Borders Crossing Today!!

WHERE ARE WE? Winnipeg, Manitoba

We were in no hurry to hit the road this morning.  We were only gonna drive 2 or 3 hours tops no matter what time of day we started.  So about 11:30 we pulled in the slide and lifted the legs and headed in a southerly direction.  

Archie settled right in for the trip.  We had about an hours drive to the border from the campground.  

I have chosen a route that for the most part follows highway 59.  The highway starts here in Winnipeg and continues into southern Texas.  It stays away from large cities but has some potential for great scenery.  

We arrived at the Lancaster MN border crossing on 59 highway about 1 pm.  We were immediately given a red light and detained.  We were interrogated for an undetermined amount of time, with questions of where, when and how long we would be in the US. In the ensuing questioning, the agent determined we had apparently broken some rule with chicken and he demanded that the chicken be confiscated as punishment.  He demanded to search the motorhome immediately to secure the evidence.  He retained our passports in the office for further processing and with what appeared to be aggressive behavior he stormed on the motorhome and conducted a search.  Sure enough he found the contraband chicken that wasn't in the original packaging and took it into custody!!! Oh Oh.  Now he wanted to check the pantry and spice cupboard and kitchen cupboards!!! What might he find??  After an intensive search he took the chicken and marched out of the motorhome and back in his office.  He proceeded to impart on us the I-94 rule and how we have to apply for it or suffer consequences.  After some time he typed something in his computer and returned our passports, lifted the gate and slammed his door shut.  After what felt like an eternity we were free to go!!!

Ok gotcha. Now I know some of my readers were concerned for our safety and maybe even hopeful that we would have trouble at the border so their unfounded fears of the US border crossings could be confirmed.  None could tell me what trouble they thought would befall us but they were truly concerned because of the things they hear, like in the description of our crossing above.  That description was a little example how a story can be twisted without actually lying to make the reader think that we had a really tough time at the border today. 

Without using the negative adjectives and leaving out the embellished truths I will now relate what actually happened.  Makes for a totally different story!!!

We arrived at 12:55 and stopped at the red light and then proceeded to the window when it turned green.  The officer who met us accepted our passports and asked the normal where were are from, and where we are going and for how long.  He asked if we had fruits, vegetables or meat and Sue said we have some frozen chicken.  He asked to look at it and because it was not in the original package he had to take it.  He had a quick look in the spice closet and after that he said hi to Archie and headed out and gave us back our passports. I asked him about the I-94 and 30 day rule.  He said it is an old rule which is being enforced now and all you have to do is apply online for an I-94 if you will be in the USA for more than 30 days.  And we were on our way.  5 minutes tops!!!   

Careful what you believe based on words which lead your mind in a different direction. 

We had a nice short drive this afternoon.  Lot of harvesting going on.  We are in no hurry to get anywhere fast so will enjoy the scenery and people as we go. 

Here was our route today.  

We ended up at a nice little rest stop called Oak Lake Rest Stop.   Archie thinks it is a great spot. 

 

We took a little drive into the town of Erskine MN just to look around and lo and behold they have a swimming hole like the one at the campground yesterday.  It is about the same size and is on the shore of a lake that may be having some algae problems.  Hopefully one day we will have one of these in Rivers for the kids.

Sue is feeling under the weather a bit today so I got to try one of my TV dinners.  As usual it filled the hole but did nothing for the taste buds.  

My view out the door this afternoon.  

And a sunset to end another day.