It seems a little funny to
go to Canada to learn a
little US
history, but that’s what we did. We camped near the border in Lubec,
Maine, then took a day trip to Campobello Island, New Brunswick
Canada to visit Roosevelt Campobello International
Park.
Franklin Roosevelt grew up
vacationing at his parents’ cottage on the island. His mother bought him the
house next door as a wedding present.
The park offers a number of
interpretive programs and we managed to squeeze them all in to the day. We
walked around the grounds before the visitor center opened, then took the tour
of Roosevelt’s cottage.
In the late 1800s
businessmen promoted the region as a summer vacation spot, building three
hotels and luring some wealthy families to buy lots. Franklin Roosevelt’s
father built a cottage there.
 |
| Picture of FDR’s parents’ cottage |
Now out of the 3 hotels and
21 cottages only about 6 cottages remain. One of the cottages hosts “Tea with
Eleanor,” a tea where they serve Eleanor’s favorite tea and cookies and tell
stories about the life of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Bill won a small prize for
answering a Roosevelt trivia question.
Then we went to the Hubbard
Cottage with its custom made window with a great water view.
The window became a popular
photo op. A docent positioned Barbara in the same place the local high school
prom participants have their picture taken.
We went on the “Fun Tour”
where they included Roosevelt trivia with some
interactive activities. We took a quick trip to Mulholland Point Lighthouse
where we found a letterbox planted by Wanda and Pete.
Unfortunately the fog rolled
in just as we started a guided hike to Friar’s Head, so there was no view at
the top. But while hiking along the rocky beach and up the head, we spotted a
loon and saw where they farm-raise salmon.
The fog cleared as we returned. We ended the day with a trip
to see the Head Harbour Lightstation situated on a tiny island off of Campobello Island. You can walk to it at low tide, but
the path was closed due to construction.
