Campobello Island – pretty exotic name for an island settled by Brits, huh?
Another after-work Friday nite flight. Early a.m. in Manchester NH, grabbed 5 hours sleep, then hit the highway with my friend Stephen – destination: New Brunswick, Canada.
5+ hour trek across all of Maine. Sunny skies, warm summer temps.
Arrived in Lubec – quick pic at the easternmost town in the US – then 2 miles to FDR Memorial Bridge, our border crossing into Canada. 2 provinces in 2 weeks: Rocky Mtn west [last Sunday], now Atlantic Ocean east. Big grin.
Campobello Island is located in the Bay of Fundy, known for having the highest tidal range in the world. Top of today’s sightseeing list: an ocean walk to Head Harbour Lightstation.
Campobello Island is an island located at the entrance to Passamaquoddy Bay, adjacent to the entrance to Cobscook Bay, and within the Bay of Fundy. The island is one of the Fundy Islands and is part of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada.
The greatest tides in the world occur in the Bay of Fundy…. Burntcoat Head in the Minas Basin, Nova Scotia, has the greatest mean spring range with 14.5 metres (47.5 feet) and an extreme range of 16.3 metres (53.5 feet).
sleeping in US (Eastern), marathoning in Canada (Atlantic)
Visitors Center (maps, restaurant info & sightseeing musts), marathon bib pick-up upon entering New Brunswick & my 2nd Canadian National Park (ya’ll know I’m a FAN).
Roosevelt Campobello International Park was created as a memorial to US President Franklin D Roosevelt – whose family built a summer home on the Island. Who knew, right? During my 50 State Quest, visited the homes of Thomas Jefferson & Abraham Lincoln PLUS the Clinton Presidential Library. Never expected to be touring another American president’s home…while in Canada. HA!
Roosevelt Cottage was over-the-top staffed; knowledgeable guides spouting Roosevelt facts on each floor, in each room. Coming from a middle-class upbringing, didn’t leave feeling a close kinship with Roosevelts – interesting exploring their era though. Talk ’bout lifestyles of the rich & famous. Kinda like the mansion walk in Newport RI; same time period, same old $$.
…it was a nationalistic movement in the 1880’s that turned wealthy visitors away from Europe to spend summers in America. Wealthy people with extensive leisure time flocked to resorts like Newport, Bar Harbor, St. Andrews, and Campobello.
Snagged an oceanview lunch, then travelled to the eastern edge of Campobello — to Head Harbour Lightstation. Unfortunately, missed low tide by several hours. No worries. Soaked in the ocean smell, gazed out across the water. Beautiful day. Lucky in life.
All essential to-do’s checked off the list. I’d see this lighthouse again during tomorrow’s 42.2 🙂
Dinner & lodging accommodations in Maine. Short return drive; east-west only 10 miles of road on this Fundy isle. Snapped a pic at the International Boundary Line.
Sunshine & warm ocean breezes ALL DAY — good one to be a tourist.
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- easternmost town in the USA
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- O’ Canada!
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- proud stat: 2 weekends, 2 [Canadian] National Parks
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- Roosevelt Cottage – summer home to our 32nd President
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- the Roosevelts
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- lunching like a Roosevelt: Passamaquoddy Bay Lobster Roll
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- Bay of Fundy
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- ocean walk to Head Harbour Lightstation
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- missed low tide by 7 hours – ho, hum
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- Head Harbour Lightstation — whole lotta water, no ocean walk today
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- FDR Memorial Bridge
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- USA shore: Lubec, Maine
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- Canadian side: Mulholland Point Lighthouse
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- US-Canada Boundary Line
Campobello Island, New Brunswick
Past two months, have topped 200 miles/month – that’s a lotta morning treks 🙂 #happyendorphins
Decided to share a few morning faves over the upcoming months, in a new segment titled ‘morning run series’.
Kicking off things with my local ‘go-to’ run – whenever short of time but still wanna post a quick 5 miles. Literally step out the front door, trek Louisville to Lafayette, circle 2 reservoirs & catch a high Colorado sunrise over our local Flatiron peaks. FAAANNNTASTIC!
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- LOVE LOVE my Colorado life!
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- 2-mile cool down w/ my best mate Ro
morning run series: Waneka Lake
After a play day in Banff & a pre-marathon Canadian wedding (another first – LOL>), slept in for a late 9am race start – first marathon outside the U.S., first all-kilometer trek (42.2K), first of my Canadian Province Quest (10 provinces, 5 years).
Canadian blogger friend Sarah pulled up in her Jeep rental, armed with bagel & peanut butter. Curbside pick-up. Pretty sweet, huh? Canmore to Banff – 20 minutes. On-street parking, short walk to Banff’s Central Park, 10K road race already in progress.
Layered up, trusting the day’s forecast: rain would stop, temps remain cool, wind breezy.
Small field of marathon runners, quick pop & we’re off. One, two kilometers in town, then dropped onto a bike path which paralleled Trans-Canada Highway 1 to Johnston Canyon in the Park. Pine & marshy meadows high-fenced to contain wildlife from entering the highway. Vista views of the Park’s high chiseled peaks – STUNNING!
Unfortunately the distance between markers (miles vs km) wasn’t noticeably different – my first experience with kilometers – but the incremental # of markers, a bit overwhelming. 100% mental. 17, 18, 19 – nope, still not halfway.
Parks Canada asked us to pass on this notice (Issued June 1st):
The Wolf activity has been very active in the Banff Region.
WHAT: Wolf warning
WHERE: Bow valley of Banff National Park, including campgrounds and day use areas.
WHY: Wolves have shown bold behaviour and accessed human food in a campsite.
Never approach, entice or feed wildlife.
Ensure all food, garbage, and pet food are stored inside a building or vehicle.
Supervise children and keep pets on a leash at all times.
If you are approached by a wolf, act aggressively to discourage it from approaching.
Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Please report all carnivore sightings to Banff Dispatch: 403-762-1470
Route Change (Announced June 16, 2016)
Due to the increased and consistent wildlife presence, mainly wolf and bear activity, Parks Canada has determined that the Half and Full Marathon courses will be adjusted. As a result, Parks has granted runners exclusive access to the renowned Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail Route.
This beautiful route will still offer an accurate and fully serviced course for the participants. The Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail was built in honour of Banff National Park’s 125th Anniversary. The trail is a testament to, and celebration of the values of the national park, encouraging visitors and Bow Valley residents to explore the landscape in an environmentally friendly way.
toujours frais
An impromptu lap was added between kilometers 16 & 25, because of wildlife concerns. Elite runners passed on the left…weird to be lapped, then to lap others as the race drug on.
30K achieved, loop craziness ended. Thin air, strong headwind – but no heat.
Instinctively knew I was finally returning to Banff centre. 12 kilometers to go – a 10K run is 6.2 miles, must be just over 7 miles left. Whole lotta estimating.
Had never previously seen a ‘40’ marathon marker. Exact same wave of relief as passing mile 25 in the States 🙂 Couldn’t yet see the Finish but knew it was coming. Turned off Bow Ave, short ‘city’ trek, then up Banff Ave to Central Park.
Banff MARATHON FINISHER – Alberta, first of my Canadian 10!!
2016 Banff Marathon
Congratulations K R on completing, with a finish time of: 4:48:40
Shared a walk along Banff’s Bow River with my pal Sarah, before hustling back for a hotel shower & autobahn return to Calgary – 630 flight home, work in the morning. No post-marathon lasagna this day…had to stomach Tim Hortons (fast food Canadian). Ho hum. Celebrated belated Dad Day [on] Thursday with steak & grilled corn – lovin’ me some summer (thanks Ash & Tom). YUM!
Next weekend: Campobello Island, New Brunswick
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- 42.2 kilometers
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- first of my Canadian 10
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- Banff’s Bow River w/ Sarah
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- scenic FINISH — LOVE the Canadian Rockies, WOW!
