YVR to Mexican Border (& back) Mar-Apr 2023: Day 1

First big trip since early 2020. In fact almost 3 years to the day we got the call to come home while in Barrego Springs, CA. because of COVID. We’ve done some small trips during those three years but nothing more than a few weeks.

We made plans with our Travel Buddy (TB) to head out first week of March. On the last day of February it started to snow. It didn’t just snow a little, it snowed a lot so we had to postpone. The following week the snow had melted so again we made plans to leave. Basically the worst throw-your-stuff-in-the-RV-and-run” event ever. We drove from our place to Eagle Wind RV in Aldergrove to finish setting up and it’s right off the road to the US/Can Border. Early the next morning we met up with the TB and headed to the border – quick pass thru and on the way to Portland, OR.

Excitement reigned! We’re finally on our way!

A few errands in Oregon City and then to the French Prairie (Baldock) Rest Area (southbound on the I-5) to overnight. Nice rest area, plenty of room for big rigs and in our case, one towed jeep and one towed trailer with the toys.

The decision made was to abandon our 1st choice route to Idaho and south to Nevada in favour of the I-5. Snow and weather issues were popping up everywhere but in particular Idaho. The logic here being that the I-5 had the least amount of issues.

And yet……… there is the Siskiyou. The name that strikes fear in the hearts of men…………. Just kidding – it definitely gave us pause but we thought we’d ‘hole’ up on the north side if the road had snow. No chains and no snow tires on the Big Bertha so we could only go over if it was clear and wet or dry. The Pass is 1259M (4,129 feet) in elevation with a 6% grade going downhill.

It is what stood between us and sunnier climes.

Map: Abbotsford to Border to Portland