Those of us who live in Whatcom County live right on the border with Canada. By doing inspections in various northern parts of the county -- Lynden and Sumas -- I am often very close to the border. The other day, while inspecting in Point Roberts, I had an interesting inside view of border living. Point Roberts is an enclave, surrounded by Canada and water but it is part of the USA. To get there by car, you have to cross the border twice. When I arrived at the home I was inspecting, I mentioned to the man that he had to be mighty close to Canada. He said, yep, that is Canada right there on the other side of the road. These photos get the point across pretty well. The first one is me driving down the road. I am in the USA. That is Canada to the right. One thing that I found interesting was that, on the Canada side, people had gates that open right out onto the US side. A fellow told me that it is not unusual to have those who live in Canada come visit on the other side. He said they just leave through their back gates and come over into the USA. Granted, there are not roads coming out the gates, so they could not do so with cars but people could certainly bring motorcycles and bicycles into the USA without clearing customs. Then to get out, they would either have to take a boat out of Point Roberts or they would have to clear customs. Below is a house in Canada, right on the border, with a gate that opens toward the USA. I guess this could work the other way too, but then strangers would be walking through the backyards of the Canadians which might attract attention. It is a good thing that the USA and Canada have a friendly border. Steven L. Smith Bellingham WA Home Inspections 
Canada Calling
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
10 comments • Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector • August 27 2009 05:28PMComments
This blog does not allow anonymous comments
Post © 2009 Steven L. Smith, Bellingham, Wa. Home Inspector (King of the House Home Inspection, Inc). Design © 2009 ActiveRain Corp.
Logos and service marks owned by copyright holder.
That's kind of cool. I like the gate with the Canadian flag.
I'd feel I was doing my civic duty to leave a comment about protecting our neighbors to the north from an unnamed squirrel but Croakster might blow a gasket.
This could be a very good thing. If you need medical attention just go into Canada and it will be free!! Wonder how the taxes vary from one side to the other.
Barbara,
Not so fast. If you are not Canadian, their medical costs way more than ours. I had a friend who was in Canada and got a fishhook in his hand. By the time he was done with ER, not being Candian, it was ridiculous. My Canadian friends and relatives, who make good livings pay fifty percent taxes. They just say one works free, of the married couples. Their system is a two edge sword.
I didn't know that a area like that existed. Very interesting! Thanks.
WOW - not that is close. Yes I have to say that an unnamed squirrel came to mind also :) ~Rita
I wonder why we don't do that with Mexico?
You mean you don't have to carry your passport through every gate? :) Nice there are still civilized pockets around...
A few years back I inspected a house in Lynden where they had dug a tunnel under the road to Canada. That was close too.
They need those gates to come over for health care.