Crossing the Northern Border
Recently, GT’s Patty Vanikiotis wrote a blog about crossing the US-Mexico border. One of my funniest travel experiences involved the US-Canada border.
In 2002, my friends and I planned to go to Detroit and Toronto for our annual baseball trip. This was less than a year after 9/11, and security at the border was very tight.
I drove the four of us in my Blazer all the way to Detroit. It was only after I pulled out my wallet at the hotel that I realized I had left my driver’s license at home. I had played softball the previous evening, and I only carry my license and loose cash to the games. The next morning, I grabbed my wallet (minus the license) and was on my way.
Getting into Canada without a license or any other picture ID would be impossible, so we set out to obtain a new ID. It actually wasn’t even that hard. After getting a few places from the phone book, we found the first place right by our hotel. At Bob’s Shop, Bob made a nice ID for me within minutes. He also offered to supply me with a birth certificate. I passed on that (wouldn’t my ink footprint be a bit large?).
The big test came when we attempted to enter Canada. Chuck drove and handed the border guard our four licenses (with my new ID in the strategic third slot for minimum impact). Even with this chicanery, we were still stalled, as none of us small-brains had thought to bring a passport.
I think Chuck offered to show the guard every piece of information we had in the truck, including business cards, insurance cards and an old birthday card that was wedged under my seat. The guard apparently had heard enough and stated that she was telling us for the last time. Then came Jim’s moment to shine. He pulled out a voter’s card, which the guard accepted as proof enough.
A funny after-effect happened at the game in Toronto. Chuck and I went to buy beers. The vendor asked for ID (even though we were both clearly over 21). The vendor nodded at my new ID and passed it back, but he scrutinized Chuck’s legit ID for several seconds before passing it back to him and giving us the beers.
Aside from the ID fiasco (which has now become one of our favorite stories), we all agreed that Toronto was a world-class city. The Hockey Hall of Fame, The Sky Dome (now the Rogers Centre) and the CN Tower are magnificent. The Toronto Zoo and HTO Park (Toronto’s first official urban beach) are great places to spend a day.
Every meal we had in Toronto was awesome. Even the veggie dogs at the Sky Dome were exceptional! Each restaurant was better than the previous. Jim was the hero once again when he secured the best table at an outdoor restaurant (unknowingly bypassing a lengthy line of waiting people). Sitting there, in the raised booth overlooking downtown Toronto, is a moment frozen in my mind. I get relaxed just recalling it.
I would love to go back to Toronto. I’d love to spend more time there checking out more sights. I’d also like to see a Maple Leafs (an original NHL franchise) game.
I would also encourage anyone to visit our neighbor to the North. Just remember to bring proper identification (or else drop in and see Bob).
-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
January 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Toronto is a world class city. Toronto appreciates tourism and is very ready to welcome anyone for a visit. The city is so clean. I have spent a lot of time in Toronto. It just keeps getting better and better, without losing its hospitable nature.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
You are so right about the food at the Sky Dome. It is among the best in all of sports. It almost makes the bad baseball tolerable.
January 7th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
The Hockey Hall of Fame is amazing. Even for non-sports fans, the place drips with history. This is unlike any of the other Halls of Fame.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Canada is like one major hidden gem, which sometimes gets unfairly mocked. There is so much to do in Canada and the architecture (new and old) is beautiful. I rent a cabin up there at least once a year. I am so relaxed there and I get to see beautiful nature and cities on my way up.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
John, I know a few college students who would like Bob’s number!
My husband still likes to remind me that I left my passport at home when just the two of us headed north to Vancouver, B.C., for a romantic weekend sometime post-9/11. I did have my driver’s license, but we still had to go inside the border station where the officials tried to look very stern and remind me that I should bring my passport next time. Not to worry, my husband will make sure I NEVER forget it again!
January 7th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
When doing some research for this blog, I found out that Bob is no longer operating his shop (or at least that shop). It seems his place was shut down. No surprise there. Apparently it was well known around the Detroit area for producing ID’s with no questions asked. I remember mine did not have a Date of Birth. Instead it just had my age.
January 7th, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Great story. My recollections of Toronto are also fond, however some of the restaurants have major plumbing issues. Their toliets seem to get clogged alot.
Bobby D.
January 8th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I lived in the Toronto area for a while. I was very surprised at the quality of restaurants there. At first, I found a great place and ate there a lot. Then I started venturing out and eating at new places every time. I don’t remember ever getting a bad meal. A couple, only a couple, were just okay. The rest were tops. When people visited, they were just as surprised at the great restaurants I chose.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:00 am
I loved my time in Toronto. My job sent me there for a few years. I have been to a lot of cities, but I have to say that Toronto ranks right up there on the list. It is pristine. If it only was a bit warmer, it would be perfect.
People might laugh about the Blue Jays (although they won a World Series), the Raptors and even the CFL, but hockey is their sport. The other sports just have to catch up. Hockey and the Maple Leafs are revered there.
January 8th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Let’s not forget “Oh Canada”, the best national anthem!