Over the past while, I’ve crossed a lot of borders — more accurately, I’ve crossed one border many times. Sometimes for work, other times for short trips and others for longer trips. Every time is a bit different.

When I crossed on my way to California I was warmly greeted by a lady who was warm and effusives commented that it was almost my birthday. When I crossed to go to the Mt. Baker Hillclimb two older gentlemen joked with us while applications for a travel document were completed (“No sir, I have never been affiliated with the Nazi party” is an answer that most, although I suppose not all, can give in honesty.)

When I crossed today, the border guard was in a pretty cranky mood.

I was asked annoying questions (“Got a business card so you can prove you work for this company?”) and generally seemed grumpy. When he asked for my keys I wasn’t surprised — it happens often, and I never worry about it — and handed them to him. Americans always have trouble with my trunk, unfamiiar as they are with the concept of a latch, and he was no exception but he got it open.

When he walked back to my side of the car, he handed me back my keys and said “Patagonia. Gotta love Yvon.” I was a bit confused, but he continued “He’s Canadian isn’t he.”

The reference was obvious — Yvon Chouinard is Patagonia’s founder and president — and I said “Yeah. He’s a personal hero. His father was French Canadian.”

We had a bit more conversation, but what I couldn’t figure out was why it came up. I happened to be wearing a vest and then realized that I was also wearing pants and a light sweater from Patagonia, but it still seemed odd.

Then I realized I had a sticker on the back windshield of the car, and he must have noticed it.

I always knew that sticker would come in handy.

Posted by skooter at 9:25 PM This entry is filed under Travel.
This entry is tagged: Homeland Security, Patagonia