Road to America
Point Roberts – a geographical feature with a political anomaly. Apparently, the British and Americans weren’t aware of a small peninsula out west when they drew a straight line across the map to determine the border. Oops, maybe some surveying would’ve been nice. High school students have to cross the border twice each way before being able to school on mainland Washington State.
Marina in Point Roberts
Point Robert is usually quiet on weekdays, but due to lower tax and postage rates within the US, many Vancouverites will shop online and get their items posted to a P.O. box in Point Roberts. While they’re collecting their mail, they’d also fill up on gas to take advantage of subsidised fuel prices. My tip? Borrow your cousin’s bike, get a bus pass and ride your way across to the US. Immigration is a breeze since pedestrians are able to skip the queue.
Pebble stack
I took the 601 from Bridgeport Station to get all the way to 2nd Avenue at Boundary Bay. I only had to cycle two blocks to get to the border. Canada Post was on strike that week so I mailed a letter using USPS there, having no American currency on me, I bought lunch with a $10 looney bill and received enough change in USD to mail domestic to a friend in California. Among the attractions are a small aerodrome, a marina, a beautiful sandy beach, and a steel-rig lighthouse.
I brought my cousin’s bicycle across the border
Do visit if you love geography and the seemingly endless Pacific Ocean. I can be calming to loose mobile connectivity and skyscrapers for a few hours.
Pros:
- Stores may accept Canadian currency
- Gas is cheap, liquor is cheap
- Very, very pretty
- Fun and safe bike trails for beginners looking to explore off-road options
Cons:
- There’s not much to do but meditate, it can be lonely
- The border police will ask you a lot of questions
Why? Just to say I’ve cycled across a border.
