I wrote two posts on border crossings recently. The first was on my time-intensive crossing into Canada last month. On that basis, I predicted that when the Canadian government opened the border to Americans on August 9 (today), the result would be a mess. That prediction, by the way, has already been borne out by an 8-hour-long wait of cars and trucks trying to cross from International Falls, Minnesota to Fort Frances, Ontario.
My second post was to point out that one does not need a negative Covid test if one is a U.S. citizen driving from Canada to the United States. One does not even need evidence of vaccination.
Now to the point of this post. At the end of my stay at my cottage in Minaki, Ontario, I drove to Winnipeg and then south to the U.S. border crossing at Pembina, North Dakota. I was quite nervous. I didn’t need to be.
There was no line in front of me when I drove up to window of the Customs and Immigration official. I showed her my U.S. passport and she asked me the kinds of questions I’ve been asked in normal non-Covid years.
It went something like this.
Her: What were you doing in Canada?
Me: Staying at my cottage.
Her: (Making fun of me in a non-nasty way) Staying at your cottage. (I think she got a kick out of the fact that Canadians say “cottage” where Americans say “cabin.” She could tell by my U.S. passport that I was born in Canada.)
Her: What was the water level like? (I think she was testing to see if I had been at my cottage.)
Me: Almost a foot lower than normal.
Her: (This part is vague in my memory.) Are you bringing any meat, fruit, or vegetables?
Me: No.
Her: Are you bringing back anything you purchased?
Me: Yes, potato chips [I love the Canadian brand Old Dutch] and Coffee Crisp bars.
Her: Ok. Go ahead.
Me: (not able to resist). Wow! This was so much easier than when I went the other way.
For the next 30 or 40 miles en route to Grand Forks, I didn’t have to look in the car’s mirror to see that I had a perpetual smile on my face. A peaceful, easy feeling.
READER COMMENTS
Jerry Brown
Aug 9 2021 at 8:33pm
Welcome back. I like the Eagles and that song, but it would not be one I would pick if I was driving from Canada. Afraid it might make me sleepy. I’d probably rather have something from AC/DC or Led Zeppelin to keep me awake. But it would probably be good once I got on a plane. If I ever do that again.
BC
Aug 9 2021 at 10:46pm
“Canadians say ‘cottage’ where Americans say ‘cabin.'”
My friends in Michigan all referred to their places Up North as “cottages”. (For those that don’t know “Up North” refers to northern Michigan, not Canada.)
Mark Brophy
Aug 9 2021 at 11:41pm
We used “cottage” in Massachusetts 40 years ago, too. And, many people could play the bagpipes.
MarkW
Aug 10 2021 at 5:17pm
I’m in Michigan and both are used, with ‘cabin’ suggesting something more smaller and more primitive than a cottage. Nobody here would refer to the huge Victorian vacation homes on Mackinaw Island as ‘cabins’.
Mark Barbieri
Aug 10 2021 at 3:15am
I’m flying home from Iceland this weekend and United Airlines is telling me that the US requires a recent (72 hours) negative COVID test. I wonder if that is because it is a flight rather than driving.
robc
Aug 10 2021 at 8:43am
Yes. You should drive across instead. Do we have a chunnel to Iceland yet?
Alan Goldhammer
Aug 10 2021 at 7:54am
Apropos of the album picture of the Eagles, you should read Ronald Brownstein’s fine new book, “Rock Me on the Water: 1974-The Year Los Angeles Transformed Movies, Music, Television, and Politics.” The Eagles are prominently featured along with other music groups, movie and TV people, and politicians. It’s a great read for those interested in cultural history and its impact. A lot of what Brownstein writes comes from personal interviews with the movers and shakers.
robc
Aug 10 2021 at 8:48am
On July 29, 1974 Mama Cass dies and Neil Peart joins Rush.
Thanks wikipedia, I guess.
Lawrence
Aug 10 2021 at 9:17am
MEANWHILE, THIS IS WHAT DETROITERS SUPPOSEDLY FACE IN WINDSOR & PORT HURON. David, it’s good to hear that your trip went so (relatively) smoothly — despite the delays. Needless to say, when I visit our mutual friend, Harry (in a couple of months), I won’t be taking the shortcut on the 401 highway.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2021/08/08/canadian-us-border-crossing-reopening-complications-policies/5530244001/
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