June 2, 2015, Blaine, WA- As mentioned earlier, I drove the length of the Puget Sound metro area, stopping only in deference to my fellow travelers, as the rush hour, and a few accidents, dictated. I stopped in Everett, the northern anchor of the metro region, in search of at least one of the port city’s well-regarded botanical gardens.

Legion Park honours the American Legion, to which I belong. It was thus a logical place to stop and enjoy the interspersing of the great evergreens of this area, with the riot of colour that comes with every well-planned garden Not being much of a floral authority, I nonetheless present several of the plants that stood out most prominently to me, on this drizzly but glorious afternoon, when I had the place virtually to myself.

The Asian ambiance of the garden is scintillating.

Port Gardner Bay, just west of the park, offers a fine view of north Puget Sound.

Moving northward, I opted to stay close to the Canadian border, and chose this fine little establishment.

Next door, Ocean Bay Restaurant offers excellent Chinese cuisine. It draws regulars from White Rock, BC, a few miles away.

Looking northward, I spotted the community of White Rock. Borders may be seen as necessary right now, but they are still artificial.

Thus did my very full day end, in Blaine, Washington.