April 8, 2015 – How’s the Money Supply?
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)
roadquill1 
On the Road Again – that is a song……..
Margaret Carmichael
April 9, 2015 at 9:39 am
It is…and one of Sandy’s favourites from Willy Nelson! We used to begin all of our road trips with the ritual of “put on Willy”! (Sounds a tad crude, doesn’t it?) We now listen instead to NPR – CBC on steroids!
coastmariner
April 9, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Great to get all your news. Glad that you are on your way and impressed that Sandy won out on the fabric store.Not sure what is with you guys getting so much hassle at the border—you must have “the look” and I do suggest that you get the tatoos taken off before the next trip.
shirley
April 9, 2015 at 9:56 am
Glad that you had a good but nostalgic stay with the Walnut Grove family. Do enjoy the trip down. Sante Fe is such a wonderful city and area.
Drive safely. vi p. s. Sandy, good trick to pass time your in Portland with a trip to a fabric store. Beats being caught up in traffic. Tony, better put dibs on the place to stop next time.
Violet Brzovic
April 9, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Interesting your comments about the border crossing. The last time I entered Canada it was as bad an experience as entering the US (which has been bad for a long time – especially at LA which is a shocking airport). After being multi-questioned by a very unfriendly official re my intentions of coming to Canada (which was either the Van Games or something to do with it) I think I even muttered – look I really like coming to Canada but I live in Australia – and I don’t plan on changing that! Not sure it helped but made me feel better!
Getting in/out of the US sure changed from the time back in the 90s when I drove with Doug Martin from Nanaimo to San Diego to meet up with Noreen – so was in a Canadian car and was half asleep when went through border. Was a bit awkward talking my way out of the country at the LA airport a week or so later when I didn’t have an entry record!! Won’t be doing that again!! Tiny – I think you and Sandy were also in SD???
Have a great trip and look forward to the posts! One day I’m going to get a car/van and join you on the road!! xxx
Nicki
April 12, 2015 at 5:49 pm