It was an arrival with fanfare albeit less than expected for a vice president.
According to a story in the Aug. 16, 1997, Wilmington Morning Star, Vice President Al Gore and his family arrived at the New Hanover County airport -- its name would change to Wilmington International Airport
later that year -- for a two-week stay at Figure Eight Island. A small group of reporters and photographers were at the arrival.While there, Gore said they planned to go swimming, fishing and boating but did not plan to travel around and sight-see while in the region or make political appearances. A dark blue bulletproof Chevrolet Suburban transported the Gores away from the airport's main entrance. That avoided the sewer treatment plant and striking UPS workers
who gathered outside its warehouse on 23rd Street.
The motorcade had little to draw attention -- no police escort or tiny flags fluttering in the wind. Gore and his family returned in 1999 but cut that vacation short in advance of Hurricane Dennis.
Some pundits had already figured Gore as the Democratic nominee for president in 2000. That made for a bigger crowd at the airport when the Gores returned in July 2000.
With a national press pool in tow looking to catch a glimpse of the presidential candidate, Gore was spotted on a boat at the Fight Eight Island Yacht Club. He planned to watch the Republican National Convention while vacationing on the island and "mull over" his choice for a vice-presidential nominee.
Owen Hassell is the local news editor for the StarNews. You can reach him at ohassell@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: From the archives: Vice president vacations on New Hanover island
