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.

Before leaving the campground did take a walk down along the lake and found some beautiful settings.

 including this "take as you need" rack of children's life jackets.

Definitely could tell fall was in the air. Time to start our southern journey.

TEN DAYS IN HOPE August 24 - September 1, 2013

 From Harrison Hot Springs it was only a short hour drive to Hope, a small town with a huge outdoors! Settled into a valley along the Fraser River, it was a wonderful place to land for a week. We spent Saturday night at Hope Valley RV Park using our Passport America discount. Sunday morning we left early for Emory Creek Provincial Park hoping we'd find an empty site, and we did.  Only 31 campsites but absolutely beautiful in every way. Once we were set up we went to the Visitor Center in town for a map and list of things to see.  Top of the list are train tunnels now abandoned and used for biking, hiking and enjoying a beautiful gorge..

 A wedding party along the way...rain umbrellas and all.

 The town of Hope is know for its amazing wood sculptures...on EVERY corner of town.

 Another nearby sight to visit is Hell's Gate, a tram ride across the Fraser River at its most raging section.  It is one of the only descending gondolas in North America. We had a fantastic view of the historic landmark where 200 million gallons of water per minute roars through a 33 meter wide passage. The name came from a quote by Simon Fraser, 1801, "We had to travel where no human should venture for surely we have encountered the gates of hell."

 Throughout BC we frequently saw scenic roads signs.  Hope is along the Ranchlands and Rivers.

 We stopped to see the Alexandra Bridge, unused by vehicles since 1964.  It gives a glimpse of the scale of highways and bridges in the Fraser Canyon and Trans Canada highway and constructed in 1862.

 More views of the mighty Fraser

 From our campsite at Emory Creek we could see (and hear) trains traveling up and down both sides of the river 24 hours a day.

Our first campsite in the park, #9, tucked in against the hillside.

After 3 days we were able to move to a site right on the river. And there we stayed for the next 5 days.

Wednesday morning we were up early to make the trek back to Vancouver as the sealant we'd had put n our soft top was not sealing properly and it needed a second dose. It was a shorter waiting period so we had time to check out the history of Vancouver city at Fort Langley.

Another fun outing that week was to the historic little town of Yale. During the gold rush it was a boomtown of 30,000 in 1848, the largest city north of San Francisco and west of Chicago. Originally settled as a trading post for Hudson's Bay Co, it grew and became the main terminal for one of the largest stern wheeler routes of North America. Now all that remains is the museum with wonderful exhibits including a replica of Yale during gold rush times and the historic St. John the Divine Church. 

Paul tried his hand at panning for gold and did find a nugget or two.

We did check out the Saturday Market in Hope but spent most of our time enjoying the wooden sculptures around the town and following the bike trail around the city.

Since we'd been dry camping for a week it was time to move Sunday to a nearby park that provided electricity to recharge our batteries and refill water tanks. We moved only 10 minutes south into Hope, Telte-Yet Campground, so peaceful when we arrived, right on the Fraser again.  But by about 2:00 the wind came up off the river and blew like crazy! No way could we sit out and enjoy the view.

Rather than stay inside to avoid the wind, we took a drive up BC Highway 5, notorius for its severe climb and descents, and the reason we had decided not to go east over the Cascade Range to Kamloops.  We finished off the day with a hike at Kawkawa Lake and had a lovely afternoon.  Monday morning, also Labor Day in Canada, it was time to head back to the states.