It was a short drive and a double-ferry ride from St. Andrews to Campobello Island. What fun to have this unique commute as I simultaneously wondered if I really had to return to the US of A one week later. Campobello Island is just 10 miles long and 3 miles wide with about 900 year-round residents; 10% of whom work at the main tourist attraction, Roosevelt Campobello International Park. The Island has no gas station, one small food market, a library, and a community room (which is where you'll meet the locals). It is a naturally beautiful place where you don't have to leave the shore to see porpoises, whales, eagles, and more. I camped, biked, walked trails from my tent, ate local fresh fish, met friendly people, and of course, visited the Park. The Roosevelt Campobello International Park, established in 1962, is officially on Canadian soil, but is the only one of its kind as it's jointly staffed and funded by the peoples of Canada and the United States. The focal point, of course, is the Franklin D. Roosevelt 34-room summer cottage which I toured, and the nearby Hubbard Cottage where you can enjoy "Tea with Eleanor," all at no charge. The home was built in 1897 for Mrs. Hartman Kuhn of Boston, who grew fond of Franklin and Eleanor as they summered at his mother’s cottage next door. She offered her cottage to FDR’s mother, Sara for $5000 with a provision in her will that it would be given to the couple. Sara purchased the furnished cottage and 5 acres of land in 1909, and it's where FDR's family spent summers from 1909 to 1921. I loved the natural beauty of this island and really had no interest in crossing the bridge to Lubec, Maine!
4 Comments
Anne-Marie
9/24/2016 10:46:25 am
"Ferry"???? That motorized raft? Am impressed with Island's beauty and how well-maintained everything appears to be. . .the church, the Roosevelt home, that lovely cottage window, the cross-over bridge. A gem of an island, indeed. Am kicking myself for not having purchased that Eastport home thirty years ago.
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Judy
9/27/2016 01:34:08 pm
AMG: Seriously funny ferry rides from mainland to Deer Island then to Campobello. Casual and friendly folks working & boarding. Campobello is lovely & on my summer 2017 job list! Yes, too late to buy in Maine (and it seems busy!).
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Ed condon
10/1/2016 04:42:08 pm
J sorry I missed your birthday, I loved your choices for your birthday and pictures.
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Judy
10/2/2016 07:33:23 pm
Ed ... oh my, the Seagull! I'd risk it if I were in town though I haven't ridden more than 40 miles in a day all summer!!! Yes, the FDR cottage is something eh? I was inspired by Eleanor's stories myself. Hope Maryland has "Indian summer" when I arrive; really cold & wet here in New England too. j.
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