Roosevelt Cottage

Sunday, July 23, 2017

We woke up early and were packed and ready for breakfast at 0730 Breakfast consisted of homemade blueberry muffins and coffee. We hit the road at just before 0800 for our long hour and 5 minute ride. Luckily for us we time traveled when we hit Canada saving us an hour of driving. We made it across the border to Campobello Island and arrived at the Franklin Roosevelt Cottage at 0905 Canadian Atlantic Daylight Time. The park although on Canadian soil is an international park shared by the United States and Canada. The visitor center did not open until 1000 but Carol talked to one of the ladies showing up for work and she put us on a list for our Tea with Eleanor tickets. More on that later. We strolled around the grounds for a while getting some much needed exercise. It is a beautiful day, sunny with a nice cool crispness in the air. This is just what we were hoping for. At 1000, we get our tickets, watch a film about Franklin Roosevelt and his time spent on the island, and check out the exhibits.

Wells Shober Cottage

It is then time for us to walk over to the Wells Shober Cottage for our tea with Eleanor. We get free tea and cookies while two guides tell us tales and stories about Eleanor Roosevelt. She used to have tea and cookies here so that is why they do this. The stories are fascinating and the two ladies are very enthusiastic about Eleanor’s life. She was very influential in civil rights, women’s right to vote, and many other political matters. She wrote a journal of sorts every day for, I think it was over 30 years, and this was syndicated. She only missed 4 days and that was when her husband died. I found it interesting how when Franklin Roosevelt was sick with polio and lost the use of his legs, the press knew it but did not publish it. He was beginning his campaign for presidency and as our Canadian guide said, they did not leak this out of respect, something that is lacking in todays journalism. I could not agree with her more.

Carol at Friars Head Point

After tea, we take a hike to Friars Head lookout. It is about 1.8 miles round trip, with some fairly steep uphill at the end. The panoramic view across the bay to Maine and beyond is worth the climb. We finish the hike a little before 2 0’clock and go back over the bridge to Maine. When I told the U.S. customs agent that we were going back into Canada at Calais for the better part of two months, he asked if we were emigrating. “Just dodging the draft”, I told him. We drove to Calais, filled up the tank with the last cheap gas for a while, and crossed the border.

St Andrews Blockhouse

We arrived in the town of St Andrews at 3:35 and stopped to see the St Andrews Blockhouse. This was a small fortification built during the War of 1812. There were three 18 pound cannons outside and one smaller one inside the block house. The fortification was mainly built to keep privateers from looting and sinking British vessels. We learned that privateers were hired by both sides to do this so I guess they were a type of mercenary. The blockhouse worked as no ships were ever bothered in the harbor below.

Way to Ministers Island

From the blockhouse, we drove the short way to Ministers Island. This was a last minute addition to our itinerary and we are glad I found it. Our timing was also good as you can only access the island at low tide for about 4 hours. Today, they opened at 4 0’clock which is when we arrived. You drive onto the island but it is only accessible during the low tide when a half mile long spit appears for you to drive on. It is the bottom of the bay and at high tide is under 14 feet of water. If you don’t get off the island in time, you are stuck. It is interesting as you drive across with water on both sides of you.

Van Horne Estate

Once we pay our entrance fee, we head up to the house of William Van Horn, a railroad baron who used to own the island. The estate home has 50 rooms and we do a self-guided tour. The rooms have displays that tell about the family occupants as well as the servants that lived there. The last Van Horn heir was selling the home off and the Province bought it and now a nonprofit group has been restoring things for the last few years adding period furniture.

By Train Of Course

William Van Horne started with Illinois Railway working as a ticket agent. He worked his way up to Division Superintendent and then was hired to undertake the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He became President of the CPR in only 4 years. The government gave him 10 years to complete the railroad and he did it in 5. He also worked on the railroads in Cuba and Guatemala. Although he remained an American citizen, thus not being eligible for knighthood, he somehow was still knighted by the Queen for his efforts. We also toured other buildings on the property, a windmill, a leading edge gas plant for heat and power, a carriage house, and a bath house built by the sea. He also had a natural pool dug out by the bath house which filled with water at high tide, got heated by the sun at low tide to swim in, and then self-cleaned at the next high tide. We really enjoyed our time here.

Haddock and Lobster Roll

After we left the Island, we stopped at the Clam Digger shack for a lobster roll and some haddock and chips. We ate our meal on their shaded picnic table, a quick no fuss, no muss dinner stop. Then on our way to our final destination. We ended our historical day at the small burg of Penobsquis arriving at our Motel at 0815. This sets us up for an easy drive to Fundy National Park which we will be exploring the next two days.

Expenses in Canadian Dollars (except for today’s gas)                                                      Gas 23                                                                                                                                  Ministers Island 20 CAD                                                                                                                 Dinner at Clam Digger 26 CAD                                                                                                Pine Cone Motel 99.75CAD