Our work list for today was empty so we were free to fiddle around and go exploring. Today the destination was Blaine, WA, just a mile or two from our campground at Birch Bay TT. Blaine is a very tidy and attractive town snuggled right up to the U.S./Canada border where former do-gooders have erected an arch directly on top of the line between the two nations’ vehicle checkpoints. The arch is called the Peace Arch but could probably be more appropriately be named the Arch Between the Idling Cars. On the U.S. side, there is also a very nice Peace Arch State Park with meticulously manicured grounds, gorgeous botanical displays, striking outdoor sculptures, ample parking and attractive buildings. We found our way in on Second Avenue and strolled around the park a bit. It was very pleasant.
We also tried to ride something called the Historic Plover Ferry. It is listed on a list somewhere as the world’s shortest ferry route since it travels from the Blaine waterfront to Semiahmoo (pronounced Semiahmoo) Spit, a sand peninsula plainly visible about 300 yards from the dock. When we approached the ferry dock in Blaine, we counted heads and realized we were going to be obliged to wait at least an hour before we could take the boat ride. We bolted.
We drove around town a bit checking out some magnificent residences in Blaine before driving the few miles to Semiahmoo Spit to catch the ferry on the other end. Unfortunately, the pilot was a prick and pulled out after we were already on the dock but not on board. We may forgo the ferry ride since, by driving to a myriad of locations, even myopic folks can see and anyone can drive to both ends of the ferry ride in minutes.
We thought we needed to be rewarded for our failures so we went back to Birch Bay TT and broke out some sandwiches and porter.
There’s a few pictures if you click here