st south of of the border in Robertston, Maine at a nice campground that was supposed to have a great view, but for 3 days it was so foggy and rainy you couldn't see the RV next to you. Once we were caught up on house keeping, and waiting for the weather to clear, we took a side trip to the summer home of FDR, on a Canadian Island off the coast of Maine. We go over the bridge and through customs in our car, no problem. In the 1880's, years of great summer resorts, the wealthy with extensive leisure time would enjoy long summer vacations away from the heat of the cities. As a boy, President Roosevelt grew fond of the island with extensive forest, bold cliffs, and great natural beauty, as a man, this was passed on to his children. In 1921 at the age of 39, FDR contracted polio and was only able to return to Campobello for brief visits 3 times before his death in 1945.The Roosevelt Campobello International Park has over 2800 acres of reserved beauty. The visitors center is filled with childhood memorabilia and presidential history, and you can tour the home to get a view of early married life of a lawyer, politician, soon to be president, with wife Eleanor and growing family(6 children). The "cottage" has 34 rooms of which 18 are bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Most summers the family would forgo the luxury of Hyde Park, NY, for the more simple pleasures of the island where he spent his boyhood. This foggy afternoon was well spent touring Campobello. At the top of the island we still can't see the lighthouse for the fog, but we're told from shore they herd whales blowing when they surface, just past the lighthouse in the bay. It was decided to go back to Canada to go whale watching. First the weather had to clear.
We used Don and Jill's car and cross the border at Calais, no red flags, all was normal, no firewood questions or searches. The 30 mile drive into St. Andrews, New Brunswick was good. The rugged coast was clear, and not to cool. We had lunch at one of restaurants along main street, it is loaded with shops and traps and tourist. Whale watching tours are a boat ride down the coast islands around Campobello, in Passamaquoddy Bay. Finback(60'), Menke(30') whales, bald eagles, harbor seals, and harbor porpoise were all spotted. This area is a crucial feeding grounds for birds and whales alike, and a vital link in the chain of life from South America to the Artic. The afternoon on the water was great and a whole new perspective of the coast from the water.
With a break in the weather its time to move on and we head to Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor. A beautiful area of coastal Maine, one of the most visited national parks in the country, the park offers something for everyone. From the rocky shoreline, to Cadiallic Mountain, the highest point on the eastern coastline, hotels, restaurants, B&B's, cottages and shops. The National Park Service visitors center is busy. We watch a short orientation
film and start out on the loop road. A nice lunch in Bar Harbor, and two cloudy
days in the park, but still beautiful.
film and start out on the loop road. A nice lunch in Bar Harbor, and two cloudy
days in the park, but still beautiful. We explore further down the coast, so many inlets, coves, small towns and hamlets. Stops in Rockland and the Maine Lighthouse Museum, Camden for dinner at the local lobster shack,
and Lincolnville to see hand built Shaker furniture. We are welcomed right into the shop and talk to the craftsman while they make custom chairs one by one. A stop in Brunswick for a few days and take the cars to Bath and the Marine Maritime Museum. Great Schooners with five and six mast, 345 feet long were built here into the 1920's. A great museum and attraction. Just a 1/2 mile down the Kennebec river Navy light cruisers are now being built at the Bath Iron Works navy shipyard. The 109 is being painted and readied for dedication in a week. Great ships have been built in this part of Maine for centuries. A ride into Freeport and shopping at LLBean. Don isn't feeling well so Linda and I spend the afternoon exploring the coast.
and Lincolnville to see hand built Shaker furniture. We are welcomed right into the shop and talk to the craftsman while they make custom chairs one by one. A stop in Brunswick for a few days and take the cars to Bath and the Marine Maritime Museum. Great Schooners with five and six mast, 345 feet long were built here into the 1920's. A great museum and attraction. Just a 1/2 mile down the Kennebec river Navy light cruisers are now being built at the Bath Iron Works navy shipyard. The 109 is being painted and readied for dedication in a week. Great ships have been built in this part of Maine for centuries. A ride into Freeport and shopping at LLBean. Don isn't feeling well so Linda and I spend the afternoon exploring the coast.
The time has come for us to split up, Don and Jill have plans in Florida and Linda and I will head west to meet friends in Nevada. Don has a chest cold and needs a few days rest, so we'll say our goodbyes sooner than expected. Its hugs around knowing we'll keep in touch, and see each other down the road. For us it south into Conn. then west through New York state, western Pennsylvania into Ohio. More in a few weeks Skip and Linda
