Charles Mikolajczyk, 17, said it breaks his heart to see how much he hurt his mother, Michelle Mikolajczyk-Hird, by running away. (CBC)

One of two Texan runaways who popped up in a pickup truck full of guns in Calgary this week says they crossed the border on a farm road.

"After an interview with the immigration, I believe they're going to up the security on it after we got across," Charles Mikolajczyk, 17, told CBC News.

Mikolajczyk was released from custody Friday and saw his mother for the first time since he was reported missing on Oct. 4.

As he retrieved his truck from impoundment and made ready to return to San Antonio, Mikolajczyk said his adventure with 14-year-old Samantha O'Haver was "a last-minute mistake." The two lovebirds had driven north in an attempt to get away from home and make a new life for themselves, he said.

"We just kind of went along as we went," he said, as he and his mom cleared the truck of empty Chef Boyardee cans. "Eventually we ran into a border patrol station. I was like, 'Holy crap. I think I know where we're at. That says Canada.'"

'I'm very sorry for all of the people of Canada. I know I caused a lot of trouble.'— Charles Mikolajczyk

He said the farm road they used was patrolled on the U.S. side, but they snuck by.

"We got a country truck and kind of just acted like we were locals, like we were heading to a farmhouse or something," said Mikolajczyk. "We just hit one of the dirt roads and hauled butt."

Once in Canada, it was the remembered strain of a song by country singer Chris LeDoux referencing the Calgary Stampede that prompted the two to make their way to Calgary.

They quickly ran out of money. Mikolajczyk said he lined up employment as a farmhand, but didn't get a chance to start work.

'Just stupid,' mom says

His mother, Michelle Mikolajczyk-Hird, said young love may have been the motivation for the trip, "but in my book it's just stupid."

"He will be making up for it," she declared. "He hurt a lot of people when he left. He has sisters that were scared … his father was terrified."

Charles Mikolajczyk's family thought he might make it 'a state or two' away from his home in Texas. But he and his 14-year-old girlfriend travelled all the way to Calgary in his pickup truck. (CBC)

As for the three loaded handguns and two rifles found in the teens' possession when police discovered them at Foothills Industrial Park on Wednesday, Mikolajczyk said they just grabbed whatever they could when they ran away from home.

"A high-calibre rifle could shoot an elk or something," he said, explaining his thinking.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Patrick Webb said no immigration charges would be filed, and Calgary police said firearms charges wouldn't be laid.

As for the romance, Mikolajczyk said he believes O'Haver still feels the same way about him, but he'll probably be forbidden to see her.

"I'm extremely lucky," he said. "I'm very sorry for all of the people of Canada. I know I caused a lot of trouble."