Air Force One after touring the Grand Canyon (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

President Obama waves to reporters at the airport before leaving (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

Air Force One taxiing towards the runway to take off (NAZ Today/Brandon Neuman)

Air Force One landing at Grand Canyon National Park Airport:

Air Force One taking off from Grand Canyon National Park Airport: