[contour5]

They let him out on a 30 day pass. Takes 35 days to get a Canadian visa... to be continued

[sarbar]

When my oldest son was a few years old (pre 9-11) I had taken him to Victoria for a few days. I think he was 3? I don't remember now. Anyhow, I had no issues going into Canada but coming back that time I had the jerkiest guy. At the time my son only had my name on his birth certificate and the guy took the time to go on the windiest speech about how single moms were the reason America was going to hell in a handbasket. That guy would NOT shut up and I had to stand there and smile through it like he was some kind of benevolent god. He had no right to demean me or my son - and yes, he called my son a bastard. But what could I do? I couldn't say anything. Frankly, it was a breeze a few years back getting my oldest son his first passport, even with having to send in my court paperwork showing I have 100% custody (his BC has both names now). Now when we travel no one sees the difference outside of different last names. But hey, I attract asses like crazy. Don't get me started on the TSA agent and her supervisor who claimed I had to throw out sealed bottles of ready to drink baby formula.....even though on the TSA website it says in loud print that is allowed. I argued that one into the ground (I was in DC) and I won - after I got so loud that a supervisor over those two idiots heard me - ran the sealed bottles through the machine that checks for leaks - and said "here you go, have a good flight". My lesson in all this is...there will always be idiots and jerks. Thankfully most times I don't encounter them.

[Malachai Constant]

Sounds like the guy in Annacourtous we got coming back from the San Juan's when we made the mistake of getting on the "International" ferry, he wanted to inspect our console (we were thinking he was talking about our TV ) . Almost made us go to the "little room"

[Chief Joseph]

That sucks Sarbar, people can be such jerks, especially when they are in positions of 'power'....I simply stay away from foreign countries, problem solved. I mean, realistically in my lifetime I could never visit all of the awesome places in America, so going abroad makes absolutely no sense to me. Economically and safety wise, it's simply not worth the cost and the risk imho. Hike in Iraqi Kurdistan? I would pass even if someone paid me for it... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9311_detention_of_American_hikers_by_Iran

[Frosty]

Just pointing out that all the bad stories about border guards while ' getting out' of Canada, will be your US guards...and yes, there are nice ones and not nice ones on each side. Thankfully the vast majority of them are very courteous. Going across either border with a child, without both parents present, you have to be prepared to produce both a passport and a notarized permission from one or both parents, giving both a date of entry and a date of return. If the other parent had died, presumably they would want to see a death certificate. I think it makes sense, but probably deters spur of the moment day trips across the border with kid's friends or grand kids...

[Karen²]

[fourteen410]

Maybe I've been lucky, but I've had nothing but good experiences crossing into Canada. There are obviously bad apples on each side, but all of the US border guards I've encountered have sticks up their butts.

[mike]

[Spotly]

[Spotly]

[Chief joseph]

Again, plenty of places to see here, absolutely no reason for me to go there. But, why should anyone care or feel the need to make sarcastic comments about something that is simply my opinion?

[Karen²]

I agree with you, there are lots of beautiful places in the US to see, and I've seen lots of them. But there are other treasures beyond your great borders.

[forest gnome]

derr ....me mom is cansadian..anyway I got asked once if I had ever been arrested by a young canadian guy and his trainee...I was driving a scummy honda prelude with 5 days beard with a 23gallon propane tank and battery's in the trunk...I just rubbed my chin and looked at him like are u a friggin moron ..and asked... like for what like robbing a bank or something!?? funny.... when I was lucky enough to live and ski-mountaineer the backcountry in whistler for 4 seasons..I alway kept my ski-patroll jacket with the cross showing in the back seat, worked like a charm! even with the Taco Del Mar sticker "roll a fat one today" stuck next to the liscence plate!!

[cairn builder]

I've had some fantastic experiences in Canada and seen incredible things. The Rockies only get better as you go north. BC has so much natural beauty it's incredible.

[fourteen410]

^ agreed. Alberta is fantastic, too. The icefields parkway was the most beautiful drive I've done in my life. I love Canada. The people are friendly, the food tastes better, and the scenery is outstanding. Plus it's fun to drive 100 (kph) on the highways