Canadian border crossing advice.

I'll echo everyone here. Going into Canada is fine. Coming back in the US is a strained and uncomfortable affair.

Especially when you're coming back in on the West coast from Vancouver. In a Miata. With Indiana plates.

Weird hearing all these horror stories about the Canadian border. I've crossed our southern border 3 times in recent years (twice from Tijuana) with absolutely no problems or searches. I even forgot my passport once and had only my drivers license as ID.

Driving into Mexico is hilariously easy. They don't even stop you, just slow down enough to wave.

I was driving across the border into Canada once (pre-9/11) and the guard was supposed to ask a question about whether I had any firearms or illegal drugs or other weapons. He was at the end of his shift and tired, so he just casually asked "Guns, Drugs, Weapons?" I replied "No thanks, I've got a trunk full." Funny right?

Wrong. I spent an unknown number of hours in a room after being told "wait here". After letting me sweat it out, they gave me a speech about not being such an idiot next time and let me go. The point being, Canada doesn't tolerate morons any more than anyone else.

As a Canadian, I don't have much input on this, other than to be friendly. Not puppy-levels of friendly, but Mr. Rogers levels of friendly.

Never had issues going to Canada, but shipping packages to Canada is a PITA, the worst country we ship to. 1 out of 2 we ship gets stuck in customs, usually for insanely stupid things.

Just as everyone has said, Canada is easy. Just be sure you still look like you do on your passport. When I went in, I had longer hair, thick frame glasses, and a big beard. My passport is of me with a buzzed head and no facial hair, and no glasses. The guy would look at me, then back at my pass a few times before I took my glasses off and pulled my beard back. He then gave us our passes back and went on our way. Now U.S. on the other hand, they were kinda shiny happy people. Over something small. They asked us where we were going and swmbo stambered across one word and apparently thats cause for a slight search. Not a huge deal, but still an inconvience. And talk about rude sounding. You would have thought we kicked his dog the way he spoke to us.

914Driver wrote: New York has an "Enhanced Drivers License", it has added layers of background checks or something that allow you to go into Canada without a passport.

I believe that is the other way around. Going in to Canada is no big deal, getting back in is the hard part, as several have mentioned.

Back in the old days, (2006/7)My last trips in/through Canada towing my track car, which luckily was registered, I had no problems. Usual questions. They did check the plate on the trailer coming back from Mosport.

Jut be sure to have all the paper work.

I go back and forth several times a month. Almost always an easy pleasant experience in both directions. I was made to sit for an hour two weeks ago when the Canadian agent in the booth decided the $400.00 parts truck we were bringing back was worth far more. (didn't have an engine even). He did craigslist research while we twiddled our thumbs. Then he confiscated my phone to look for incriminating data but it was a Blackberry Passport and he couldn't run it so I had to do it for him. Ha Ha .

what is the problem with a Blackberry Passport (and for that matter what IS a Blackberry Passport …. different from a plain jane Blackberry)

In reply to wbjones:

It's the big square one. You have to do a lot of swiping in different directions to get to various screens. Takes some getting used to.

oh … my Net10 looks very much like the original BlackBerry .. though without the usability

Thanks for the info everyone. It's a lot easier to not look like a idiot if you know what to expect.

Where are you planning to cross back? Pigeon River is only 2 lanes (Soo is too if I remember right) and can be pretty busy on the weekends. Given the value of the Canadian Ruble right now, it shouldn't be bad. Just make sure you don't fill up on the coffee before the 40 minute drive there from T Bay. Don't ask me how I know this.

In reply to akamcfly:

We will probably be crossing back at Pigeon River. I've got 4 days to make it back to SC so if it takes some time coming south it's not a big deal. I think I've only got 6 hours of driving planed for that day.

A question about the falls at the Pigeon River, do you know if they better seen from the Canadian side or the USA side? I've got this thing about water falls so we'll be stopping to see a few of them.

I've never done the hike there, but my understanding is tomato/tomahto. I can find out though. My aunt and uncle have done the walk LOTS. They go to Grand Marais several times a year. Check out Kakabeka Falls while you're in the neighborhood - 20 minute drive west of T. Bay and very pretty. Cascades Park is also worth checking out for similar fast water prettiness.

Have you planned to see The Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's UP, about a 1.5 hour drive from Sault Ste Marie?

http://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqua/tahqua.html

Kakabeka Falls Is doable. I'll put it on the list.

I'll put Tahquamenon Falls on the possible list. I might be a little short on time on the way up.

The only Cascades Park I can find is in Florida. Do you have any other information on it?

Thanks for the suggestions.

In reply to Toyman01:

Get on Balsam Street in Thunder Bay and head North. Balsam ends at Cascades Park. It's closer than Kakabeka.

Also There's a "waterfalls of Ontario" website with a map which shows ratings and rough ideas about accessibility. There are a few 5/5 falls on your general route, but your time table may not permit seeing them. Middle Falls and Kakabeka are both 5/5 and I believe Cascades Park is 4/5.

Fort William Historical Park is a must see too.