Campobello, New Brunswick

On Saturday we planned what we thought was a short drive to Roosevelt Campobello International Park - the summer retreat for the Roosevelt family.  The park is located on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada - just across the international border from Lubec on the easternmost tip of Maine.

Little did we know this would require us to cross the border 4 times in one day.  Each time you are asked the same set of questions.  Some of the border agents are friendly but for the most part they are all business.  Good to know they take their jobs serious.

Entering Calais, Maine that morning

Entering Campobello, New Brunswick later that day after lunch.

Returning back to Lubec, Maine

Crossing back over into St. Stephens NB later that evening! Whew!

Since the drive was a little longer than we expected (about 2 hrs) we stopped in a cute little town called Eastport and had a quick lunch at Quoddy Bay Lobster.  We sat on the docks and watched the boats come back in from the whale watching tours.  

 

You order and pick up your food at the outside window but if you have ordered wine or beer you have to go inside and pick it up.  Dennis quickly found out that he can not be in a small restaurant if they are cooking a lot of lobster and shrimp.  He returned wheezing and told me that I needed to go and pick up my own wine.  Good to know for the future.

Dennis had a grilled cheese sandwich with bacon!

Quoddy Bay Lobster Shack

We crossed the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge, which connects Lubec, Maine with New Brunswick on Campobello Island. The bridge is named for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our 32nd President, due to the fact that he maintained a summer retreat on Campobello. This bridge is the island’s only road that connects it to the USA.

Our first stop on the island was at the Mulholland lighthouse, which protects the international channel. This is the only lighthouse shared by Canada and the United States. The octagonal wooden structure was built in 1885 to guide vessels through Lubec Narrows, the small passage between the island and the US.

Our next stop was Head Harbour Light.  The lighthouse is on a separate little island, and since Campobello Island is located on the Bay of Fundy it’s possible to cross over from the main island to the lighthouse at low tide. We, however, were there at high tide and weren't about to walk over.

 

Our next stop in Roosevelt Campobello International Park, was the Roosevelt Summer Cottage of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family.  We arrived at 5pm and the tour ended at 6pm.  We were the only ones going through since it was about to close.  Bonus!

FDR’s mother, Sara, bought the house for $5000.00 in 1909 from Mrs. Hartman Kuhn and gave it to Franklin and Eleanor as a wedding gift. They spent summers there from 1909 to 1921.

It was at this house in August 1921, that FDR fell ill with polio.  After his illness, he only sailed there in 1933 and again briefly in 1936 and 1939.   Eleanor continued to visit many times with their children.  After her death in 1962, the family deeded the property to the governments of the U.S. and Canada.

FDR and Eleanor's bedroom

One of the 7 bedrooms

One of the 6 bathrooms

Megaphone that Eleanor used to call the kids to dinner.

Laundry Room used for personal items. The rest of sent out for cleaning.

Huge kitchen with boiler attached to the stove to store hot water.

Dining room with original dinnerware

FDR with his family and mother Sara.

FDR's hat and pipe left on his last visit i 1939.

Family room with a huge picture window looking out to the ocean.

The day ended up being long but once again worth the trip.  We learned a few things, didn't hit any deer and made it through the border without being searched.  All in all a good day!