Our first morning in Bellingham began at 5:30 am with non-stop wake up sounds from the grumbling of 18 wheeler exhaust breaks and jumbo jet landings and take offs. The park is next to the freeway and under the landing flight pattern of the airport. Bellingham RV Park is small, very clean but not peaceful, beginning with the wee hours of the morning.

Next few days will be spent in interviews with US and Canadian governments in Blaine for our Global Online Enrollment System Nexus border crossing cards along with the uninteresting household tasks of dog laundry and KatieBug grooming, our laundry, vacuuming the dusty shades and general cleaning of our box on wheels.

Our first experience with the Nexus card procedure began with a wrong turn on the way to the office. We got in the wrong lane and ended up having to wait in a mile long line to cross over into Canada, a quick U-turn to come back into the USA and correct turns leading us to the NEXUS office. John jokingly said we could jump the curb and turn around illegally. I think not, especially when you have friends who’s daughter and son-in-law, both border patrol agents, might come running with guns drawn and we could totally embarrass numerous Americans, including ourselves, by getting arrested.

When I arrived for my appointment and was called back to the desk, the Canadian supervisor asked if the man sitting next to me was my husband and did he have an appointment. When I said “yes”, but the appointment was for tomorrow, she laughed and went to the waiting room to collect him. We both finished our interviews and chatted about full-timing.

I don’t think she realized what a diehard American patriot I am when she asked if we traveled with weapons. Bear spray, we were told, is not considered a weapon. Our spray can has traveled with us since Alaska, tucked away and forgotten.

When I told the Canadian supervisor that I had thought about carrying a shot gun but I didn’t want to splatter the RV with blood and damage the inside with buck shot, her eyes opened wide, her mouth dropped open and she gave us a horrified look, gravely telling me that I could not shoot humans with shotguns, only game! The US agent almost fell off her chair laughing and my confused expression made her laugh even harder. She excused herself, being pregnant and needed a restroom break, and when she returned she told us that her co-workers and our expressions were priceless. Apparently in Canada you cannot shoot someone who breaks into your home, even if the burglar is armed with a gun. Being a Texan, I thought self-defense was a given…but it isn’t in Canada. I swear, when I asked her what I should do if a robber with a gun broke into our motorhome while we were in Canada, she seriously said “call the police”, which set off another wave of laughter by the US agent and a surprised and disbelieving look from John and I.

We were both approved for our cards but warned, no shooting people in Canada unless we wanted to be arrested.

We finished off the day having dinner by the harbor in the town of Bellingham and enjoyed a brisk walk through Boulevard Park watching the tide and thick fog roll in with not even a slight chance of a photo opportunity.

Beginning of another plain Jane day. KatieBug got a bath and mani/pedi while we spent the day running from raindrops in-between performing normal everyday life duties and responsibilities. The wind shook the RV and our slide toppers vibrated, adding to the road and sky noises. Going to be difficult staying asleep tonight.

Foggy overcast day but one not to waste as we only had 24 hours left.  We drove to Vancouver, allowing me to cross off another adventure from my “Bucket List”, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, and as John is not comfortable with heights, he tagged along mostly for the scenery and a buddy for KatieBug.

Mary Agnes Capilano was born in 1836 before Europeans began to settle the West Coast of Canada. Her Indian name was Lay-Hu-Lette, which means “Beginning of the World”. Mary’s parents came from two different Nations, Yakutat and Squamish. These Nations had a long history of violence. Being the first child, her birth brought the nations together and sealed peace between them that has never been broken.

Mary’s family was a pivotal part of Vancouver’s history. In 1792 her Grandfather, George Mathias, welcomed Captain Vancouver of the Royal British Navy when he discovered Vancouver. Her father was a chief as was her husband and oldest son.

Mary was baptized “Princess of Peace” and she more than lived up to her name. After her marriage to Chief Joseph Capilano, she welcomed the first Missionaries to the Capilano tribe and, with her husband, built the first church on the reserve. She welcomed dignitaries, royalty and local and federal politicians. Deeply respected among her people for her speaking and language talent, she brought together different tribes and families to pursue common goals.

Both Mary and Joseph were well known for their peace negotiation skills, encouraging cooperation between European settlers and First Nations people of British Columbia’s coastline. The river, formerly known as Homulcheson River, became known as the Capilano River in the early 1900’s to honor Chief Joseph Capilano.

The Park is dedicated to environmental stewardship, reducing environmental impact beyond those required by governmental permit or rule, conserving natural resources and ensuring long-term sustainability.

A totally fitting atmosphere for this former Environmental Health Consultant, it was a joyous hike up and down stairs and pathways constantly followed by the overwhelmingly fragrant newly repaired Cedar fences.

The Bridge, complete with one 450 feet long, 230 feet high, reassuringly wobbly walkway that swings and sways as tourists traverse. It can hold 200,000 lbs or 1,300 people standing on it or parade 96 elephants across the bridge, no problem…at least not for the bridge, good luck getting the elephants to cross.

In 1889, George MacKay asked August and Willie, two well know First Nations People, to help him build the first bridge across Capilano River. The bridge was made of hemp and Cedar planking tied to two huge Douglas Fir trees. The early bridge was named the “the laughing bridge” by First Nations People because of the sound the wind made when it whistled between the planks. In 1903 the hemp was replaced by wire but was just as wobbly so it was renamed “the nervous bridge”.

Crossing the bridge is an adrenaline-charged adventure. Pausing in the center and gazing down the river gives one a sensation of floating on air.

Tree tops are connected with seven pathways, the Tree House Suspension Walk, slightly wiggly, high above the ground, clinging to old growth Douglas Firs

and a Cliff Walk that is bowed out from sheer granite cliff faces, bolted to the rocks, strung-up by wires and includes a clear polyurethane enclosed 8 foot long extended area jutting out over the rushing river below. An spine tingling step out into nothingness for a brave few.  John stood 30 feet above me on a solid rock decking taking pictures with KatieBug glued to his foot.

Unknown to us was how many miles of wooden trails, water pond walk ways, suspension bridges, overlook areas and tree walkways there were in the park, but we walked continually for over 2 hours and still missed some of the paths.

Kids were darting out from behind giant tree trunks and vanishing into the rain forest as if all were secretly playing a game of Robin Hood and his merry men.  Every mossy nook and tuck in this park is designed for the child in us all.

By days end, John, KatieBug and I were all sufficiently exhausted and chilled, either by the damp weather or by intensified lofty height experiences. All three of us were ready for a good night’s sleep. In the morning we will leave this noisy sliver of expensive rental turf and head back to Burien, WA.