Crossing the Border

With great anticipation and fear we approached the border crossing into Canada on Wednesday, June 17.  We had heard horror stories of the border patrol officers climbing into motor homes and searching through everything inside. (And of course, if this happens, the officers do not place things back in neat order like they found them.)   Sometimes they will conduct a search if they suspect that you are not telling the truth while answering the questions they ask.  Other times they will  select a victim just at random.  Maybe they have a quota to meet or maybe they do it just for show - to serve as a warning to other drivers who watch the search happen as they approach the border patrol.  Anyway and for whatever reason, all our caravan members were more than a little anxious as we approached the border.

We were about 5th in line at the only patrol booth that was open. As we moved forward we knew that one more of our group had passed through, hopefully without a hitch. Suddenly an officer came from in front of the vehicles ahead of us and motioned for us to get in the lane for a booth that just opened.  We didn't know if this was a good thing or a bad thing, but we had to do it anyway.  So here we are at the booth ready to be questioned.  The first thing the officer said to us was, "Don't set your air brakes."  I thought, this might be good - we won't be here long. And basically, that was true.  We were questioned for only a few minutes.  The only credentials he asked for were drivers' licenses and passports.  We had those ready to show him along with insurance cards for motor home and truck and our medication lists.  Then he started with the questions.  "Do you have a weapon on board, sir?" Buck answered that he did not.  "Don't you have a weapon to protect yourself back home?"  Buck answered that he did.  "Why did you not bring it with you?"  Buck answered, "because it's against the law in Canada."   The officer replied, "Good day sir, enjoy your stay in Canada."  

All our caravan members made it across the border without a problem.  We're told that while the first experience may not be so bad, the next one very well could be.  It all depends on the officer sitting in the booth at the border crossing and how much harassment he wants to dish out.  We will cross the border three additional times before ending up in Washington state in September.  So while we're happy we passed this time, we know there's more stress ahead. 

Once we crossed the border we were in Alberta, Canada.  Alberta is a large province containing many counties, cities, and small towns.  A province in Canada is like a state in the US.  During our time in Alberta we have stayed in three Alberta towns:  Ft. MacLeod, Rocky Mountain House, and Whitecourt.  These were one-night stays.  Traveling to Ft. MacLeod from Great Fall,s Montana, we drove 220 miles; from Ft. MacLeod to Rocky Mountain House, we drove 250 miles; and from there to Whitecourt we drove only 150 miles.  Each day's leg has taken us north and west as we travel towards Alaska.

In Whitecourt we were greeted by the mayor at the interpretative center/visitors center. We were also treated to a pizza supper by the caravan.

The province we're in today is British Columbia.  We're at Dawson Creek at a campground called "Mile 0 RV Park."  This campground sits off the Alaskan Highway.  We will travel on this highway to enter Alaska in a few days.  We're at Dawson Creek for four nights.  This gives us time to rest, to do laundry, and to visit the area.  Today at 1:30 we're celebrating Father's Day with cake and fellowship.  After that we'll have a group picture made with our caravan members. We must wear our new Northern Exposure Caravan green jackets.  After the picture-taking,we will have free time until the 7:00 travel meeting on our last night here - June 23.

At Ft. MacLeod, we found some Canadian buffalo grazing in a pasture. They're not as privileged as those in Yellowstone.