Paul and Julie on the Road: BACK IN THE USA September 3, 2013

Probably one of our most memorable events this year was our border crossing experience at Abbotsford, BC on Labor Day. For whatever reason, I thought going back into the states would be as "easy-breezy" as it was going INTO Canada. Oh, well, that's not quite the way it played out.

As we reached the border crossing we were asked several questions about what produce we were carrying. Being very honest, Yes, I did have some fruits and vegetables, and we were directed to pull over to the side and visit the Ag Inspector inside. I answered all their questions and with 15 minutes they were inside the motorhome removing all my wonderful fruits and veggies (I should have known better, of course) but not only the fruits and vegs but also my plants, Foster's dog food and then the compartment full of firewood purchased in Canada.

Little did we know that firewood CANT be brought in and disposed of in the US, so we were told to get the motor home in the north bound line to transport the Canadian firewood back to Canada. Paul asked if we could carry rather than join the long line of cars entering Canada and they kept saying, "but there's so much of it, Sir. I don't think you'll be able to carry it all".

They obviously don't know Paul and his creative abilities. Soon he was emptying a large plastic box, added the wood and a long rope and we started the trek back across the border.

We offered it to many campers going in, but no takers. Once we were back in Canada we took the wood into the Border Patrol office, showed passports and papers from the US and were sent to pile the unwanted wood along a back fence.

When we got to the drop off area we met up with 2 other Americans with much bigger worries than us with the wood...they had just purchased a Russian made vehicle, loaded it onto a dolly to transport back to US when they were told it was not legal at all and were sent back to Canada with it. So, here sat two bothers trying to figure out what to do with their new purchase, their rented truck and dolly with no way of getting into the states. We wished them well, walked back across the border and began our drive into Washington state, lesson learned.

Our destination was about and hour and a half south to Rasar State Park. A gorgeous park with tons of empty campsites.

We chose a pull through site in the lovely wooded park.

After getting set up we definitely needed a walk to enjoy the park. It's set right along the Skagit River with plenty of open space for walking and biking and eagle watching. The park also has some darling wood cabins across the road from the entrance of the park.

This was getting near salmon season and we saw many fly fishermen on the banks.

Along our walk we saw some amazing mushroom formations...some Ive never seen before!

On our bike ride the next day we rode out of the park and found a new area being developed with amazing prices for one acre lots. Chatted with an owner and even met the agent selling the sites, not that we would ever move to this area, but it sure looked inticing.

We spent two days at the beautiful park then headed south to Flowing Lake County Park. It was north of Seattle but within driving distance. Beautiful but definitely not easy to get to with our big rig, don't think we'd go back, especially since the posted rate of $28 had a $7.50 nightly fee attached. We spent a bit of a stressful day here, to say the least, buying a new SAAB on eBay from a not so honest seller in Seattle. Long story, but with an OK ending.

Our main reason for this park was to spend a bit of time with our nephew, Zachary, living in nearby Edmonds. We met him for lunch and had a short but sweet visit. We talked a lot about New Zealand since he had just spent a month there with his girlfriend.