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minnow · 02-26-2018, 10:19 AM

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to rudeness and condension. I don't need to drive to a foreign border to deal with that.

I've often wondered this if Canada is such a great place to visit, why is it 80% of Canadians live here from October to May.

plasma800 · 02-26-2018, 10:32 AM

I'm so bad... I'd have to do something hilarious.. like hide a bluetooth speaker in a bay, and then from my phone play a recording that says in a hushed voice "¿Ya llegamos? -- shhh ¡Quédate quieto!"

Did you hear something? I didn't hear anything, not sure what you're talking about sir..

Bigd9 · 02-26-2018, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnow

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to rudeness and condension. I don't need to drive to a foreign border to deal with that.

I've often wondered this if Canada is such a great place to visit, why is it 80% of Canadians live here from October to May.

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to kind, caring and polite people. And our experience is Canada also has kind, caring and polite people plus beautiful countryside.

dix39 · 02-26-2018, 10:55 AM

Although it's been a good many years now (5+) since our BC to AK trip and some regs. may have changed, the border crossing both ways went much like Bigd9 describes his, very smoothly. There were several other RV's parked just past the entrance that didn't fare as well. One of the questions asked was if we had pepper spray, which seemed strange, but it seemed to be considered about equal with firearms.

We went without firearms, but somewhere along our trip I talked with another traveler who told me he had a shotgun for which he had submitted the proper forms and received a permit to carry into Canada several months earlier. If you are one who feels better having the ability to protect yourself, that would be an option.

Before our trip I visited the credit union and got about $300.00 Canadian. That and our credit union credit card provided enough for us to stay about 1.5 months and still have a bit of Canadian money left after returning. Every major purchase was done with the CC and the cash used for small expenditures. Some of their coins are unique and beautiful.

One bit of humor on me was was my concern about the speed limits which were in kph instead of mph. At one of the first border crossings I asked if I could get a piece of paper with the most common kph limits translated into mph. The young man there said certainly and did so, then replied that kph was also on the speedometer, which it was.

We didn't have any pets, but others have addressed that pretty well. For definite answers about specific questions I would ask the Canadian government and perhaps get something in writing to produce at the border?

We were treated very well by everyone we came in contact with, no complaints on our part there.

Have a wonderful trip!

Steve

twogypsies · 02-26-2018, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigd9

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to kind, caring and polite people. And our experience is Canada also has kind, caring and polite people plus beautiful countryside.

So true! Canadians are wonderful folks as are most people anywhere. Canadians come south in winter because of the weather, not because they don't like Canada.

We've never had an issue crossing the border. I don't know why folks make such a big deal out of it. Any border has their own laws. Follow them and you'll have no problems. Simple.

Jim.B1 · 02-26-2018, 11:42 AM

[QUOTE=minnow;4059545]There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to rudeness and condension. I don't need to drive to a foreign border to deal with that.

I've often wondered this if Canada is such a great place to visit, why is it 80% of Canadians live here from October to May.[/QUOTE]

Really, you actually had the think about it often!
And, 80% too!
How many times would you actually sit down and try to figure out why Canadians spend October to May in the south before you came up with an answer?
Seems a rather simple one, could it possibly be to get away from the cold and snow, like all those from NY, Ohio and Michigan too!!

KeysVal · 02-26-2018, 07:38 PM

Thank you to everyone who provided advice and insight. Please keep it coming!

For those who are advocating not going into Canada because of possible “rudeness” of the border officers; that has already been decided. We are going.

We have decided that Flipper the turtle is going to have to sit this one out and we’ll leave him behind and just deal with the rest of our menagerie!

Bigd9 · 02-27-2018, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeysVal

We have decided that Flipper the turtle is going to have to sit this one out and we’ll leave him behind and just deal with the rest of our menagerie!

On no, tell me it ain't so! You can't leave flipper home.

What will he do? Who will talk with him?

Now you have to post a picture of flipper for all of us to see.

Do you have one of him sitting in the driver's seat?

minnow · 02-27-2018, 06:00 AM

Turtle-Cam. 24/7 non stop action of the turtle moving 12" one way, then the other.

Gordon Dewald · 02-27-2018, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnow

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to rudeness and condension. I don't need to drive to a foreign border to deal with that.

I've often wondered this if Canada is such a great place to visit, why is it 80% of Canadians live here from October to May.

Actually the number is more like 2% are snowbirds. A similar amount of US citizens head north in the summer.

minnow · 02-27-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordon Dewald

Actually the number is more like 2% are snowbirds. A similar amount of US citizens head north in the summer.

Although I highly doubt the "2%" of Americans going north in the summer spend 6-8 months there like the "2%" of the Canadians do here each fall/winter/spring.

60sumtin · 02-27-2018, 01:56 PM

I don't know if this was mentioned or not but many gas stations here in Canada are pay at the pump only, so for ease of use make sure your credit card or debit card has a PIN because you'll have to enter it at the pump prior to filling. Increasingly more stations are now equipped with tap terminals where you can just tap your CC or Debit Card, no PIN or signature required.

I only mention this because last summer I had an American traveller ask me how he could get gas since his card did not have a pin associated with it. All I could tell him was ask the attendant.

You should also be aware while the vast majority of stations do have an attendant on duty, some small towns in less travelled areas may not during the off hours and then operate like a card lock.

60sumtin · 02-27-2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnow

There's plenty of places right here in the good ole' USA where I can be subjected to rudeness and condension. I don't need to drive to a foreign border to deal with that.

I've often wondered this if Canada is such a great place to visit, why is it 80% of Canadians live here from October to May.

Rudeness and "condension"(?) has no borders and can be found anywhere.

80%? Since you've never been here I'll assume you are just trying to be being funny. Good one.

Jim.B1 · 02-27-2018, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnow

Although I highly doubt the "2%" of Americans going north in the summer spend 6-8 months there like the "2%" of the Canadians do here each fall/winter/spring.

Once again Minnow, you might want to get the facts straight.
Canadians are only allowed 180 days max. (6 months) in the US and not 8 months as you state.
Oh, I guess I forgot to ask, "why" the animosity towards Canadians?
That is not the type of reception we get while travelling in the US, nor, portray when our neighbours south of the border vacation in our country.
Time to chill out.