KENNEBUNKPORT – President Bush played one last round of golf Monday in the early morning mist of the Maine coast before returning to Washington for a week of ceremony and political challenge.

The president said, “I’m focused on 18 holes of golf.”

His father, former President George H.W. Bush, seconded the notion.

“It’s vacation. You should relax by the sea,” the elder Bush told the younger at the first tee of Cape Arundel Golf Club.

The trip was Bush’s second to the family’s summer home at Kennebunkport since he moved into the White House.

Although he spent most of his childhood summers at the 6-acre compound at Walker’s Point with its cool breezes and wraparound Atlantic Ocean views, Bush made clear he prefers the open plains of Texas, even in the heat.

Bush spent most of August last year at his 1,600-acre ranch near Crawford, Texas, and intends to repeat that vacation this year.

When a reporter asked if he was having second thoughts and might come to Maine instead, Bush had a crisp reply.

“I think you’ll like Crawford,” he said.