Blaine, Washington, just a ditch away from Canada

 Monday, July 14



The next 4 or 5 days were my favorite as Vialula and I got to catch up with some friends we have met while traveling.  We grabbed the Amtrak train (clickety clack!) out of Vancouver's Pacific Station and headed down to Bellingham Washington to meet up with Marci and Gary Harris, our friends from the 2019 World Cruise.  



Marci & Gary celebrating Gary's birthday aboard the Amsterdam in 2019

After the U.S. border patrol came aboard for a cursory look at our passports, we were allowed to move into the good ol’ USA.  They helped us pick up a rental car and we spent the day and night with them at their house in Blaine, Washington which is right on the Canadian border.


They took us out for lunch to Semiahmoo, one of their favorite places nearby, where we had a bite, caught up a bit, and then walked about.  The sun was out in full now, and the place was beautiful.  Hydrangeas and lavender, oysters and eagles, with a few seals sunning themselves were among the sights we saw. We could also see their house across the bay, so Marci says!







Next up on today's excursion, Peace Park (not to be mistaken for Peach Park!).  This stunning park is right on the US/Canadian border.  The Peace Memorial Arch is the centerpiece, and the USA flag in flowers on one side and the Canadian flag in flowers on the other side.  Marci insisted on photos.  The beauty was hard to capture, and the combinations were endless, but photos we have! (see below) There is a neighborhood street there where one side of the ditch is USA, and the other is Canada.  We waved at our Canadian friends.  They waved back.









As the afternoon unfurled, Gary walked us out to his hobby oyster farm, right out in Drayton Bay in front of their home.  At low tide we harvested a couple dozen oysters (they were 2-3 years old).  LeRoy pulled the bags up, Gary reached in and dropped them in the bucket that Vi held. 






We took them back to the house where LeRoy and Gary shucked and prepared them.  Some we ate raw, some were roasted Rockefeller style.  Needless to say these were the freshest oysters we’ve ever had.  Down at the beach, we eat them with horseradish and hot sauce, but these Pacific oysters were very sweet, not salty at all.  What an interesting AND delicious hobby!



After a delicious dinner that night (apparently, steaks take as long as the cigar takes!), several rounds of Pinochle and Kings in the Corner were played.  It was just like being on the Amsterdam a few years back.  Time may pass, but friendships are still the best souvenirs.



The next morning, it was time to say good-bye over coffee and the best continental breakfast in the most beautiful setting ever, their front porch.  We watched crows chase eagles as we drank our coffee and visited with neighbors who were on their morning walk, all the while promising we’ll stay longer next time, and y’all come see us soon!

LeRoy, Vi, Marci & Gary






Location: Peace Arch Historical State Park, 123 2nd St, Blaine, WA 98230, USA

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