The Journey South - Day 1 - Sunday October 15, 2023

At the time of writing this, we’ve already been settled in Mexico for a month 🫢.  Yep, as much as I enjoy blogging, the act of actually getting around to it is sometimes difficult.  I try not to beat myself up about it, lol.  So…although the post date on this is in the month of December…we really did start our journey south this year smack dab in the middle of October.  Eventually I’ll get caught up….she writes hopefully but with lots of doubt in her mind 😊 

First on = First off!  
A great place to be on the ferry from Nanaimo, BC  to Tsawwassen, BC

Our 3rd snowbird trip began on Sunday October 15, 2023.  We like to get on the road early enough in October that we don’t have to worry about snow on the mountain passes.  The chance of snow is much “less” in early October than later in the month.   This year rather than taking the Peace Arch crossing we drove a few more minutes and crossed at the Blaine crossing.  The agent was much friendlier than the one we had at the Peace Arch last year.  All in all it took about 3 minutes to answer the questions and be waved on our way.  The only issue with this crossing is there is a tight right turn from the border agent booth, and each time we’ve gone this way they’ve had to move plastic barriers to allow us the room to turn our 61 foot long length.  It always works out though.

 A bit of a lineup at the border, but thankfully it moved fast

We spent our first night, per usual at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale, Washington.  We arrived by 7:20 on a very dark and wet night, driving through a downpour.  All in all day one was uneventful except that poor Gizmo spent the entire drive hiding under one of the recliners.  Poor guy just gets so scared.  HeyZeus and Heffay settled in immediately, both are such great travellers.

Sweet Gizmo’s paw, reaching out for a treat from the comfort of his safe space under the recliner 

Day 1 Summary - Nanaimo to Silver Reef Casino, WA

Departure Time - 1:15 p.m.

Ferry departure: 3:00 p.m.

End Time - 7:20 p.m.
Total distance driven - 62.8 miles
Ferry - $422 (including $18 reservation fee)

Fuel - $0

Accommodation - $0