One of the great "cabins" in our region is the old summer retreat of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Campobello.

It's worth a trip this summer, especially if you or an older relative have awareness of the late president. (Or if you would like to contemplate a leader who could actually run a country and manage a war).

Campobello is on the oceanside border of Canada, just past Lubec.

Though Acadia is one of the country's most visited national parks, likely 95 percent of those tourists don't go beyond the Bar Harbor area. Of course, close to 95 percent of Mainers haven't been to Campobello either.

(An aside: That 95 percent of locals might be a little high).

Anyway, the Roosevelt summer home has been well preserved by a U.S.-Canada commission.

The residence is just like it was 100 years ago, with furniture, utilities and decor the same as it was a century or so ago. Even the newspapers and magazines lying about on the coffee table are from that era.

Roosevelt served from 1933-1945 but he rarely visited as president.

His halcyon days were the turn of the century (he was born about 1883), and the residence and grounds represent that period.

The era conjures up some life-style elements no longer pervasive today: traveling long distances by train, enjoying vacations of two or three months, employing enough help to take care of all the extended family and guests that came along.

Roosevelt sailed, fished, and played tennis and lawn games during the day. At night, the young people read, played bridge or perhaps snuck into nearby Eastport for a big night.

Roosevelt didn't lose the use of his lower body until he was a young man, and the pictures of him romping around the property with family and friends capture a vital and handsome adventurer bursting with energy.

This was before TV, Internet and presumably, misuse of drugs and alcohol. The photos suggest a big happy family enjoying the summer on one of the most scenic and tranquil locales on the Maine coast. (An aside: What else would a federal commission with two PR staffs portray)?

FDR's "cabin" (and grounds) is a memorable historic attraction that also offers many miles of oceanside driving. This is a case where the trip getting there can be as entertaining as the destination itself.

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