The Round Rocks Of Campobello

They were looking at our pebble beach and could hardly believe it. “This is not man-made?”  I had to explain that winter storms would roll up tons and tons of round pebbles and small rocks creating the pebble beach along the Provincial Park and the Roosevelt Park. They had never seen anything like it and it had never occurred to me that there are lots of folks out there who have never seen a beach like this. Round like balls…..                                                   and not man-made beaches   Morning Fog over Friars Bay                              Pebble Beach along the Provincial Park   View from Raccoon Beach                                  Molly seeking to cool off a bit But this was just the beginning of their discovery tour across Campobello. When we stopped at Raccoon Beach they were in for another surprise. I could tell them that the Roosevelt children had loved this place and that they had spent many afternoons with their mother Eleanor down there below the cliff collecting ball-round rocks and bringing them home. My guests were from Virginia and they had their 2 small children, a cute girl and a smart boy, about 8yrs. old, with them. Could I create a similar experience for them? Of course.  My story about the round rocks and the Roosevelts triggered what I had expected. They wanted to go down the long stairway and look for those rocks. It didn’t take us long to find more than a handful of it and interestingly, it seemed that the adults had as much fun as the kids. Leaving Raccoon Beach they had gathered a small load of round rocks and a piece of unique looking driftwood. Raccoon Beach is the only place on Campobello where these rocks can be found. Why are these rocks that smooth and round? Raccoon Beach is exposed to a lot of strong surf from the Bay of Fundy. Winter storms roll these rocks back and forth. Thus they are shaped by the power of the wind and the sea made to fascinate generations of people visiting the shore.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Had A Nice Canada Day

Despite foggy conditions in the morning, the miracle happened: Just before the Annual Canada Day Parade the sun broke out and it turned really hot – and humid. I took our convertible and registered for the parade. When it was time to get rolling the darn thing didn’t start and before I knew it my battery was running too low. (the battery is really old) Quickly somebody came running with a jumper cable (normally I always carry one in this car) and then somebody pulled up with his car to give power. When the hood was open there wasn’t any battery visible in this thing. Since when did auto manufacturers hide the battery from view? That is plain stupid. Another car pulled up and there was no battery either, but this one had a jump start connect mounted, and it worked. So I was quick to run after the parade, which of course had left already. Had to bypass the last ambulance before I fell in with the rhythm of the parade. The floats in front of me threw candy out like I’ve never seen before. Kids were running around everywhere gathering all the goodies. From time to time started the ambulance behind me started started the sirens, leaving deaf for the next 5 minutes. I tried as best I could to blow my own horn, but I don’t think it had any effect. :-)) At 4pm we had 12 people wanting to go on a boat ride so they all gathered at the harbour and went out on the bay for 3 hours.

19 Firefighters Are Killed Battling Arizona Wildfire

Nineteen firefighters were killed battling a fast-moving wildfire menacing a small town in central Arizona, the United States Wildland Fire Aviation Service said on Sunday. The firefighters died fighting a fire near the small town of Yarnell about 80 miles northwest of Phoenix, the service said in a Facebook post. “It has been confirmed that 19 Wildland firefighters have lost their lives on the Yarnell Hill fire Arizona,” the post said. “I ask for prayers for the families and friends of these brave men and women.”   We do too.

Singing The Anthem

Campobello Island is Canada’s youngest and smallest incorporated community. Nevertheless has it always been a fun thing to celebrate Canada Day out here. And NO we do not have the most fancy Canada Day Parade in the country. but what counts is the engagement of the people being here. This year Canada Day is on a Monday. The local Canada Day Committee has been planning this long weekend with all kind of activities, most of these taking place in our Herring Cove Provincial Park. Whether it is the fact that July 01 is a Monday or whether other reasons have been weighing in – I don’t know, but I was sure surprised to find out that our National Anthem “O Canada” had been sung 2 days prior to Canada Day on Saturday June 29. Of course we missed it as we would never have anticipated this. Personally I do not like to take a celebration 2 days earlier just because people happen to have free . What is it gonna be next year when July 01 is a Tuesday. Would we have to sing O Canada 3 days early? I don’t either like to celebrate Christmas two days early or 3 days late just because it coincides with people having free. But then I am probably way too conservative to understand this new fashion. I will still hang our flag out tomorrow, July 01 CANADA DAY, and maybe I will stand behind it and sing the anthem for myself. O CANADA O Canada! Our home and native land True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise The true north, strong and free From far and wide, O Canada We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free O Canada! We stand on guard for thee O Canada! We stand on guard for thee.   Canadians where ever you may be on this Canada Day, celebrate it and be happy to live in a truly free country.