There is something about waking up to the sounds of the waves crashing. Even just the sound seems to make all the other cares in the world leave... you are at one with the ocean.
After going for a jaunt on the beach before the sun came up, mom and I were treated to a fantastic breakfast by our hosts. And then... it was time to tally the purchases (we were only allowed to bring back $400 each and we were a little nervous about how much we would have to pay at the border... Alistair was looking pretty full...) and get back on the road.
The road north was gorgeous; along the coast until we hit the Shell gas station only 1/2 mile from Long Beach. We were at a fork in the road: do we go an extra 1/2 mile and see what this Long Beach is all about or do we continue on our merry way so we can hit up Nanie's place for dinner? I opt for dinner, Nanie is an amazing cook. Mom shrugs and we continue on our way.
Not 5 minutes later, "sssssssiiiiiiggggghhhh... I guess your father and I will come back and we'll go to Long Beach", "...... I guess an extra 1/2 mile would have been a long drive...", and so on and so on. And with that, we're on the way to the border.
The freeway is long and tiring and man before we know it, it's rush hour and we're stuck. Being stuck in traffic is a bitter-sweet event - on one hand, we're stuck in traffic, wasting precious petrol. On the other hand - it gives us a great chance to compare our stories for the border guard... it also gives us a chance to drive through Everett, WA and right past the Mole Funeral Home and Cemetery. Get it? Mole? Cemetery? Moles make holes? Ok.... moving on...
After making it to the border, we were tired of being in Alistair and hungry for some good ol' Nanie cooking. We are 'green-lighted' and approach the booth:
Border Guard: Where are ya'll from?
Me: Calgary
Border Guard: Where ya'll heading?
Me: My grandma's place - literally a 4 minute drive from where we are.
Border Guard: How much did ya'll spend?
Me: About $500.
After going for a jaunt on the beach before the sun came up, mom and I were treated to a fantastic breakfast by our hosts. And then... it was time to tally the purchases (we were only allowed to bring back $400 each and we were a little nervous about how much we would have to pay at the border... Alistair was looking pretty full...) and get back on the road.
The road north was gorgeous; along the coast until we hit the Shell gas station only 1/2 mile from Long Beach. We were at a fork in the road: do we go an extra 1/2 mile and see what this Long Beach is all about or do we continue on our merry way so we can hit up Nanie's place for dinner? I opt for dinner, Nanie is an amazing cook. Mom shrugs and we continue on our way.
Not 5 minutes later, "sssssssiiiiiiggggghhhh... I guess your father and I will come back and we'll go to Long Beach", "...... I guess an extra 1/2 mile would have been a long drive...", and so on and so on. And with that, we're on the way to the border.
The freeway is long and tiring and man before we know it, it's rush hour and we're stuck. Being stuck in traffic is a bitter-sweet event - on one hand, we're stuck in traffic, wasting precious petrol. On the other hand - it gives us a great chance to compare our stories for the border guard... it also gives us a chance to drive through Everett, WA and right past the Mole Funeral Home and Cemetery. Get it? Mole? Cemetery? Moles make holes? Ok.... moving on...
After making it to the border, we were tired of being in Alistair and hungry for some good ol' Nanie cooking. We are 'green-lighted' and approach the booth:
Border Guard: Where are ya'll from?
Me: Calgary
Border Guard: Where ya'll heading?
Me: My grandma's place - literally a 4 minute drive from where we are.
Border Guard: How much did ya'll spend?
Me: About $500.
Mom: About $457.
Border Guard: Have a good drive, ladies.
Me: ...
Mom: ...
We enter Canada and we're stunned. We came up with fantastic stories about our trip and we were so ready to pay duty on our purchases. It felt like you get to climax and then suddenly a vision of David Suzuki appears in your head and everything just deflates.
Finally, Nanie opens the door and we're there for dinner and and a quick 3 hour sleep before we header back onto the highway so we can get to Cowtown so I can hit up my evening event.
Mom was awfully patient of me. I mean - seriously - we travelled almost all day without going for food or a pee-break. She listened to my music, no matter how badass it was. She put up with my overly aggressive driving and excessive speeds. And she put up with my potty mouth, which, I am actually working on toning down.
It was a fantastic trip.
Border Guard: Have a good drive, ladies.
Me: ...
Mom: ...
We enter Canada and we're stunned. We came up with fantastic stories about our trip and we were so ready to pay duty on our purchases. It felt like you get to climax and then suddenly a vision of David Suzuki appears in your head and everything just deflates.
Finally, Nanie opens the door and we're there for dinner and and a quick 3 hour sleep before we header back onto the highway so we can get to Cowtown so I can hit up my evening event.
Mom was awfully patient of me. I mean - seriously - we travelled almost all day without going for food or a pee-break. She listened to my music, no matter how badass it was. She put up with my overly aggressive driving and excessive speeds. And she put up with my potty mouth, which, I am actually working on toning down.
It was a fantastic trip.
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