So, You're Crossing the Border?

When the summer sun starts leaving longer shadows a primeval urge arises in many of us to fly, or flee, south. The birds have it easier. They just leave. Humans spend a long time planning, packing, and finally going. Birds fly over the border, we have to stop and be questioned. Some of the following tips will perhaps make it easier.

• You need to be able to prove that you are a Canadian citizen. Although still not legally required, the best document for this is your passport. A passport will also prove your identity when you return to Canada.
• Take off your sunglasses, turn down the radio, and look the questioner in the eye when answering. They are watching to see if you are nervous, and lying.
• You will likely be asked your citizenship, where you are going, how long you are going to stay, purpose of your visit, and what you are leaving in the USA.
• Even if the top of your car is bristling with four sets of skiis and poles, and you tell them you're heading to Aspen, Colorado, they are likely to ask the purpose of your trip. Just tell them, and ignore a chance to question their intelligence! They can spoil a good vacation.
• If you stay longer than six months you need to apply for an extension once you are in the country.
• If you are taking a grandchild under the age of 18 with you, remember, children need their own passport, and you need proof that the parents approve of the child going with you into the US.
• It's difficult to know how much cash to take. You should have some money in US$ traveller cheques. Many places won't accept Canadian money and you may not be able to find a banking machine when you need it. If this is a new experience for you, note that banking machines only accept certain cards. The back of your banking card will show which banking machines accept your card. You also need a small amount of US$cash to tide you over until you can get to a grocery store and cash one of the travellers cheques.
• Don't carry over $10,000US without declaring it.
• A person with a criminal record will likely be rejected, even if they've been pardoned. If this applies to you, there is a procedure to have your case reviewed, but it may take months. Plan a long time ahead before your tentative trip.
• While cats do not need a rabies shot, dogs require rabies vaccinations 30 days before. All animals must show visibly that they are of good health.
• Your health insurance covers you for a certain number of days out of province. Get your signature on some sort of dated receipt just before you leave Canada. This could be on a credit card slip from a fuel fill up. Each person on the trip should do this.
• If you take prescription drugs have them clearly labelled in their original container. Take your prescription with you.
• If you wear glasses take a copy of your prescription with you.
• Canadian provincial health insurance will not cover you for more than medical needs would cost in Canada. It's imperative that you purchase extra travel insurance before you go to cover this underfunding.

• Fruits and vegetables native to Canada are usually permitted if they are labelled as grown in Canada. One US customs man I phoned said he was ok with our own garden produce. But it's up to the man who is asking you. Uncooked potatoes are not recommended because of some potato disease problems in Canada.
• Beef and chicken raw, cooked, canned, or frozen, can't be taken. Last year we took the last two pieces of a cooked pizza with the intention of having them for supper. They were taken. The man thought there was a piece of sausage showing on the top of one.
• You should have no problem with your cheese, candies, baked goods, maple syrup, honey, jam and jelly.

• We can't eat butter and like the taste of Becel margarine. We haven't been able to find it and had to settle for US margarine that tastes like the old uncoloured margarine of many years ago.
• Other people have suggested canned red salmon, Ultra Kleenex, Tenderflake lard, Canadian cheddar cheese, and Canadian maple syrup.
• If you are a cookie eater don't forget Dare Maple Leaf cookies. We've given friends tastes of our Maple Leaf cookies and were lucky to escape with anything left in the bag.
• For calculating equivalent Canadian gas prices from US gas prices: CDN$/litre = (US pump price) multiplied by the (Canadian price of a US dollar) divided by (3.7854)