Crossing at Sumas on Turkey Day

[NW Cat Owner]

So, anyone have any idea what it's like to cross the border on Thanksgiving Day (USA)?

Yep, just got an email from ETI that The Trailer will be ready for pickup as early as tomorrow!!!!!

I never do anything for turkey day and with Dirk just gone this AM on his 3 week cruise with his mom, I'm definitely not doing anything. So, I'm thinking of going up there either Thursday or Friday, depending on if/when they have some orientation slots open.

So, yeah, HOLY COW!!!! Our trailer is ready!!!! But I've never crossed the border that time of year, so was wondering what it's like.

Thanks!



Boy, will Dirk be shocked to see The Trailer parked up there when I pick up them at the airport in 3 weeks. He won't know ahead of time as he won't get email while he's gone. And I won't tell him when I pick them up and will wait until we drive up for him to find out.

[Kent]

Or better yet pick him up with trailer in tow if possible!

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

Boy, will Dirk be shocked to see The Trailer parked up there when I pick up them at the airport in 3 weeks. He won't know ahead of time as he won't get email while he's gone. And I won't tell him when I pick them up and will wait until we drive up for him to find out.

[msweet]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

So, anyone have any idea what it's like to cross the border on Thanksgiving Day (USA)?

I assume you are going both northbound and southbound on the same day.

Southbound traffic used to be bad on Thursday afternoon and Black Friday when Canadians were heading down for the massive sales. I don't think it is anywhere near as busy now that our buying power has decreased 35% and due to the increase in online shopping. There will likely still be people trying to catch the sales though and they may leave Thursday afternoon or after work.

Northbound likely won't be as busy because most people heading north for the long weekend will take Peace Arch or SR543. Whistler is opening this weekend so you will get some extra traffic for that.

I have never done the trip in that direction (only in reverse) so I am just estimating though. Usually we cross at Sumas to go skiing at Mt Baker but that is southbound at 06:30 and northbound at 17:00.

You can check historical wait times here: BC MOT Historical Border Delays.

[Ron in BC]

I usually say that the border's a crap shoot. Maybe for that day I should say turkey shoot. There's no way to predict what it will be. Busy, very likely; horror show, it happens sometimes but it isn't predictable.

Ron

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

So, anyone have any idea what it's like to cross the border on Thanksgiving Day (USA)?

Yep, just got an email from ETI that The Trailer will be ready for pickup as early as tomorrow!!!!!

I never do anything for turkey day and with Dirk just gone this AM on his 3 week cruise with his mom, I'm definitely not doing anything. So, I'm thinking of going up there either Thursday or Friday, depending on if/when they have some orientation slots open.

So, yeah, HOLY COW!!!! Our trailer is ready!!!! But I've never crossed the border that time of year, so was wondering what it's like.

Thanks!



Boy, will Dirk be shocked to see The Trailer parked up there when I pick up them at the airport in 3 weeks. He won't know ahead of time as he won't get email while he's gone. And I won't tell him when I pick them up and will wait until we drive up for him to find out.

Hi: NW Cat Owner...US. Turkey day might be a non issue. You could stop in at the Duty Free and pick up a "Glass Turkey" for the fine folks at ETI even though we had ours a month ago. Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Loren & Cathy]

Congrats, your trailer is ready. Now see, that didn't take long, did it? Loren

[NW Cat Owner]

Well, I get to see what the crossing will be like early Friday. Knock wood, it'll be okay heading north as Black Friday shoppers will be headed the other way. And by the time I cross, they'll have already crossed (knock wood, again). My orientation is scheduled for 8AM on Friday.

I'm hauling along some blankets and a pillow so I can catch a nap on the way back. Now to find out where the first rest stop will be along I5.

[msweet]

Originally Posted by NW Cat Owner

I'm hauling along some blankets and a pillow so I can catch a nap on the way back. Now to find out where the first rest stop will be along I5.

You have a few options depending on your route.

If you head south and west from Sumas and go through Bellingham than the first southbound rest area on I-5 would be Bow Hill. It is 15 miles south of Bellingham at I-5 mile post 238.

If you head south from Sumas and join I-5 at Burlington than the first southbound rest area on I-5 would be Smokey Point. It is 19 miles south of Mt. Vernon at I-5 mile post 207.

Source: WSDOT Safety Rest Area Locations

[NW Cat Owner]

Thanks! Yeah, I head south from Bellingham. Already got the blankets and pillows loaded in the Tundra!