A Canadian Travel Saga

[Brian_M]

With thanks and apologies to Cbuzz, I offer a brief narrative of my annual adventure up to Rapide Seven, (Lake Decelles) Quebec, Canada. Having just returned last night and still processing the photos, I'll take Cbuzz's approach and add chapters as they are available. hopefully, I can get the photo's to merge with the text....Now Chapter one

Friday morning, August 13th the day of departure for my annual sabbatical before starting college for the fall semester. Friday the 13th, I should have heeded the superstitions and have waited a day, Tropical Depression Bonnie was roaring up the Mid Atlantic inland areas, threatening our 32 ft Carver moored in Deltaville, and Hurricane Charlie was knocking at the Florida panhandle door, expected to grow to a category three before landfall, and follow Bonnie's path through the Piedmont area of Virginia.

So much for caution and responsibility….I left home at 830 on an expected 22 driving hour excursion, stopping for the first gas stop 4 miles from home, a fill up and quick bearing check, $1.89 a gallon and cool bearings were a sign from the travel gods to continue on, even the trailer brakes worked after a couple weeks of surgery, cussing and parts replacements.Travel was easy, light traffic, good roads and great weather, I averaged 12 miles per gallon so I had several opportunities to stretch my legs, walk the dog and add significantly to my debt, at the same time adding to Chevron's corporate wealth and increase the trade deficit. It's amazing that a simple fishing trip can have global impacts. Eleven hours later, the first event occurred of what was to be a long week.


Pulling up to the Thousand Islands Canadian Customs station, after a 40 minute wait, I answered a multitude of questions as the inspector took fastidious notes: I also provided a birth certificate, dog shot records, and a couple picture ID's. Honesty is always the best policy is my motto, but it seems I was honest enough to report that I was importing too much alcohol, a 4 liter bottle of California's finest red table wine, and a 1.75 liter bottle of bottom shelf rum. "Please pull over to the pavilion and see a customs inspector, give them this card" the inspector said as he handed me my vital papers and "the card". I parked in the covered area reserved for smugglers and other criminals and walked sheepishly into the office space where I was immediately called to window 3, where the complex customs rules were explained in excruciating detail. After my education in revenue protection at the borders, the agent asked if I wanted to forfeit the alcohol; needing a stiff drink, I declined and offered to pay the applicable duty. I was immediately ushered to window one "for further processing". The agent at window one asked the same questions and announced that the duty owed was 13 dollars Canadian (about $9 US) or I could forfeit the offending liquid; again deciding to keep the booze. I was directed to go back to window three for final processing. A different agent asked the same questions and once again and for the third time, I was offered an opportunity to forfeit the devils drink ….Really needing a drink by now I paid the duty and was cleared for travels northward. Before leaving the border area, I needed to stop at the currency exchange, just my luck, they closed as I pulled up, my adventure at the customs had delayed me almost two hours including the wait time just to meet the customs agents. On a Friday night with less than a 1/2 tank of gas, I was destined to be at the mercy of proprietors to determine and negotiate exchange rates, which ranged from eighty to seventy percent when the official rate was near 76%. Onward north, I stopped at the Rideau River Provincial Park Campground for the night and fed the Ontario version of mosquito bats after leaving the camper top back panel open for a little ventilation…..

Photos:



Abitibi Tourist Region Map, Lake Decelles is centered



Rideau River Park, Ontario, Canada

[macojoe]

I have a feeling this is going to be good!! Not good trip :( but a very good story!! You guy can sure write!

Chapter 2!!

[jaysea]

Some advise,use a credit card,the bank will get the correct exchange in canada .I've been through that seen.

[Mac_Attack]

I keep my V20 at my inlaws cottage in Canada just outside of Windsor, Ont. We pass though customs everyweekend. Some agents ask more than others only give them short answers and sometimes you even lie. Keep telling us the story and more photos. How'd you like the locks? Bill Mc ;D