BOSTON BAR, B.C. TO MOUNT VERNON WA

After leaving our riverside campground, and driving under the very low railroad bridge, we drove the last few miles through the Fraser River Canyon.  This drive from about Cache Creek to Hope, has always been a favorite of mine, especially with the railroad on each side of the canyon.  The town of Hope is at the end of the canyon, where it was back on the freeway for about 25 miles to the turn off for the U.S. Border crossing at Sumas.   

The lineup of vehicles caused us to slowly move forward for about 10-15 minutes, before handing our passports to the "cute" (Nancy's description) customs officer.  The usual questions, and we were back in the good ole U.S.A.  Just down the road, we filled the motor homes with diesel, and headed for our destination, the Thousand Trails Park near Mt. Vernon, WA.  My first choice was to stop at an RV park near the harbor at Port Townsend, but they were full, so the T.T. park was the second choice.
Today, we'll drive out onto Whidbey Island, then take the ferry across to Port Townsend, where we'll pick up Hwy 101, and head south.

It is indeed a small world, which was reinforced yesterday, while we were parking the motor homes at Mt. Vernon.  I had backed our motor home into a space, and was helping Nancy get her rig parked a short distance away, when I looked back at Patty, who was talking to a couple of people near our motor home.  Nothing new, Patty talks to everybody.  I didn't pay much attention, until I started walking back to where she was standing.  Low & behold, Lynn & Dave Cross, friends who we first met after joining the Golden Spike RV Chapter, were also parked here at the T.T.  They follow the blog, and knew that we had just crossed the border, but didn't know we were coming to Mt. Vernon.  We had a nice visit, including our first look at their magnificent new 5th wheel.    
  

Back at the very dirty house and Jeep, it was time for a BBQ dinner of steak for me, and salmon for the girls.  It's been 6 days of driving, since we left Tok, Alaska, covering 2,019 miles.  For me, driving has never been a chore, only an adventure as to what's around the next corner, or over the next hill.  Except for a few aches and pains, resulting from long days behind the wheel, the quick drive south was no big deal for me.  I have to say that our pal Nancy has been a real trooper, and a great traveling partner.  She's handled the narrow, winding roads, the dust, the gravel, the idiot drivers,  the construction zones, and the long hours of driving with not the slightest complaint.  When it's time to go, she's always ready, and only occasionally asks for help.  There aren't many challenges greater for an RV owner, than driving your rig to Alaska and back, and our friend has handled it better than most men I know!  Good job girl!

Miles traveled - 134  Total miles since leaving Tucson - 7,795
Mt. Vernon Thousand Trails $0  Total RV parks - $1,436.09
Diesel - Everson Union 76, 60.3 Gals @ $4.08 Gal = $246.01
Total Fuel expense - $4,539.11  MPG 6.3  Avg. MPG - 7.9