roadquill1

As usual, it was a bit of a wrench to leave our Lindsay clan in Walnut Grove, and this year, the melancholy was a bit deeper perhaps, because they have sold the beautiful house. The good news is that they are moving into one of my favourite urban areas in BC – Fort Langley. (See also Atlin, and Kaslo!) So, although we were able to assist with a bit of ‘getting ready to move’, there is much to be done, and the move will still be in play when we return in mid-May.

Rather than plow through all the traffic circles down to Linden, we opted for the Pacific Border Crossing south of Cloverdale. Nice run from WG, and although we still don’t have our Nexus Passes, it was only a 20 minute wait at the border. The Border Guard was typically unreadable, and somewhat curt, but he asked “Where are you off to?” (I decided not to tell him that he shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition!)

“Santa Fe”.

“How long will you be gone?”

“About 5 or 6 weeks.”

“How much US cash are you carrying?”

“About $50.”

“That won’t get you very far.” (No smile, but WE thought it was hilarious!)

He followed up with a bunch of questions on our finances. What is it with this information requirement? (The Nexus Pass interrogation was another unsettling experience at the Vancouver Airport in mid-March.)

In any case, we are now on our way. We cleverly dodged Portland rush-hour traffic by hiding out at Fabric Depot. (We could have also hid out at Rockler Woodworking, but apparently it isn’t as safe.)

We arrived too late at Woodburn to do a check-in, so we chose a spot and asked a fellow traveller for the numerical key to the washrooms. Since I also found the password to the WiFi, all is well. We will now head for northern California before cutting east…unless we change our minds – a 50:50 chance!

Much love and best wishes to all!

Tony, (the Quill) and Sandy (the Quilter)