CANADIAN ACCESS DENIED

ALERT: MARK JUDE MCGILVERY IS A THREAT TO CANADIAN NATIONAL SECURITY

Below is a running diary of my day.

This morning I packed my bags and made my way to Seattle to catch a bus up to our neighbors to the North.  British Columbia, Canada.  I booked my ticket and got on the bus.  All was going smoothly until I hit the border.  It was here that things took a turn that I never could have imagined.  I was asked to get off my bus and go through Canadian Customs.  After the basic questions "Why are you coming to Canada?  Where are you from?" etc etc, I was  asked to go into a back room.  This was kind of odd, but I still didn't think much of it.  After an hour in a holding room and several more questions being fired in my direction, I was informed that I would not be allowed into the country.  Apparently I resemble some sort of threat to Canada's well being.  What the fudge?  I can't say that I saw that coming.  After signing some document saying that I was leaving Canada under my own power and that I wouldn't try to return, two armed Canadian Border Patrolmen escorted me back over the border/highway 5 on foot into The United States and essentially told me to have a nice life.

Canada's main issues for rejecting me were that I am not currently employed (10% of America is unemployed.  Did they forget? I should have told them I was retired.  Would that have made a difference?)  I don't have proof of a mortgage AND I have too much money in my bank account??  I swear to you, this is what they were telling me.   I cannot recall ever being this confused in my entire life.  The way this situation unfolded was incredible.  I have never been arrested.  I don't even owe parking tickets or late fees on library books.  What in the world is going on??

The situation stunk but I found temporary comfort in the fact that I was next to US Customs on American soul.  This comfort didn't last very long.  When I went inside Customs to get some help making arrangements for my next move, my own government told me I was on my own.  At that moment I am sitting in the middle of nowhere 100 feet south of the Canadian border.  No access to a phone.  No ATMs.  No food. No Taxis. No Place to stay.  I think there was a bathroom but some American Border Patrol guy just said to me "This ain't no hostel dude".  I am about to head out on foot and walk along Highway 5 back through Washington towards Seattle.  It was a 2 hour bus ride to get here.  I guess that means it will be about a 10 million hour walk.  Closing the computer.  Taking off the sandals.  Putting on my running shoes… Wish me luck.

I am very tired from walking and have not had anything to eat since breakfast.  It is 5PM.   I have burned about 12 billion calories walking so far today.  The first sign off life in Blaine Washington, USA is a Burger King.  Beggers can't be choosers.  I ordered two plain double cheeseburgers and two plain chicken sandwiches.  I can't wait to see how my stomach holds up on my highway walk into America after eating these.  I don't care though.  BK has air conditioning and I am sweating my face off as I have been carrying my 50 pounds of gear for hours.  What exactly is a Whopper?  I don't think today is the day for me to find out.

THINGS JUST GOT CRAZY.  Sloop John B by The Beach Boys just came on my iPod.  Why is this crazy?  Because, Sloop John B is playing over the Burger King speakers!!!! What in the world is going on right now?

OK, I have to get back to hoofin' it if I want to find lodging before dark.  It is now 6:05PM on July 9th, 2012.  Still vertical and breathing baby! 

It is an hour later.  I am getting some rest under a tree.  I am contemplating throwing some of my gear in the woods.  My pack is starting to feel like cement.  I just got word from a local that there is a truck stop a mile from where I am.  I'm going to head that way to see if I can hitch hike back to Seattle.

It is 9:15PM.  I have been trying to thumb a ride for three hours.  Just walking back and forth between a few truck stops/exits off of Highway 5 South.  I need to start thinking about finding a place for the night.  I am in Blaine, Washington.  Easier said than done.  Gosh darn.  Two guys in a BMW just pulled the ol' pull over to pick up the hitchhiker and as he approaches, step on the gas and drive away.  I just laughed.  I have done worse in my life.  Not going to throw stones at these guys.  Time to find shelter.

After a few more miles of walking, I found some place called International Motel.  $49.85 AAA rate.  I think I am going to sleep standing up.  I don't want to touch anything.

In the morning I am going to try and make my way to Bellingham, Washington.  I think it is about 20 miles south of here.  It sounds like there is a greyhound station there.  Hopefully I can catch a bus back to Seattle.

Seriously, has anyone ever heard of an American EVER not being allowed to go to Canada?  I don't even know what to think at the moment.

What a day!!

Mark/Chops

TWO ARMED CANADIAN BORDER PATROLMEN WALKED ME ACROSS HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH BACK ONTO US SOIL.  LOOK HOW DANGEROUS I LOOK!

WORKING MY WAY DOWN HIGHWAY 5 SOUTH INTO BLAINE, WASHINGTON

IT WAS DISTURBING HOW LITTLE MY OWN NATION HELPED ME OUT.  US CUSTOMS POINTED TOWARDS THE HIGHWAY AND TOLD ME TO START WALKING.  FYI, NEAREST BUS STOP WAS 20 MILES AND THEY WOULDN'T LET ME USE A PHONE

BLAINE WASHINGTON:  POPULATION: I AM GUESSING ABOUT 75.

AT THIS POINT I HAD BEEN WALKING FOR HOURS.  I AM EXHAUSTED.  IF WE COULDN'T LAUGH, WE WOULD ALL GO INSANE. I THINK THAT'S ROBERT FROST.  ALTHOUGH, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HE IS FAMOUS FOR OTHER THAN THAT QUOTE.  I ASKED FOR A BURGER KING CROWN. GREAT MORAL BOOSTER! 

AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES WITH MY 50LB PACK, THE SUN STARTING SETTING ON MY CHANCES OF CATCHING A LIFT TOWARDS SEATTLE.

 SUNSET IN WHATEVER TOWN I ENDED UP WALKING TO.  HONESTLY, I DON'T KNOW WHERE I AM RIGHT NOW.

The Future Is No Place To Place Your Better Days