These are the Chronicles of Famous Surf Writer Ben Marcus and his trip into the Wilds of the Alaskan Frontier.
Latest Update: September 13, 2000

21:08 INTERNET CAFE, VICTORIA, B.C.

Good deeds for the day: Left $5 on the pillow at the Royal Victorian Motor Lodge for the girl who had to clean my room.

Mailed a copy of my old MTV skateboarding footage to Chris at the Ship Bay Inn back on Orcas. He knew Greg and Paul Young way back when, when their father was a partner in the Moss Beach Distillery. There is some classic pool footage at Greg and Paul's pool circa 1976. When I packed that video I asked myself: "Who could possibly want to see this?" And what do you know, someone does.

Bad deeds today: Smuggled a handgun into Canada. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Naw, I didn't. Or maybe I did. No one will ever know, but I sure got a Customs Enema at the B.C. dock when I declared my shotgun. If I had been travelling with Mr. Walther, they would have found him.

Anyway, woke up grumpy at the Royal Victorian. Had to pack and repack the van, after cleaning the shotgun in the room.

Drove to mom's to check on mail and do some business. Greg Noll hooked me up with a writer/newspaper guy named Terry Tomalin, who hooked me up with www.boats.com, because they might be interested in the Fishign with Greg Noll story. I edited the long version again and sent it to Chris Dummit, saying I could revise it anyway they wanted it. I also explained my mission, and wondered if they wanted any stories along the way.

After moms I drove back to Port Angeles, to the courthouse to get the expired license thing all cleared up. I never argue with cops or tickets, but I'm protesting this one. $480 is a ridiculous fine for an expired license. And I've already gone through enough pain and suffering. If you saw my license photo, you'd understand.

The lady at the desk gave me a protest date of October 16. So I have a parameter for the Alaska trip if I want one. I have to be back in Sequim in a little over a month. We'll see how it goes. If I'm having a good time up in the Arctic Circle, I'll just pay the fine.

Stalled around for awhile, trying to figure out the best place to stash Mr. Walther (as far as you know) and scratching the "handgun" sticker off my second cleaning kit (maybe I did and maybe I didn't) then got in line for the BC Ferry. Cashed $400 and got $530 back Canadian. That was pleasing. I just spent a month wasting a ridiculous amount of time and money. Canada will be thriftier, I think. Oh well. Live and learn.

The ferry ride over was great. Perfect fall conditions: blue skies, Mount Baker off in the distance, Olympic Mountains behind, no wind. Perfect.

It took an hour and a half to make the crossing, and it was altogether pleasant.

At Customs I declared the shotgun to the nice Customs lady, and that set a lot of things in motion. I had to explain my presence in Canada, answering (almost) all questions honestly.

How long will you be in Canada'

I have no idea.

Where are you going?

Port Hardy, wherever that is.

Do you have a permanent address?

No.

Will you be working in Canada?

Well, yes and no.

I got the third degree from a guy while two women poked around in the van, going through my stinky wetsuit and other stuff.

I apologized.

They said: Please stay in the front of the van, sir.

Anyway, after about an hour, they gave up on me, but I had to sign a paper saying I would only be in Canada so long. That was the most harassment I've ever gotten at a border crossing. Interesting.

Good thing I didn't have Mr. Walther from me, or I'd be e-mailing you from gaol.

So now I'm in a very nice Internet Cafe in Victoria. I like this town. A little bit British. A little bit French. Clean and well lighted. I guess I'll just start driving toward River Jordan and see what happens.

Thank you for the cards and letters.

Ben