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May 13, 2005
CHAPTER 2 – TRIP #1
Hello again … and welcome back to the saga of 2 recent retirees, on the road. We've completed 'the shakedown cruise'. Ten states plus Ontario, 26 days, 6714 kilometers and WE'RE STILL MARRIED.
With all the post 9-11 publicity about how hard it is to get into the U.S., we had allowed two hours to get across the border. At the Thousand Islands bridge, we stopped first at Canada Customs to register all the cameras, TV's, radios and scanners and other electronics in the trailer. Upon presenting a full page list of stuff, single spaced, to the Canada Customs inspector; we waited a moment for him to read it and then come to the trailer for an inspection. He had a quick look, stamped it and wished us a safe trip - in total, about 2 minutes and he never got out of his chair. Across the bridge to the U.S. side, no line-up, to the inspection there. We presented our passports, were asked how long we planned on being there and if we had any alcohol or tobacco. That's all folks - no inspection or anything - in total about 1 minute. Boy was it tough.
Visits with family and friends, great scenery, 26 kilometers of single lane Interstate with concrete barriers on both sides with no passing lanes or pull offs. I certainly learned how to steer our big rig and had to back in to our campsites 3 times - and I made it. Phew!!!
Three or four highlights stand out - Cape Hatteras and the Great Smokey Mountains in North Carolina, Talladega NASCAR Speedway near Birmingham Alabama and FDR's Little White House in Warm Springs Georgia. Stay tuned for some details.
Posted by Ross at May 13, 2005 06:45 PM
Comments
I'm jealous - it sounds like such fun! Hope you continue to enjoy your treking.
Best wishes,
Cindy
Posted by: Cindy Adams at May 15, 2005 09:01 PM
bobcarr2001 in Taranna: just glad to hear you finally made it out of the GTA. Homeland Security, eh? Psst, stay on the paved roads. bc
Posted by: bob carr at May 15, 2005 09:24 PM
Hey you crazy couple - glad to hear you are still married. Ha,ha! I thought you would have said that you eloped to Las Vegas to get remarried, but I guess you are under age to do that huh? What do you have to be, at least 16 to get married there??? So, you really know how to keep people in suspense by leaving us hanging on those high light spots. Guess I will have to stay tuned. What rock station are you on?
Well keep on R.V.ing and don't run anybody over, especially when you are parking.
Have fun!
Betty
Posted by: Betty Mann at May 16, 2005 09:15 AM
Sounds like your getting off to a great start. Have fun and be safe. Good to hear from you. Kathleen (Welcome Wagon Lady)
Posted by: Kathleen Farrell at May 16, 2005 09:24 AM
Will you have enough room for the Grandkid(s) in the RV???
Congratulations,
Jonathan
Posted by: Jonathan at May 17, 2005 01:41 AM
Hi Ross, I don't know if you will receive this but Bob passed your message along to me. Your trip sounds fantastic and I am very glad to hear you are still married. haha. Lets just hope it stays that way. I am glad you are having a marvelous time, and getting to see so many of your friends and family and no doubt making a few new ones on your travels. Take care, Keep Safe and Stay warm... Sharon Smith
Posted by: Sharon Smith at May 17, 2005 03:45 AM
That's crap!!! It takes me thirty minutes to cross the border with a single bag and that's a good crossing. Did I tell you my strip search tale from hell?
Keep on truckin'!!!
Posted by: Mike at May 17, 2005 08:59 AM