Grandma Carol: You are right, the closest Walmart is Albert Lea and it is just off of I-35 on the left side of the interstate.
Spoke with the company that we are suppose to do the Arctic Ocean Tour with and at this time Homeland Security has not approved the tour/date we want to go on! They will let me know if there are any changes but looks like we might have to make alternate plans. We are looking at going down to Valdez for a couple days, possibly take a day ferry to Cordova and then take the ferry over to Whitter.
This means we may have the do the trip again next year!!!
Three weeks from now--on the road!!!
GrandmaCarol:
Just looked at Explore North web page about trip to get bread. Started salivating--had to get mop! Thanks for the heads-up on the grocery store/Walmart locations. However, after looking at customs pages, am somewhat unsure how much of what we can take into Canada legally. Is there anything of the food variety that illegal for entry?
Am I trying to read more into this than is needed, or am I perhaps looking in the wrong place for this information?
Cheryl:
Thank you for your thoughts concerning CG's on the way,along with joe b's. Have been looking at some of the same CG's, but y'all gave me a lot more to explore.
joe b.
I appreciate the time and effort you have put into your web pages. Good reading, good info, and enjoyable. Thank you.
Murray (ExploreNorth)always knows how to put together great information! He has been a help to me on each of our trips!
I hope someone here will correct me if I'm wrong - but I'm not going to worry too much about what I take across the border, as long as there's not very much of any item - and as long as it is labeled. The only thing we had taken from us before was grapes - but that was as we were entering the U.S. at Haines. I think it will depend on the mood of the person on border patrol! However, I will be checking out the customs page at the last minute to see if there are any changes. Here's the page I use: http://www.beaware.gc.ca/english/brirape.shtml#a1
Sharay, thanks for the kind comments. I am so envious of those of you, getting ready to head to the north country, I can barely stand it. LOL But we were up there last summer and my budget, tends to only allow, every other summer. Takes me about two years to save up enough in my travel budget, to go. So Colorado it will be, for this summer, much better than the heat and humidity of south Florida.
It would pleasure a bunch of us greatly, if those of you going north, would take lots of photos and send in many posting of your trip to this forum as you go along. Being able to live vicariously, through those of you going, will have to do for me, this year. But that is the second best to one's going themselves.
The border officials have "great discretion" as to what they allow or not. I would love to sit through some of their training classes to see how they learn to ask the questions they ask. I always get asked the standard ATF questions while they wait for my information to pull up on their computer screen. (alcohol, tobacco firearms) When the information comes up, they only want to talk about my firearms and the jobs I have had in the past that required the use of same. And do I have any with me? LOL Suspect I could have anything in my fridge and never be asked about it. Which is OK by me. I do consider border crossings to be a pleasant way to spend some time with real professionals. My wife gets a bit un-easy at times, at our treatment.
As long as a person doesn't have any items that are "illegal" such as handguns, drugs, small containers of pepper spray, stolen property, etc., there is no major issue. You may have to give up a fruit, some fresh meat, etc. but nothing more, so long as you declare it when asked. If you are over the limit on alcohol, you might have to pay some duty on it, going either way. Just answer the questions honestly, but don't elaborate with your answers. If a yes or no will answer the officer's question, go with that. I don't believe that "having a good sense of humor", is anything they are looking for when hiring border officers. LOL
joe b.
Stuart Florida
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Chevy 3500 DRW Dmax CC - Rockwood 8281 SS 5th Whl & 2008 Lance 845 TC www.pajbcooper.com web site
Alaska Trip 2011 posted
Colo-Utah-Ariz 2012 trip posted
"Without challenge, adventure is impossible".
Lately meat has been ok but fresh fruit and vegetables are still a hit or miss; definitely non packaged fruit/vegetables are out. Firewood has also been restricted and absolutely no weapons unless prior approved by Canadian permit for entrance into the country.
Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition (4x4 auto)
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net
joe b. wrote: I don't believe that "having a good sense of humor", is anything they are looking for when hiring border officers.
LOL!! Yes that is one thing they all seem to have in common!! Although when the lady took our grapes away from us at the Haines border, the other agent got us aside and said "this is her last day here thank goodness!"
For those on there first GAH trip, you might like to know that Winnebago serves us a very nice continental breakfast on the morning of our orientation.
Question for those that have made the adventure in the past, what is a general dollar amount to complete the trip, including fuel, RV rental costs and any extra mileage fees? What is an average number of days to complete the trip to Anchorage? I guess the only other major expense is the trip back, I won't count any food expense.
I'd started putting things in the guest room (suitcases, clothes, etc.). Really thought I had a method. Now company coming this weekend and I'll move it and start back up on Tuesday.
Thanks Grandma Carol - that's good to know about the breakfast! Was hoping to get a tour of the factory also. Did you do that? Is it routinely offered or did you make plans in advance?
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