An Anacortes contingent of about 120 people including local and state representatives made the opening day run from Anacortes to Sidney, B.C. last Sunday aboard the MV Chelan. This photo was taken as the vessel moved north through the San Juan Islands. Among those making the “rally” excursion were Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell and local state representatives Mary Margaret Haugen (Senate) and Jeff Morris (House). Also aboard was Representative Judy Clibborn, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. The trip was arranged by the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce and a group of volunteers committed to preserving the route. Economic woes once again put the Anacortes/Sidney run in the crosshairs of Olympia budget cutters, but indications from both House and Senate leaders is that the international run will continue. According to a Tuesday article by the Skagit Valley Herald, allies on the Canadian side of the route showed their support by trimming terminal docking fees by $100,000 over a three-year period.