Community Forums

Raining Star · 01-25-2014, 06:22 PM

My DW and I are headed to Michigan this summer in order to escape the summer heat here in Arizona. We're headed first to Washington so we'd like to drive from there across Canada to Michigan.

We know nothing about Canada and would appreciate any suggestions about good routes, points of interest to see along the way, etc.

wnytaxman · 01-25-2014, 06:49 PM

Some general comments about Canada and crossing into Canada. We are right on the border and crossings for us are common. Make sure you have your passports before you leave. They are required to cross into Canada and back to the US. Even though you may have a concealed weapon permit in the States, do NOT take a pistol into Canada.

That being said, the Canadian Rockies are spectacular. Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper are particularly neat. Take your time and enjoy your travels across our neighbor to the north.

t55watson · 01-25-2014, 07:01 PM

I live in MI, near Mackinac Island. We cross from MI to NY often. Niagara to Port Huron MI. Previous poster said no hand guns. NO FIREARMS.
Must see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Not a whole lot to see as you are crossing farm country. A lot to see in northern MI.
PM me if you want more.

Raining Star · 01-25-2014, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wnytaxman

Even though you may have a concealed weapon permit in the States, do NOT take a pistol into Canada.

We never carry a handgun on us but do keep one concealed in the RV. I'll have to find out if the law says that we need to mail it back before we travel across.

Dogpatch · 01-25-2014, 07:07 PM

If you stick to the #1 Highway, it runs from west coast to east coast. There are plenty of things to see not far off that main highway. If you're not in a hurray, there's a lot more a little further off that main artery.

docj · 01-25-2014, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raining Star

We never carry a handgun on us but do keep one concealed in the RV. I'll have to find out if the law says that we need to mail it back before we travel across.

You will not be able to take that handgun into Canada and lying about it at the border could lead to very serious consequences. You can't legally just mail a firearm to yourself, either.

Firearm Users Visiting Canada - Royal Canadian Mounted Police

t55watson · 01-25-2014, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raining Star

We never carry a handgun on us but do keep one concealed in the RV. I'll have to find out if the law says that we need to mail it back before we travel across.

You can not have any hand gun in the RV and legally cross into Canada.
Google a gun dealer near where you will be coming back into the USA and mail the gun to them.

Raining Star · 01-25-2014, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

I live in MI, near Mackinac Island. We cross from MI to NY often. Niagara to Port Huron MI. Previous poster said no hand guns. NO FIREARMS. Must see Niagara Falls from the Canadian side. Not a whole lot to see as you are crossing farm country. A lot to see in northern MI. PM me if you want more.

Thanks. My wife is from Michigan and has made the Niagara trip through Canada and wants me to share it. We were just discussing the possibility of making that trip this summer when your response came it. We will likely make that trip by toad leaving our RV with family in Port Huron.

Raining Star · 01-25-2014, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

You can not have any hand gun in the RV and legally cross into Canada. Google a gun dealer near where you will be coming back into the USA and mail the gun to them.

Thanks, for the suggestion. I've got access to gun dealers and I will check with them to make sure I handle the shipment legally.

t55watson · 01-25-2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raining Star

Thanks. My wife is from Michigan and has made the Niagara trip through Canada and wants me to share it. We were just discussing the possibility of making that trip this summer when your response came it. We will likely make that trip by toad leaving our RV with family in Port Huron.

We will be in AZ the middle of March. In FL now. We spend at least a month every year in Sierra Vista.
When in MI use the rig and stay a while.

Raining Star · 01-25-2014, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t55watson

We will be in AZ the middle of March. In FL now. We spend at least a month every year in Sierra Vista. When in MI use the rig and stay a while.

My wife is from Michigan and we have been married a year. The ten week summer trip is primarily for me to meet her family, so exploring Michigan will be a major focus of the trip.

Terry Jay · 01-25-2014, 07:41 PM

Give the handgun to an FFL in AZ before you start, as well as any ammo.

Two thoughts on crossing Canada. First, fuel has been running $1.19/ltr the past few years and gas a bit less, 3.8 ltr the gallon. Alberta is usually the cheapest.

Take I-5 to Bellingham, the follow the signs to Sumas. Get on the TransCanada about 3 miles north of Sumas. When you get to Hope take the freeway to Merritt and Kamloops, goes over the top of the Cascades. At Kamloops, head north to join the Yellowhead Hwy, then east to Jasper, south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff & Lake Louise, east toward Calgary on Hwy 1, the Trans Canada.

Dogpatch · 01-25-2014, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Jay

Give the handgun to an FFL in AZ before you start, as well as any ammo. Two thoughts on crossing Canada. First, fuel has been running $1.19/ltr the past few years and gas a bit less, 3.8 ltr the gallon. Alberta is usually the cheapest. Take I-5 to Bellingham, the follow the signs to Sumas. Get on the TransCanada about 3 miles north of Sumas. When you get to Hope take the freeway to Merritt and Kamloops, goes over the top of the Cascades. At Kamloops, head north to join the Yellowhead Hwy, then east to Jasper, south on the Icefields Parkway to Banff & Lake Louise, east toward Calgary on Hwy 1, the Trans Canada.

East of Calgary, head slightly north to Drumheller to see the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum. It's world class.

docj · 01-26-2014, 08:27 AM

We spent the entire month of July in Alberta. In addition to the Royal Tyrell, which is super, walking on the glaciers at the Columbia Ice Field between Banff and Jasper is a bucket list item IMO; take the ice fields excursion if you have the time and $$.

For some "down home" fun go to the chuck wagon races at a local rodeo; a uniquely Canadian activity. We went to the rodeo in Strathmore AB , but there are others.