Blaine, WA

Blaine, WA is in Whatcom county and it's Northern boundary is the Canadian border.  Population is 4684 with a median income of $36,900 and a median age of 39.  Blaine was first settled in the mid 19th century by pioneers who established the town as a seaport for the West coast logging and fishing industries.  It was incorporated in May 1890 and was named after James G Blaine, who was a U.S. Senator from Maine, Secretary of State and was a candidate for President in 1884.  Blaine was a successful town due to the logging and fishing industries.  In the early 20th century the area was logged out but the fishing kept Blaine going until the 1970s,  Today Blaine's economy is now based on cross-border Canadian Trade with warehouses and other industry near the border.  The two large marinas that once played host to the fishing boats are now filled with recreational sailboats and yachts along with a small fleet of fishing boats.  Blaine is the shared home of the Peace Arch International Monument.  The Peace Arch is a monument between the U.S. and Canadian borders.  Surrey, British Columbia and Blaine, WA share a park with the arch sitting right on the border.  It stands 67 ft tall and was dedicated in September 1921.  It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1817.
Blaine is a great little town.  Main Street is no longer home to the saw mills but now has buildings filled with antique  and gift shops and lots of restaurants and cafes.  You can stand on Main Street and look out towards the marina and the point above the marinas you see Surrey, British Columbia with the Canadian mountains in the background.  It you look a little north you see the border check in booths on the U.S/Canadian border.  We ate at a cute little place that serves good food.  We ate at the Red Caboose, which was a red caboose.  It had a deck on the backside of the caboose that overlooked the marina so we enjoyed our lunch watching boats coming and going with Canada as the background.  If you are ever in Blaine, stop by and have lunch or coffee at the Red Caboose.  You will not be disappointed.  The food is good, the staff is friendly and the owners meet and greet you and chat with you.  The owner even came out to say good bye as we were leaving.  It made us feel very welcomed and we had a great lunch.  After lunch we were standing down at the Bay and when we turned around to walk to the car we all of a sudden got a view of Mt. Baker.  What a sight.  We got a chance to see sunset over Birch Bay and it was beautiful!   What a great day!