Point Roberts, WA

What's life like on a five-square-mile (thirteen-square-kilometer) patch of U.S. soil at the tip of a Canadian peninsula?

Well I just got back from Point Roberts, Washington a wee two day get-a-way to visit a dear friend that I hadn't seen for a long time. She was staying in a gorgeous cottage for a couple of weeks and invited me to come and join her.

As I quickly tried to wrap up and ‘put on hold' work.....I hopped in the car, and while only 2 hours from home......I slipped across the border into the tiny nether world of Point Roberts.......

A geopolitical oddity, it's a practical exclave of the United States, on the southernmost tip of the Tsawwassen Peninsula, just south of Delta, British Columbia, Canada. Interestingly enough it can only be reached from the the rest of the U.S. by travelling through Canada or crossing Boundary Bay.

Drawing the border between Canada and the U.S. along the 49^th parallel was a great idea, except that when the line reached the ocean just south of Vancouver, it cut off a teeny weeny bit of Washington and left it hanging out in the Pacific all by itself!

Although in some ways it would have made more sense to make this little area a part of Canada, that never happened... :-(

Instead Icelandic farmers, fishermen and cannery workers and not a few retirees began living on this 5 sq. mile peninsula.

The scenery is gorgeous and life is ridiculously peaceful...!

You can't buy shoes.., there's no doctor or dentist or pharmacy... with a population of under 1400 people, and only 34% of those full time residents.....the majority of people staying at the Point are Canadians who use it as a cottage or holiday spot.

And it's not difficult to guess why.. as the breeze rustles through the majestic trees and twilight falls...it's easy to be mesmerized by the natural beauty, miles of beaches, the pods of orcas...quaint cottages......and most of all peace and tranquility!

Needless to say I had a fabulous visit with my friend.........who with 8 children and 13 grandchildren......also was also having a much needed break..........we had a veritable 'gabfest'.......hiked, breathed in the fresh sea air.........and alas.....I'm back refreshed......! Well sort of...........:-)

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Chilliwack or the Fraser Valley Area of B.C., please give Liz Moras, Associate Broker & REALTOR® of Re/Max Nyda Realty, a call! Call Liz at 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca. Be sure to check out Liz's website www.lizmoras.com and blog at www.lizmoras.activerain.com. Copyright © 2008 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved.*Almost Heaven, Almost Canada, Point Roberts , Washington*