Making Our Lists
~Wednesday, March 2, 2022~
Day 626
What’s a better way to start the day than with a Blue Boy run? At least we have the convenience of a dump station at our campground which won’t last long since our upcoming 2-week stay in Sedona will have no water, electricity or sewer. In fact, the last time we were in Sedona dry camping, we would drive to the Cottonwood Fairgrounds to get water and dump for a steep fee of $20, whether you needed both or not. With our current stay at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, only 5 minutes from those fairgrounds, we’ve learned that non-guests are allowed to use the same services for $15. Nice to have options. Speaking of high-priced dump fees, we’ll be looking at even higher costs in Canada and Alaska. There goes the budget people. Hopefully the higher costs of food, gas and excursions won’t negate the money we’re saving by boondocking.
We’ve been to Canada (B.C. and Alberta) several times before via car and plane. Oh yes, I recall that lovely speeding ticket I got years ago while driving from BC to Alberta. But this will be a whole new experience with towing an RV. And since RV’s and the trucks that pull them carry a lot of goods, we’re learning a whole new set of rules about crossing the Canadian border. We’ll really have to be careful what we have in the fridge and the pantry before our arrival. Here’s what we’ve learned so far about entry into Canada:
Proof of vaccination (create an ArriveCAN account and download app to phone where you can upload a photo of your proof of vaccination)
Proof of negative test result (at least of this writing)
Passport (obviously)
Best to enter Canada with a minimum amount of perishables
No fruit/veges or animal products
Allowed up to 12 oz. beer, 40 oz. of liquor, 1.5 liters of wine (is this because they want to keep you in line from partying too much or because they want you to stock up in Canada, or both?
Duties and taxes can be imposed (7% or greater for $1,000 over exemption). The taxes and duties are calculated in the currency of the country you are entering. Exemptions are per person, not per vehicle. Of course much of the outcome depends on the border agent you get that day 😉
Dog food must be in the original packaging and unopened unless it’s produced in Canada which ours is. How lucky is that?
Canada and Alaska are very dog friendly. Just make sure you have all the proper records, including proof of rabies
No firewood (we tend to haul that around sometimes so will have to watch that one)
Camping gear must be cleaned and free of dirt or debris
Good idea to stock up on Canadian coins otherwise known as the loonie and the toonie for laundry (the loonie is $1.00 coin and the toonie is a $2.00 coin)
Many campgrounds do not take credit cards so have Canadian currency handy
Watch those speed limits. If you’re caught going 25 mph over the speed limit in Canada (considered excessive), they can impound your car for 7 days, again, depending on how good of a mood your officer is in that day.
I’m sure we’ll learn so much more as our fact-finding continues. If you guys know of any other border crossing tips, please let us know.
Now that we know our trip is lasting at least until Spring of 2023, the Footprints Map is looking a little insane. In fact, you can barely read the thing. After looking at it from an outsider’s point of view, it was just too busy, especially after all the loopty loops we made in 2020-2021. So we decided to split it into 2 maps; YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2. You can check it out from our homepage under “Our Footprints Route” or from this link: https://www.footprintsonwheels.com/our-footprint-chart.