Campobello Island – September 12, 2012

We spent the majority of the day on Campobello Island and it was so worth the trip up here.  The lower portion of the island is the Roosevelt Campobello International Park.  The island is actually in New Brunswick, Canada but it was such an integral part of the Roosevelt family and history of our president, the two countries agreed to create a co-ownership situation in 1964 and the park is still managed by a commission equally represented by Canadians and Americans.  Many of the residents on the island actually hold dual citizenships.

Where do I start?  We were told we needed to arrive no later than 9 am because in the Spring of 2011 they started something called “Tea with Eleanor” and they only seat 20 people in the morning and 20 people in the afternoon.  You have to have a ticket to attend and they give them out promptly at 9 am.  By the way, they are on Atlantic time which is one hour later than daylight savings time.  We were lined up with all the other visitors, some of which had tried to attend yesterday and arrived too late to get a ticket.  We were first in line and got our 3pm tea ticket.  Admission to the park and tea and many tours are free.

Anyway, the park is actually 2,800 acres and includes a 34 room “cottage” given to Franklin and Eleanor by his mother as a summer home.  They call it a cottage because it has no foundation or insulation and is actually just built on stilts.  FDR’s parents had built a summer home on the island when their son was a child and he dearly loved the people and the place.  This island is actually where he was stricken with Polio all those years ago.  There is so much to see in the Park, this posting would go on forever.  I think Jim’s pictures will tell the story better than I could.

There are two lighthouses on the island and we went to see both.  The East Quoddy Lighthouse actually sits on a perch atop a huge rock formation.  At low tide you walk down a set of stairs to  the ocean floor and walk over to another staircase to walk up to the lighthouse.  During any other tides you just get to look from afar.  Unfortunately, it was not low tide.  But we did get to see a beautifully majestic bald eagle sitting watch over the area.  The atmosphere was so peaceful and quiet we found ourselves whispering.  Only the sounds of the water and birds occasionally broke the silence.

On the way back from the lighthouse, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch and experienced the best seafood chowder and homemade raspberry pie I have ever eaten.

We drove to various points in the park and then got back to the Hubbard Cottage in time for our tea reservation.  There we were with the other 18 visitors not really knowing what to expect.  There were tables set up with china tea cups, cloth tea napkins and fresh-baked cookies for us to enjoy while we listened to the story of the life of Eleanor Roosevelt including her trials and accomplishments.  This was the idea of the two ladies who shared the presentation and grew from a once a day occurrence to now twice a day.  It was delightful and made me want to reread some of the biographies I have read about this first lady.

Jim took lots of great pictures that I believe he will put into a gallery for today.  Make sure you check them out.  All I can say is, if you are ever in Maine do not miss the Campobello experience.  It would be like going to Plant City and not eating strawberries!