We toured Canada by RV in the summer of 2008 driving around Lake Superior.
We had our passports, etc. What we didn't know, is that there is a limit on alcohol allowed into Canada from the USA. When asked how much we had on board at the border station, I said I didn't know. We were asked to pull up for inspection.
A couple of years earlier, we had toured the Napa/Sonoma area buying different wines. Some of those wines were transferred into the new coach and had been there for months and months. I actually forgot how much was in the coach.
Well, the agents went cupboard to cupboard looking. The agents could have torn the coach apart if they wanted to. Maybe they realized that we were just tourists with no hidden agenda.
There are two choices, either they take the 'overage' of alcohol or you pay a tax/fine and it's THEIR choice on which route is taken. We were given the tax/fine route of $183.00. I was pleased as the wine they would have taken would have cost way more than that to replace.
The agent told us that we were now 'flagged' in the computer. We certainly enjoyed our stay in Canada. I didn't have to buy fuel there as our Dynasty had a 150 gallon fuel tank and fuel at that time was $5.25 a gallon. Just as soon as we entered Michigan, I filled up at $4.99 a gallon (saved a few bucks).
In 2013, we decided to tour Niagara Falls from the Canadian side and then take a train tour across Canada to Vancouver. Canada is a beautiful country. We entered by aircraft not taking the coach.
Going through Customs twice (entering and exiting), it was never mentioned that we were 'flagged' in their computer. Easy-peasy.
In one of the campgrounds around Lake Superior back in 2008, they lost their 30 amp power. I was startled when our generator kicked on when the batteries fell to that certain level. When I opened the door to step outside, I could hear other generators running. It was just part of the Canadian ambiance.
It was my fault for not checking the requirements for entering Canada. Now I know and will check again if decide to take the coach for another tour.
Safe travels,
MM.
