Located at the US-Canada border, the Port of Blaine lies on the banks of Drayton Harbor and about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the beautiful Cascade Mountain foothills. The Port of Blaine has a collection of 19th-Century and luxury waterfront homes. The Semiahmoo Golf Course designed by Arnold Palmer on the south side of Drayton Harbor is a centerpiece for many beautiful residences and vacation homes. The Port of Blaine supports a mix of pleasure boaters and commercial fishers. The Port of Blaine is located about 70 kilometers (44 miles) northwest of Mount Baker and the popular Mount Baker skiing area.
Lying between the mountains east of Vancouver, the Skagit County flatlands, and the North Cascade Mountains, the Port of Blaine enjoys a mild coastal climate compared to the rest of the Pacific Northwest. Temperatures in the Port of Blaine range from an average high of 22°C (72°F) in July and August to an average low of -1°C (30°F) in December and January. Precipitation ranges from a low of about 3.8 centimeters (1.5 inches) in July and August to a high of around 15 centimeters (six inches) in November and December. Humidity levels in the Port of Blaine are fairly stable at just above 90% throughout the year. Snow comes to the Port of Blaine from mid-October through late April, peaking in January at about 14 centimeters (5.5 inches).
In addition to many boating and fishing opportunities, visitors to the Port of Blaine seldom miss a trip to Peace Arch State Park. Marking the official border between the United States and Canada, the great white arch on a beautiful grassy lawn has three main purposes: to promote and preserve the positive relations between the two countries, maintaining the Peace portal and park for the future, and preserving the serene natural settings of the park. One foot of the arch stands on American ground, and the other stands in Canada. Dedicated to world peace in 1921, the monument is a physical symbol of the longest undefended border in the world.
The Dakota Creek Kayak Launch Park in the Port of Blaine allows kayakers to launch into the creek at high tide and provides access to the estuary and Drayton Harbor. Salmon fishers prize the launch for the many fishing opportunities available nearby. There is a short trail in the park leading to an overlook that offers great views of the estuary and area wildlife.
The Alaska Packers Association Cannery and Fishing Museum on Semiahmoo Spit in the Port of Blaine is operated by Whatcom County. For almost 80 years, the cannery in the Port of Blaine was the biggest salmon-processing center in the world. The museum is located in the original cannery building. Its exhibits focus on the Port of Blaine's history and include a scale-model fish trap, historic photographs, antique machinery, and a Bristol Bay fishing boat. There is historic film of the APA's fleet of tall ships that carried cargo between the Port of Blaine and San Francisco. Visitors to the museum will enjoy the beaches and trails at Semiahmoo Park.
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