Leavin dem dar hills

[digger]

Thought it was going to be one of those damn hillbilly jokes, didn't ya?

Going to Niagara Falls next month. Got our passports coming and want to spend a day or 2 on the Canadian side.
Man, the questions on the passport papers...
Where were your Mom and Dad born?
When were you married? When were ya divorced? Where was she born?

Just wondering if I need know anything?
Anything legal over here is good there, right? (As long as I don't have a firearm anyway.) I've been fouled up in dry counties before and don't care for it.
Have to pay a tax on the things we bring back?
Being right at the border, I'm guessing there will be somewhere to exchange money, or they will take US currency?
When ya cross the border, is it about like a road check? As long as we show our passports either way, we're good?

I know it's just Canada, but I don't want any surprises. After 9-11, who knows?

 

[hamz9561]

The border crossing is just like a road block, your passports will be checked to make sure that you're a legal US citizen. You will have to pay tax on certain items. When we go to Mexico and return we have to pay taxes on cigarettes and booze.

Your drivers license should be good there. Don't take your guns , they might think it's an invasion. Don't sing "Blame Canada," or they'll probably throw you in jail and throw away the key.

They should take your currency without a problem except in vending machines.

I was there in the mid 70s and had a really good time. The Maid of the Mist is a good boat tour. I remember also seeing the museum there that had some the devices that people used to go over the falls. They also had a light show at night pn the falls.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[godale03]

The other thing I don't think you have to worry about is Canada being dry. The beer there has a higher alcohol content than american brew too... which is also nice. LOL

 

[digger]

Thanks guys. Was there 2 years ago, just on the American side.

 

[Rolex]

I guess you already know that they sell fireworks in super stores, but you're in deep if you try to bring it back across. No big deal getting in.
Close to the border is never a problem. 2 blocks further into Montreal and all the waitresses pretend they don't even understand 'Men's Room'. Rude. Just plain rude. Yup, they hate the tourists invading their town, but right along the border they LOVE to take our money.

 

[digger]

Don't really care about bringing back fireworks. Just an uneventful vacation, with no hassles. May have a 6 pack or a bottle in the car either way. A few tourist trinkets coming back in.

Got our passport today. Took 4 weeks to get. Never would've thought I would need one just to go to Canada.

Rolex, didn't you live in NY? Think we will be 3 hrs. from Rhinebeck? http://www.oldrhinebeck.org/ Ever been?
I know, another 3 hours of driving, but if we are gonna be that close...
I have to go.

 

[Rolex]

I used to live there, only 23 miles north of New York City, less than an hour from Rhinebeck. I've been there for the air show several times. Some SERIOUS pilots in some SERIOUS antique planes, putting on a super show.
The kids will LOVE it, and so will you, kid.
While you're in the area, I'd recommend checking out the Washingtonville Winery tour and tasting .... uh, nevermind. You're driving, and you'll have kids with you.

It will be easy to head home from Rhinebeck. You'll want to hook up with 87 to 287 south, near Suffern/Mahwah border, to 78, then 81.
Normally I would head in the direction of the Tappan Zee Bridge at that junction, and I'd be about 6 miles from home there.

 

[digger]

No kids with me Bro. 'Ol lady could drive. Not much on the wine thing though.
Whether it's in a box or a bottle with a screw off top. Just never had a taste for it.

Had a chance to go to Rhineback 12 or 15 years ago.
I'm not going to miss it being this close. (I hope.) I love the early aircraft.
Amazing that one guy started it. Would have been great to listen to some of the stories he would have told.

 

[Rolex]

On one occasion when I was there, the opening act for the air show was an R/C air show, complete with the flying Snoopy dog house being chased by the Baron's tri-plane.
Sadly, something went wrong with the tri-plane and it went into the trees, and all the little kids started to cheer. It was definitely NOT part of the show, but the kids thought Snoopy had shot him down.
Several of the antique planes had flown down from Canada. No throttle on the old ones, just a magneto switch for engine on and engine off.

 

[digger]

Yeah, that is a trip. Either wide open, or nothing.
I read somewhere they drank a lot of milk to counteract the castor oil that they inhaled. Wasn't as glamorous as what was in the movies. Still beat being in the trenches.

Figure you have heard of a hit and miss engine? Never saw one in person. Just watched vids on the net. I know how they work, but they still sound weird.


Never saw the snoopy doghouse fly.....
Got to see a couple of those flying lawnmowers though.

 

[digger]

Got 1 more day of work guys.

2 days in Rhineback. Going to the Saturday and Sunday airshow.
Leave Sunday evening and stay in Syracuse one night.
Then to the Canadian side of the falls Monday and Tuesday.

That's all the motels we have reserved. Not sure what we are going to do after that.
I'm more excited about going to the falls than Rhineback. That's not normal.

If ya see anything weird going on up there, just remember....
I don't get out much.
Already saw that ya had to pay taxes on 4oz or more of alcohol when ya cross The border.
If all I have is a 6 pack or so, traffic may be backed up for 10 or 15 minutes.