Monday, July 4, 2011

The Border/ My World

Bridge over the Niagara River

Traveling from Canada to the United States is usually fun...but sometimes a little slo-o-ow-w-w when the traffic is heavy. Last time we were a kilometre or two from the border, I had plenty of time to take photos while cars and trucks moved at a snail's pace.

Duty free shop signs

I thought about getting out of the car to take touristy-type photos, but there were signs warning us to stay in our cars. We were all captives.

But wait! The passenger in the car ahead must not have read the signs. She jumped out and ran across the parking lot to a johnny-on-the-spot. Would she make it back to the car before it got to the bridge? She took a long, long time... would she make it?

She did!


Ummmm.  Are we supposed to be wearing life jackets? I thought we were going to drive OVER the bridge.

Flags at the middle of the bridge marking the international border

What's that ahead? The border? But what does that sign mean, autos prohibited?  (Yep, your right that sign meant no cars in THAT lane.)


That's 2 KILOMETRES per hour, a little more than mile an hour

Actually, the 2 km per hour was a bit of an exaggeration. It took us nearly 90 minutes to  travel two kilometres.  And I never did discover why the traffic was moving so slowly.

Will I ever cross into the U.S. again? You betcha! :)

I am linking to My World.


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47 comments:

  1. eileeninmdJuly 4, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    That must have been some slow traffic crossing the border. Cute post and great photos.

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  2. AndyJuly 4, 2011 at 7:39 AM

    To the lady that ran to the Johnny On The Spot... when you gotta go you gotta go.

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  3. DarlaJuly 4, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    Great post! Come on over any time :-)

    Darla

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  4. TexWisGirlJuly 4, 2011 at 8:24 AM

    :) yikes! at least you entertained yourself (and us) with your camera!

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  5. McGillicuttyJuly 4, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Love the pics of the flags... I don't know if I could be so patient.. what's the freakin' hold up people???? and what is in the lane if no automobiles??? donkeys???

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  6. Penelope NotesJuly 4, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Oh, yes … I know that snails pace very well as I, too, live by the Canadian/US border. I had to laugh at your take on the signs along the way. Sometimes we are truly trapped in our cars with nowhere to go but forward. Reading signs can sure help pass the time. :)

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  7. RoanJuly 4, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Now that's a long 2 kilometres. And I used to hate Dallas traffic. At least you had your camera for entertainment.

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  8. Small City ScenesJuly 4, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    Looks like the border crossinga here too. The one at the Blaine Peace Arch is sometimes hours. We try to cross at the smaller crossings but still you have to time it just right.
    Good series and I love your comments. MB

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  9. CarverJuly 4, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Fun look at the border crossing. Having a camera, even if you stay in the car, probably helps with the wait.

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  10. BirdmanJuly 4, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    Ya, sometimes holiday travel is a royal pain. No way around it.

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  11. MichelleJuly 4, 2011 at 11:34 AM

    Great photos. Crossing the border is an interesting venture as I have been to your country a few times!

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  12. Rambling WoodsJuly 4, 2011 at 11:48 AM

    Yes it can time..but Canada is one of our favorite places to go and you are so close here in Buffalo...

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  13. KathyJuly 4, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    An absolutely delightful post. I loved it!

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  14. MalyssJuly 4, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    The good thing of the slow speed is that it gave you time to make great pictures for a very interesting and funny post!So,I wish you will cross the border again soon! :o))

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  15. LeoraJuly 4, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Hmm, we are thinking of visiting Niagara this summer. Sounds like certain parts of the trip may be slow. I'm wondering what you would do with a trip across the George Washington Bridge... traffic creeps.

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  16. RedPatJuly 4, 2011 at 2:48 PM

    I hate lineups! Good you had your camera to amuse yourself.

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  17. ♥♥ Willa ♥♥July 4, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    my in-laws from OH, USA came here (Windsor) yesterday to visit us, so far, the border traffic was ok.

    My World Tuesday

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  18. UnknownJuly 4, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Great post. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  19. LivingSoAbundantlyJuly 4, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    What a neat post! Growing up near Canada in Michigan, we used to travel over a lot. In fact, one of the best fire work shows I've ever seen was in Windsor!

    Living So Abundantly: New meme coming this Thursday, July 7, 2011, Give Back Thursday--come join the fun!

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  20. SivindenJuly 4, 2011 at 3:52 PM

    You really got your patience tested;)

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  21. Sylvia KJuly 4, 2011 at 4:00 PM

    What a fun post for the day! I love it! Reading signs like all of these is what makes traveling fun -- well, sometimes! You got my week off to a great start! Have a good week!

    Sylvia

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  22. Lois EvensenJuly 4, 2011 at 4:38 PM

    I've driven over that bridge more than once and must have been there at pretty good times for traffic flow. :) Your experience in pictures is a hoot. :)

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  23. TaniaJuly 4, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    Patience is the word.. Many good signs I've never seen before.
    Hope you have a great week:-)

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  24. AlJuly 4, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    Fun post, but it wouldn't have been fun sitting in that traffic. I don't like border crossings, they're so unpredictable in terms of time.

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  25. LowellJuly 4, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    What a funny post! I've missed your sense of humor...and your photos. That top photo is perfect!

    Thanks for your nice comment! I'll be back shortly...

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  26. VioletSkyJuly 4, 2011 at 5:34 PM

    I would have been chomping at the bit the whole time. I know because I have been there, too! This weekend must have been particularly hellish to cross.

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  27. FjällripanJuly 4, 2011 at 5:43 PM

    What a trip! Great and fun post :) Have a nice day!

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  28. Yogi♪♪♪July 4, 2011 at 7:06 PM

    Thanks for making the trip over. It has been years since I've crossed a border. It is a lot different deal then.

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  29. snowwhiteJuly 4, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Thanks for posting such an interesting and fun story. I enjoyed your tour and knew how tough it is to cross the border. Some sign is really funny!
    EG Wow, have a great week!

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  30. Kris McCrackenJuly 4, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    I really enjoyed this series, especially the bit about the life jackets. You could have a great deal of fun with a captured audience with that electronic sign.

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  31. Kris McCrackenJuly 4, 2011 at 9:43 PM

    WAR IS PEACE!

    FREEDOM IS SLAVERY!

    IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH!

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  32. JackJuly 4, 2011 at 10:21 PM

    Very interesting post today, EG. I don't live in a place where frequent border crossings are part of my life. Love the two flags on the bridge

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  33. Lisa GordonJuly 4, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Oh my goodness, what a wonderful post!!
    Thank you for the smiles!!! :-) :-)

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  34. RandyJuly 4, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    Nice shots. It's interesting to see different border crossing.

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  35. GeorgeJuly 4, 2011 at 11:28 PM

    Thanks for an interesting and unique look at our common border.

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  36. TesJuly 5, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Glad you enjoyed your stay! Come over anytime! :)

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  37. GattinaJuly 5, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Not getting out of the car ?? Reminds me when the wall was still standing and Western Germans wanted to go to Berlin and had to cross the Eastern Germany part they weren't allowed either to get out of the car.
    No wonder that the word "Freedom" is so much used in the USA !
    Don't forget to buy a life jacket !

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  38. Stewart MJuly 5, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Hi there - interesting post. It would be a nice contrast to see what the border between the USA and Mexico look like!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  39. ArijaJuly 5, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Ha, ha, that reminds me of crossing back from Quebec to Vermont with two smallish children late in the evening without realising that the Prof's work visa did not cover multiple entries! We had just visited his parents in Montreal and about the same time as it took you and a few phone calls to Washington and we were finally free to re-enter the U.S.of A.

    Loved your great photoshoot!!

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  40. Cezar and LéiaJuly 5, 2011 at 5:43 AM

    Great signs, my favorite is the picture with the beautiful flags! This composition is awesome!
    Léia

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  41. SistertexJuly 5, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Enjoyable post! :) Say, where were you crossing over? (State in the US?)

    Just curious.

    Have a wonderful Tuesday?

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  42. Gwendolyn LJuly 5, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    I love your sense of humor. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos as well.

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  43. IndraniJuly 5, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Great captures for the post.

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  44. FranciscaJuly 5, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Border crossings are not my favorite part of traveling...

    [@EG... about your comment on my Y post, thanks. That was 10 (not 20) shawls for 20 bucks, but I surely have bought many more over the years... :-D ...those make easy to pack and easy on the wallet gifts! Plus I wear them myself... black pants, black tops with a range of colourful scarves, and voila! my travel wardrobe!]

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  45. forgetmenotJuly 5, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Glad you came to visit. Sometimes it can be slow going, and for the silliest reasons too. Fun shots. Mickie :)

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  46. Kay L. DaviesJuly 5, 2011 at 10:42 PM

    Oboy, minus the bridge and the interesting albeit somewhat confusing signs, this could be a description of the traffic at the Peace Arch border crossing near my hometown in BC.
    — K

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  47. AnonymousJuly 6, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    You're very patient. I hate getting stuck in lines at the border - or anywhere else. But come back any time! :)

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