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Clearing Customs – a Link to a Childhood Friend

PUGET SOUND-2016
1. Winter Cruising Begins in Anacortes, WA
2. Seattle Boat Show in Full Swing – 2016
3. Clearing Customs – a Link to a Childhood Friend
4. Port of Port Townsend – The Big Boy Boat Yard
5. BUMS Did A Great Bottom Job!

Clearing Customs

We Had a Little Surprise as We Were Clearing Customs

After an uneventful cruise across the Strait of Juan De Fuca to Port Townsend from Victoria, we pulled up to the Customs dock at Port of Port Townsend Boat Haven Marina. Earlier in the morning, Jim had called the Customs Office near Port Townsend, this is the protocol for checking back into the United States for clearing customs, specifically Port Townsend, after being in Canada. We don’t normally call ahead of time before we arrive, however, Port Townsend does not have an office right there, so we had to call to give a heads-up to the Customs Officer so that he could plan to meet us there later.

The surprise came shortly after we made the arrival phone call. We didn’t have to wait very long before the officer parked near the dock and walked down to our boat. As I came out of the boat to greet him, I happened to notice his name embroidered on his shirt. Officer Vella. I immediately had a flashback to a childhood friend, a young boy who lived across the street from our family. As kids we lived outside in warm weather, biking, and playing football in the street and I especially remember my brothers and me laying on our friend’s front lawn watching the stars at night, talking about how vast the universe was and what it may hold for our young lives. I kept this thought to myself, thinking how great the odds would be that this would be that old friend. So, during the interview, Officer Vella asked us where we lived, etc. and we said northern Michigan. He promptly said that he was from Michigan too, the Detroit suburbs. Then I had to ask if he knew or was related to my friend. Officer Vella promptly said, “Yes! He is my uncle.” We were both surprised by this revelation and the details and stories flew back and forth. In the end, clearing customs will never be the same again, this is one I will never forget. We exchanged contact information and I am hoping my old childhood friend will contact me one day so that we can catch up on where the big universe took our lives.

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Clearing Customs

Clearing Customs

Clearing Customs

Clearing Customs

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Linda and I enjoyed meeting you at Poet’s Cove last weekend. I hope we can cross wakes again sometime and get to know you better. In the meantime, I intend to read more of your contributions to the art of cruising.

    Tom
    Life Savor

    1. We enjoyed meeting you both as well. Thanks for the get-together on your boat at Poets Cove. Yes, let’s keep in touch. We would love to hear more about the Floating Homes, as we are fascinated by that lifestyle. See you in Roche Harbor!

      Cheers, Lisa

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