Campobello Island, Roosevelt's Summer Home, and Lighthouses!

Wednesday, July 26

Up with the early light, I opened the door to see how the air felt in all that sunshine, and there on the piling  sat the eagle!  Afraid of missing him, I grabbed the camera and donned flip flops, and went out with my terry robe pulled tight against the morning chill. Got a few shots...got closer....it didn't seem to mind. So I stood and waited. Then sat and waited!  The sun felt so good, I was just enjoying being out there, but was thinking I would like my morning coffee!  Low and behold, Clem finally opens the door, I turn to talk to him, and turn back and the bird flies!!  Sure, Now you fly!  

While I was waiting for the eagle to fly, this man walked down that amazing floating dock, which at low tide sits on the ground, to get to his boat.  

I went in for some clothes while Clem made coffee and we both sat out and enjoyed the beautiful sun and view and contemplated the plans for the day. Since rain was predicted for Thursday, we thought we should do Campobello island  and a few sights there, so I packed a picnic  lunch and we headed out. What was once a short ferry ride from town across the Bay, now entails taking a circuitous route around the point to the bridge, which took a good 45 minutes in what seemed like the totally wrong direction! Because it was, as the crow flies!  Thankfully, our new friend Bob had told us the way, and we finally figured it out......heaven forbid someone should have a local map!!!.....and we drove to Lubec, Maine, and crossed over the bridge to the Canadian border. ( sure missing that iPhone map app!)

We stopped at the Roosevelt Cottage visitor center first, where surprisingly they had a park stamp! 

What was once FDR's summer home, is now the only International Park in the world, created by Lady Bird Johnson and the Mrs Lester Pearson, as a joint venture between the nations, and the cornerstones of the Reception area were laid by President Johnson and the prime minister  Pearson  in 1966.  Queen Elizabeth declared the building open in 1967. 

I'm sure lady bird had a lot to do with the inclusion of all the lovely flower gardens around the visitors center and the cottage, as she was instrumental in flowers being planted along our nations highways. 

The center was full of wonderful photos of the Roosevelts and their life and family story, and I learned that FDR was an energetic, athletic man who enjoyed many active pursuits  before becoming stricken with polio at the age of 39.  We wondered what had brought an American President to this Canadian island, but learned his parents had built a cottage there, and he had come every year since he was barely one year old, and he loved it, and  had his own cottage where he continued to come his entire life. 

We  saved the cottage for later viewing, and headed to the very tip of the island to see the West Quoddy Light, where during low tide, you can go down steps and walk across and up another set of steps right to the base. It sits beautifully perched on rocky cliffs, and I got some photos and we watched some whales in the bay, and had a picnic lunch!  Lovely spot, and we saw another eagle fly over!

We drove back and toured the 10,000 square foot "cottage", which had been enlarged as the family grew, but remained simple in nature and never had electricity or heat. 

Photo over mantle showed what it looked like when the Roosevelts used the house.  

Stove was a gift to the couple when they wed. 

It was one of the rare days when an adjacent cottage of a wealthy friend was open, so we got to see what was a more lavish Victorian cottage of the day, one of those built by Wealthy Bostonians, New Yorkers, and the like, who summered in the cool air and enjoyed the chilly waters. 

 The "cottage" had a great wrap around porch, with a stunning view, and gorgeous breeze.  I could just imagine sitting there sipping a drink on a nice day.

And the kitchen had this amazing circular window, framing the view from there.  The couple had seen it in England, and had it shipped there and installed when the house was being built.  

Yet another "cottage", where we had "Tea with Eleanor."

We had booked "Tea with Eleanor",  and wandered about the grounds a while, just enjoying the magnificent day, before heading  to yet another cottage where we were served tea and delicious cookies made on the grounds, and listened as three docents described the great lady, whom they all clearly loved and admired. We had learned a lot about this remarkable woman on a visit to Hyde Park a couple of years ago, and this gave us a glimpse into her summer life and habits, as well as some stories of her amazing character, and it was very interesting. We were given a book with her cookie recipes as a memento as we left, and were given time to look around and enjoy photos. 

Mulholland Light, New Brunswick

The view from Mulholland Light, across the bridge to US.   

One more stop just before leaving Canada, we stopped before the bridge at the Mulholland Lighthouse, which ceased operation with construction of the bridge, which contains warning lights, so the light was no longer needed.  We saw seals in the bay, appearing to play in the rapid currents and what looked like a whirlpool!  What a day! Whales, eagles and seals.....oh my! 

Then on to East Quoddy Lighthouse!

In Lubec, we drove the downtown area, which was quaint, but headed for the next must see, which was the East Quoddy Light, sitting at the easternmost point of the US, got the requisite photos of the  lovely candy striped lighthouse, then headed back to Eastport for lobster at the Chowder House, which our new friend Bob said was his favorite. Once the first canning house for seafood, now a modest little place that I would not have even thought about going into, at an out of the way location, it  served up some good  food, a great view, and some mighty fine Maine blueberry pie!  

 Fish canning started in this country in the 1870's at this town of Eastport, and on this dock sardines were canned.  When they lost popularity in the 1968, the cannery was turned into a restaurant.  

The lazy man's lobster, already out of the shell. 

mmmm....good!

Got back pretty late, and Bob and crew were out at the fire, so Clem fed the cats and I  walked over to thank him for his pointers and suffer his kidding about the late hour and quizzing about where we ate. Oh!  A picnic at the lighthouse!!  Well, you did have a nice day didn't you?!  Indeed we did! 

Ellsworth to Eastport and Eagles!

Tuesday was travel day, but a short drive, and no need for early departure, and no rain after all, so I made a quick trip back to the store to swap one of the things I bought, and Clem readied for our departure.  

Yet another Airstream, an older one like I had not seen before, and not the rounded bright metal,  had pulled in late and parked next to us, and as I was setting out, the gentleman was walking back to it, so I inquired if he was with the group.  No....he is actually here from the Netherlands!  Great accent!  Nice guy, and very willing to chat, and we discovered he was traveling up into Canada, and then ....who knows!!  I love it when people say that!  Wherever the whim takes you!  Your country is very large, he said!  He seemed pleased when I said his was lovely, and that we had seen it, and said yes.....but very small!  

Our travel took us up the coast on Rt 1, and while some of it was nicely paved, much of it was awful!!!!  Crumbling shoulders, heaves and bumps, and sometimes leaning toward the shoulder, and we rattled over it, and I struggled to hold the road and my teeth!!!  50MPH????  Who are they kidding??  I managed to keep it at a good pace, and the line of my new best friends following me didn’t seem to mind, as even when given the opportunity, they failed to pass me!  A 100 mile trip, made longer by the zig zagging along the coast, and slowing for towns, was never the less actually enjoyable as I got to see some of the cute little towns.  So much more enjoyable than highway driving.  

Suddenly, this giant blue dome appeared, and, amazingly, a very long and wide shoulder presented itself as I looked for a place to pull off.  Clem:  Carol....don’t stop!!  Me:  We’re good, and I am!!  I at least need to get a photo of this!  But it was a store full of wild blueberry everything, and he sat in the coach while I took his credit card, and I came back with some photos as well as some fresh from the oven blueberry scones and a bottle of wild blueberry syrup!  I lucked out, and the woman owner was there to answer a question, and I found out that they had a farm there, and in 99 had built this place themselves. They are also educating the public about wild blueberry land here Way Down East.  I never stopped smiling!  The park ranger in Acadia had mentioned that we could achieve happiness, derive pleasure, but nothing beats the little moments of joy, and it occurs to me that this was one of those silly little things that provided such a moment for me!  

We continued on, and I thought  the GPS had lost us, when it looked like we were driving into the ocean, but we soon pulled into our campground, and I could see why.....we are right out on the tip of a finger of land stretching out into the water!  And our campsite is on the tip of the tip!!  Wow!!!  I was blown away!  

Absolutely stunning site, with view of the  Passamaquoddy Bay (I love that word)  and across to Canada, with light houses popping up in several places......I jumped out and took photos before we even set up!  

We set up, pulled out the  chairs, and just plunked down and enjoyed what had turned into a beautiful weather day, and a magnificent, peaceful view.  

I had grabbed the camera, and we decided to take a walk around the campsite, and as we walked up the hill, a gentleman approached, and said he noticed I liked to take photos and proceeded to give us pointers on where to get some good ones, and then on to where we should go and where we might dine, etc, etc!  

Bob is a real character!  He is originally from Alabama, and spends 3 months here, and has a bunch of groupies who all gather for nightly bonfires (bring a chair and join us!), and pot luck dinners and the like.  He got a phone call as we chatted, and the camp owner informed him that they would be down to join him for  a drink, and he then had to “go prepare for the party he was apparently having!”  

We had a nice grilled  dinner outside enjoying  the view, and were sitting under our screen house to avoid a bunch of flying things that had accumulated when I heard someone yell CAROL!!  Can’t be me!!  Pretty soon Bob shows up....you two are sitting on your butts???   Didn’t you hear me call you?  EAGLE!!  He had his camera in hand, and had already gotten a few shots, when we heard OVERHEAD!  and it flew right over us!!  Wow!  I grabbed the camera and we watched, along with another camper who had his camera out, as the eagle took several trips back and forth, gathering food for a nest one of the women spotted across the tidal basin.  I have never seen a bald eagle that close, and it was so neat!  Wish I had responded to the earlier call!   Three of us with cameras spent quite some time, chatting and waiting for his next fly by, and snapping photos as he flew overhead.

The other man with a camera  was from Massachusetts,  and was headed to a place 4 hours north where the tide rises some 40 feet, reportedly the highest in the world. He wanted to hit it at low tide, so he could shoot photos up from the bottom.  It is pretty amazing here, with a reported 25 or 28 feet.  I need to find out more about tides when I get my google back, and we are not in international roaming charges!  We sat outside until darkness set in, and were awed by the view of the twilight through our windows when we came in. This is probably the best camp site we have ever had, and  Clem said he may finally have found someplace with a better view than our house.  

The view out the coach window.   Even the cat is enjoying it!

A quiet and satisfying rainy day.

Monday’s weather prediction showed  a 40 % chance of rain, and the morning was cloudy and threatening, so I opted for groceries and getting a few more things to complete my redecorating!  I left Clem to his train plans and headed out shopping!  What fun!  I made a quick decision to turn into a shoe store we had seen, even though I doubted its value, but was pleasantly surprised to find name brands, and good shoes, and came away with a new pair of sneakers and some cute sandals, all at great prices! 

 Then on to the mega Walmart, where I found, in addition to groceries, a new bedspread, at a ridiculously low price, that coordinates beautifully with the new rugs and pillows purchased a few days ago! I am very pleased with the makeover, which leaves the coach lighter and brighter.  I filled the car with gas and headed back, getting in just as the torrential rains began!  So much for 40% chance!  It poured, and the camp roads filled with huge puddles, and we read,  had a nice dinner,  and watched a movie.....dvd picked up at Walmart for $5....and enjoyed a quiet evening. Sometimes a rainy day is fun, but we do feel bad for the Airstream folks who are only here for 2 days, clearly not enough time even with good weather! 
  

                            

A Spectacular day for Scoodic Peninsula

Sunday, July 23

It may have been an 11, on a scale of 1-10!  The weather took a turn, and cooler, drier air with bright warm sunshine, and those clear blue skies with big white puffy clouds greeted us in the morning!  What a great day for a ride!  We had made a list because there are so many options of things to do or see, and the drive to the Scoodic Point won out! 

We  pulled over at first sight of the rocky coastline to  enjoy the view, and I climbed out on the rocks right to the waters edge, which was very neat, and a great spot for some photos, and a better view of a lighthouse across the water.  I wandered all the way out on the spit, while Clem sat on the rocks and just enjoyed the day for awhile.
             

We then  continued on our way to the point, which rewarded us with even more spectacular rocky views, and the opportunity to just relax and enjoy.  Folks had actually brought folding chairs, and were just sitting there, and I certainly understood! 

The dark areas were different molten materials that flowed ages earlier. 

On the way back we stopped at one of those many ice cream stands, and discovered delicious Gifford’s ice cream!  At first I was disappointed that the stand was called Blueberry Dairy, and they served a name brand ice cream, but boy, it was good!!  

A stop for a photo op of a Roadside Attraction, this huge lobster seemed to be catching the boat in front of the restaurant!

And a huge lobster man, which had once  carried a sardine can before that industry died off, and it was converted to a lobster trap.  He was taller than the telephone poles. 

And this lighthouse replica, not on my list, but worth a stop....I will have to submit to Roadside Attractions!  I have submitted several which have been accepted and published......why not another one!

We had spotted a lot of Airstreams that had checked in while we were out, and took an evening walk around the campground, for the exercise, as well as checking out the coaches, which we enjoy.  When a lady came out as we walked by, I asked if it was a convention, and she said it was a caravan!  All 24 of them had come from different parts of the country and converged in Road Island, and would be spending 40 days touring together.  Another woman, then the husbands soon joined in , and we swapped stories and had some laughs as the dark set in.  Seemed like a fun group, based on those four, and I’m sure they will have a great time.  

Cute little thing, known as a bambi!

24 Airstreams in one place is quite a sight!

Several times on this trip, we have seen two or more coaches pull in next to each other, and see the couples chatting and  enjoying the evenings around campfires, which is very fun.  We experience that when we travel with our club, and on a few trips with friends Lou and Roberta, and it enhances the experience.