August 8 -- Campobello

It was a chilly, cloudy dreary day with intermittent rain and we were exploring alternatives to get to the Roosevelt family summer home on Campobello Island, now an International Park, administered by both the US and Canada. Bob offered us his car, but then he could not spare it for the whole day, it being a 1.5 hour drive each way, taking the land route which is definitely the long way around. One entrepreneur offers to take passengers there and back to Eastport by boat for two hours including a tour of the home and lunch -- for $50. The two best ways included using ferrys (A) from Eastport to Lubec and then hitch hike across the bridge to Campobello, or (B) which I was inclined toward: ferry to Deer Island, and then a different ferry from Deer to Campobello. A total of $12, for a round trip passage on two ferrys and then hitch hike to the park. The ever friendly and helpful Bob intercepted us and said that there was a new dock near the Roosevelt cottage about two miles across the water and we could tie up there. This was clearly the best alternative and we took it.

A bit of excitement enroute, however. We motored such a short distance. Out there, in strong wind and current, the engine stopped. I switched to the other fuel tank and she restarted, but soon died again. Quickly we put out the small jib to maintain way. I feared to go to a dock in such wind with an iffy engine; if it failed at the wrong time, we would be soon washed onto the lee shore. We restarted and then dealt with an overwrap of the furling line on its drum but Bennett got that worked out. We dropped anchor near the new dock and changed the secondary fuel filter. This seems to have solved the problem.

FDR's parents brought him to this summer house when he was one year old in the 1880s, and he spent most of the summers of his youth here and returned with Eleanor as a successful New York politician in 1920 during which summer he contacted poliomyelitis here. He returned three times during his 13 years as President.

Admission is free and the guest reception center tells a bit about his life here in a 15 minute film and about his accomplishments on museum like posters in the reception center and outdoors.

I was impressed by the modesty of the home. No one-percenter hedge fund guy would be happy in a home with such a small living room.

They also allow tours of the Hubbard Cottage, he a real estate developer from Boston and she a concert pianist. This living room gives a new meaning to the word "picture window."

While Ilene stayed in the museum to rest, Bennett and I took a walk on one of the park's trials where we saw this field of flowers

and this view of Lubec, across the channel, with one of the salmon pen in the foreground. Lene sometimes claims she is not having a good time, but Nah!

 ILENE is anchored near that free dock, with the small Canadian fishing port of Welchpool, where we could have gone through Canadian customs, about 1.5 miles away, by land. And another view from the front lawn of the Roosevelt House.

We returned to Bob's for another Chowder House dinner, use of Bob's internet there and a good night's sleep.