Land Border Opening?

[ellbell]

You left out the part of needing proof of a negative COVID test before you cross back in. I wouldn't call having to quarantine for 2 weeks "not a hoop." Especially for those who cannot work from home and have children that need to attend school.

As you can likely tell from my handle, we are a family of 8. So, no, it's definitely not the same cost to fly as it is to drive. We'd be looking at quadruple the price. The land border is closed when you can only cross it one way.

This thread is a "watch thread" for when things open up to the point where most of us can get across.

I get that it isn't the same for everyone. Bit to completely dismiss ehat I was saying because it doesn't apply to everyone wasn't fair either. Some people don't know the border is actually open. Some people don't consider the tests a hoop. I've done the 2 week quarantine 3 times and had 4 different tests. Those things aren't hoops for me. Everyone is different, and people saying the border is closed can be misleading.

 

[Donald - my hero]

just a quick reminder to keep this thread on topic so that it doesn't get shut down like others have recently. I believe that this thread is about when the land border will be fully open for anyone to simply drive either direction. Talking about how the border isn't "Technically" closed due to being able to fly is what got at least 2 threads locked.

I get it, everyone's tired and tempers are short. However once people start feeling unheard, discussions tend to become heated and go off topic.

in my mind this thread was started as a place to talk about when the land border will be fully open and what that will look like. Not open to return as it has always been but open BOTH directions for anyone to use whenever they want to use it.


ETA i remember years ago crossing at Fort Erie with our youngest after we'd dropped her brother off at summer camp. We were heading to sesame place with a newly potty trained 3 year old (food allergies made that he'll!). About 5 minutes past the point of no return traffic stopped and we were in the same spot for close to 5 hours due to an accident between 2 transport trucks and a small car. several trips to the ditch later we finally made it to the customs booth, one look at my face and the screaming kid in the backseat had the guard waving us thru in under a minute.
I can't imagine how long those lines will be once they open up!!!! Maybe a bag of Depends will be packed sorry, my mind goes to weird places!!

 

[NewYKRunner]

ETA i remember years ago crossing at Fort Erie with our youngest after we'd dropped her brother off at summer camp. We were heading to sesame place with a newly potty trained 3 year old (food allergies made that he'll!). About 5 minutes past the point of no return traffic stopped and we were in the same spot for close to 5 hours due to an accident between 2 transport trucks and a small car. several trips to the ditch later we finally made it to the customs booth, one look at my face and the screaming kid in the backseat had the guard waving us thru in under a minute.
I can't imagine how long those lines will be once they open up!!!! Maybe a bag of Depends will be packed sorry, my mind goes to weird places!!

We've definitely experienced similar travelling as a young family. Coming back from Orlando last January, we got into Calgary at about 2 am thanks to a very long delay. As usual, customs questioned our kids (5 and 9 at the time). Our kids travel great, even at 2 am, but our 5 year old could only confirm we were her parents. She could not remember when her birthday was, or what time of year it occurs. Customs simply waved us through .
We live in a fairly remote area and we've wondered if gas stations in our area will be low on fuel with everyone bolting out for a road trip as soon as borders open up.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

just a quick reminder to keep this thread on topic so that it doesn't get shut down like others have recently. I believe that this thread is about when the land border will be fully open for anyone to simply drive either direction. Talking about how the border isn't "Technically" closed due to being able to fly is what got at least 2 threads locked.

I get it, everyone's tired and tempers are short. However once people start feeling unheard, discussions tend to become heated and go off topic.

in my mind this thread was started as a place to talk about when the land border will be fully open and what that will look like. Not open to return as it has always been but open BOTH directions for anyone to use whenever they want to use it.


ETA i remember years ago crossing at Fort Erie with our youngest after we'd dropped her brother off at summer camp. We were heading to sesame place with a newly potty trained 3 year old (food allergies made that he'll!). About 5 minutes past the point of no return traffic stopped and we were in the same spot for close to 5 hours due to an accident between 2 transport trucks and a small car. several trips to the ditch later we finally made it to the customs booth, one look at my face and the screaming kid in the backseat had the guard waving us thru in under a minute.
I can't imagine how long those lines will be once they open up!!!! Maybe a bag of Depends will be packed sorry, my mind goes to weird places!!

I think the lines will be insane... someone said on one of these threads (maybe this one) that we’ll have to cross at 3 AM lol. if we are driving to Disney we typically will cross early about 7 AM but hey I’ll do whatever. Just crossing for a day shopping trip though... especially on the weekend... shall be fun. Haha

 

[ottawamom]

I've got to admit I do have a trip to Joann fabrics planned when the borders open again. The prices of fabrics in Ottawa fabric stores is just insane. If I keep it uner $50 the guards will let me slide through on a day trip.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I've got to admit I do have a trip to Joann fabrics planned when the borders open again. The prices of fabrics in Ottawa fabric stores is just insane. If I keep it uner $50 the guards will let me slide through on a day trip.

you need to make a trip to a lens mill, seriously, you'd get lost in the fabric section for hours!

ETA, noticed you're commenting on prices, give me an idea of the type you're looking for and I'll give you some idea of pricing.

 

[ottawamom]

I'm going to google lens mill and see how far it is to the nearest one. Not sure I can wait until the border opens.

 

[juniorbugman]

I'm going to google lens mill and see how far it is to the nearest one. Not sure I can wait until the border opens.

I ordered online from Lens Mill and I know when the stores were closed that you could call the store and they would tour the store and show you what they had.

 

[Donald - my hero]

I'm going to google lens mill and see how far it is to the nearest one. Not sure I can wait until the border opens.

I ordered online from Lens Mill and I know when the stores were closed that you could call the store and they would tour the store and show you what they had.

closest store to you would probably be Barrie BUT as mentioned you can have your order shipped. Now they even have a Facebook Messenger account for each store and they will have someone wander around the store with you while doing a video chat.

Current flyer shows that from Thursday to Saturday every single piece of fabric that has even a speck of green is another 20% off
Here's the current flyer
Len's Mill Flyer

 

[tinkerone]

We've definitely experienced similar travelling as a young family. Coming back from Orlando last January, we got into Calgary at about 2 am thanks to a very long delay. As usual, customs questioned our kids (5 and 9 at the time). Our kids travel great, even at 2 am, but our 5 year old could only confirm we were her parents. She could not remember when her birthday was, or what time of year it occurs. Customs simply waved us through .
We live in a fairly remote area and we've wondered if gas stations in our area will be low on fuel with everyone bolting out for a road trip as soon as borders open up.

just a quick reminder to keep this thread on topic so that it doesn't get shut down like others have recently. I believe that this thread is about when the land border will be fully open for anyone to simply drive either direction. Talking about how the border isn't "Technically" closed due to being able to fly is what got at least 2 threads locked.

I get it, everyone's tired and tempers are short. However once people start feeling unheard, discussions tend to become heated and go off topic.

in my mind this thread was started as a place to talk about when the land border will be fully open and what that will look like. Not open to return as it has always been but open BOTH directions for anyone to use whenever they want to use it.


ETA i remember years ago crossing at Fort Erie with our youngest after we'd dropped her brother off at summer camp. We were heading to sesame place with a newly potty trained 3 year old (food allergies made that he'll!). About 5 minutes past the point of no return traffic stopped and we were in the same spot for close to 5 hours due to an accident between 2 transport trucks and a small car. several trips to the ditch later we finally made it to the customs booth, one look at my face and the screaming kid in the backseat had the guard waving us thru in under a minute.
I can't imagine how long those lines will be once they open up!!!! Maybe a bag of Depends will be packed sorry, my mind goes to weird places!!

I can give you a good border crossing with a child one. When our oldest was 5 we decided that we would take a drive to WDW and have a bit of a fall vacation. He was a really good traveler so we had not worries with a 26 hour drive. When we got to the border the border security agent questioned us and asked if we would be leaving anything behind. I said 'yes', pointed to the back seat and said 'him'. Hubby laughed, I laughed, the agent said 'pull over'. That's when I learned they didn't have a sense of humor, lol.
And before anyone says they were only doing their job, I know. It just fell out of my mouth though, lesson learned.

 

[NewYKRunner]

Hubby laughed, I laughed, the agent said 'pull over'. That's when I learned they didn't have a sense of humor, lol.
And before anyone says they were only doing their job, I know. It just fell out of my mouth though, lesson learned.

Haha they do not mess around when it comes to children! I have an old boss that warned me about that. He was divorced and even with all paperwork they were always thoroughly questioned when travelling internationally (without his ex/their biological mom).

 

[TammyLynn33]

As a CDN mom whose kids were taken across the border and not returned as per custody agreement . Nothing makes me happier to hear this. Once they get across all those papers mean nothing, no one will enforce anything unless they believe there’s imminent danger.

 

[TammyLynn33]

So on CNN last night they were talking about Ontario’s new spike in cases. This am they are discussing Europe’s rise and lack of vaccine. They are noticing . Which scares me it will be a wait..

 

[mshanson3121]

So on CNN last night they were talking about Ontario’s new spike in cases. This am they are discussing Europe’s rise and lack of vaccine. They are noticing . Which scares me it will be a wait..

I noticed that our cases are starting to rise again, while the US' are still declining. I wonder, is it just the "spring break spike" for us?

 

[hdrolfe]

Ontario is talking a 3rd wave. The US is saying once their people are immunized (May-ish) they'll consider where to send their vaccines and of course some of them are pushing for it to be to Canada & Mexico so the borders can be reopened. I guess we'll see?

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Haha they do not mess around when it comes to children! I have an old boss that warned me about that. He was divorced and even with all paperwork they were always thoroughly questioned when travelling internationally (without his ex/their biological mom).

I traveled internationally in 2018 with just my son almost 9 at the time, my husband was not able to come on a cruise with us, and I ended up going my by myself. My friend who is divorced told me even though my husband and I are together to make sure I bring a letter from him saying as our son’s dad he is aware we are leaving the country. I had all this stuff in a folder with me but officer at the US/Canada border asked zero questions about our son. Not a single one. It was surprising to me because I don’t have the same last name as my kids, I kept my maiden name for work/licensing purposes. I don’t know at which point they question more, I’m sure they usually do. I never had to show a single document though and my son was not questioned. I know I’m the kid’s mom and my DH was aware but to be honest I was a bit... I don’t know, not impressed?
edited to add: I wasn’t asked for anything coming back to Canada either.
I also have a funny story when he was younger maybe 2.5 years old, we were crossing at the border to go shopping and when the border officer asked to roll down the back window - my kid loudly exclaimed “I have to go poop”! the officer actually burst out laughing

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

So on CNN last night they were talking about Ontario’s new spike in cases. This am they are discussing Europe’s rise and lack of vaccine. They are noticing . Which scares me it will be a wait..

Yes, I read that a while ago - while USA’s cases are now declining we are rising due to lack of vaccine progress (in comparison)
I do believe it will be Fall when Canada is vaccinated, same with the US and cases are not rising on either side anymore. Sigh... I was hoping for summer but deep inside even being the optimist I am, I don’t see it.

 

[hdrolfe]

I always take the long form birth certificate when we travel since there is no dad here (used a donor). I've been asked for it twice in 7 or 8 trips? Always when returning to the country. Never when I leave. It's weird? But whatever, I always have it. It's a big topic in some of the groups I'm in for single moms by choice and always varied answers on how often people get asked for proof.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Ontario is talking a 3rd wave. The US is saying once their people are immunized (May-ish) they'll consider where to send their vaccines and of course some of them are pushing for it to be to Canada & Mexico so the borders can be reopened. I guess we'll see?

Hmm I wonder if they will send some out way?

 

[wdwmom3]

As a CDN mom whose kids were taken across the border and not returned as per custody agreement . Nothing makes me happier to hear this. Once they get across all those papers mean nothing, no one will enforce anything unless they believe there’s imminent danger.

Unfortunately they don’t always ask questions. I travel all the time just me and my kids. My kids are from my previous marriage. I always carried the proper letters and now our court order that specifically gives me the right to travel without dad’s permission (he’s never had an issue with me taking the kids places). I’ve only been asked for the information once.

As a mom that bugs me. They should be taking things like that more seriously to avoid issues like the one you had. Sorry you had to deal with that.

And a note to other parents. A lot of people don’t know this, but even if there are no custody issues for example you and the other parent are happily married, if you cross the border with your kids and not the other parent you should have a letter that is notarized.