Crossing the US/Canadian Border

A long rant you already know
Buying Booze in the US

Tips on crossing the border

I am not sure why the worlds largest trading partners cannot work out a better border crossing system than, "Mother, May I?", but as long as the United States Congress and therefore the US Customs Service keeps treating everyone crossing the border as a potential terrorist, drug smuggler or Welfare cheat, the Canadian Customs people will keep retaliating with similar restrictions and the problem will keep getting worse.

As it stands right now, the Blaine/Peace Arch border is a very difficult place to cross. There are alternatives and they usually worth the hassle. But regardless of where you cross, you are eventually going to talk to a Customs Agent and you might as well have a good story ready.

The best advice I have is never really lie. If you are caught lying to the Customs Agent, it can be grounds for refusing entry. Therefore I suggest you not volunteer every scrap of information. Just tell them where you are sort of heading and go from there.

For instance, if they ask you a destination, tell them you are camping in Oregon and Nevada. Explain you are visiting Crater Lake and camping in Oregon. You already have a car full of camping gear. If they inquire further and ask if you are heading to Burning Man, smile and tell them yes. Don't lie and say no, because that could deny you entry and we want you to come visit us.

Of course, if you already have little Burning Man stickers covering your vehicle or a sign that says, "Burning Man or Bust" or possibly a large disco ball attached to the roof of your car, any bright-eyed public servant will be able to figure out you are not on your way to the Mormon Temple for a stirring week of reaffirming your religious beliefs. I do not mean to pick on any Mormons, I only mention this because at one time I socialized with far more Mormons In Good Standing that actually came down from Vancouver. BC to Bellevue, WA to visit the Temple. Unfortunately, this excuse breaks down because not one person I ever met who visited the temple ever camped there or had a disco ball on their roof. It could be I have been hanging around the wrong Latter-Day Saints. If you happen to be a Mormon that has a disco ball on your car and you camp out at the Temple, drop me a line. I like to meet all types of people.

So if you are crossing the border and the man at the booth asks you, "Where is your destination? How about mentioning something like Mount Shasta, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, Utah's Bryce Canyon, something far enough away and remote enough that it might require a car full of camping gear.

But if you do have an excuse like this, do yourself a big favor and brush up on your stated destination. If you say, "Yellowstone" for instance, take the time to learn it's in Wyoming. Have a few maps handy or know how you are getting there. You know, in case they ask you something like, "What route are you taking?" you can be ready with something like, "Well, we're going down 99 here to I-90, then following that out to Montana, then we take a right and follow the signs."

After you figure out the border, you are pretty much set. The only other hassles you will face along the way are police officers, people who turn their noses up at your funny money and let us not forget the California Agricultural Station. Other than that, you are home free.

Oh and lest I forget, be sure to load up on duty free booze, smokes and other items before you cross into the US.

Buying Booze in the US

What kind of alcoholics need help on how to buy booze? Thirsty alcoholics, that's who.

Alcoholics with restrictions where they are only allowed to carry 1 bottle of liquor with them. Actually, I think you can bring more, but you may have to pay a duty on it on top of the excessive taxes you already threw down in BC or Alberta. If you are coming through any other Province, you most likely paid stiff taxes too, but we're concentrating on Western alcoholics right now.

Buying alcoholic beverages in Washington, Oregon and Idaho will be similar to buying alcohol in Alberta or British Columbia. The biggest difference is that you can buy beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. Grain alcohol such as vodka, tequila or liquours such as Midori must be purchased in hard-to-find state run liquor stores with really crappy hours and a limited selection. But if you are from BC or Alberta, you are used to that by now. You can buy alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine in Washington State from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM any day of the week. Liquor stores are open from 10 AM to 8PM. Oregon allows sales between 7:00 AM to 2:30 AM with liquor stores open about the same as Washington. Idaho allows sales between 6:00 AM and 1:00 AM.

Montana, California and Nevada allow liquor sales at any store. California sells alcohol from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Nevada is wide open. I do not believe there is any restrictions. You can walk into Bruno's Country Club and get soused at any time.

The cheapest booze will be in California, but you have to pass by a discount store that is actually open. So if you are coming across the border around noon, that will be not one single store by the time you hit California 12 to 14 hours from the time you cross. It's something to think about.

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