Ep7 Canada Border Crossing Tips

This week we opt to drive through Canada on our way to Vermont and bypass $54 in tolls and congestion. We meet up with friends in Ottawa and share van tips.
More info about crossing the border with food: inspection.canada.ca/food-saf...
L Track Article: radvanadventures.com/2017/01/...
Luno Shoe Bag: hrb.gy/aavty
Links to items mentioned in our videos (and my camera gear) can be found on my Amazon Storefront. As a participant in the Amazon Associates Program we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you shop from this Amazon portal:
www.amazon.com/shop/fromshetome
Moonshade (affiliate link}: moonfab.com?sca_ref=2840305.8fOH1OGxFf
Some elements are from a subscription to Envato.
Music in this video is from a subscription with Epidemic Sound:
Thirty-Fourth Windows - Heath Cantu
National Anthem Canada - National Anthem Worx
Fragmentarium - Anders Schill Paulsen
The Little Things - Josef Bel Habib
Easy Now

[@architectsalem]

How to cross into Canada from the USA without showing a passport or any ID. The last time I went to Canada I was with a group of friends headed to a meeting in Vancouver. We had rented a bus, so when we got to the border there were hundreds of cars in line. We were waved through because we were a bus. At the checkpoint, the uniformed border official came to the bus door. One of us said, "We're a group of Rotarians headed to Vancouver for a 2-day meeting". "Oh, Rotarians," said the Canadian. "Don't you want to see our passports?". "Oh no. Have a good trip." He waved us through. So quick and pleasant.

[@FromShetoMe]

That’s weird.

[@Deanna52ish]

These are great storage ideas. Our Ford Transit build will be done in late September and so we are collecting storage ideas. Thank you very much.

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@kimp7160]

They do have rest stop signs but they just have a picture of a picnic table. You don't get too much warning-- just one warning sign and then the one pointing out the driveway -- but you learn what to look for after travelling Northern Ontario several times. The signs are a bit clearer in the western provinces but they don't always use the word "rest stop" either.

[@mattdynes809]

What a great video. Thx for playing our anthem! Enjoy your Timmies! ;-)

[@FromShetoMe]

Your Anthem gives me goosebumps. May we have it? 😅

[@mattdynes809]

@@FromShetoMe Lol.... me too! I think both the US and Canadian anthems rock! Love your videos. You give such great tips and advice on accessories. Thx for sharing!

[@SchnuffiJames]

Thank you for visiting Canada, hope you had fun. As a home sick Canadian living abroad thanks. Come back.

[@FromShetoMe]

We will! We love our attic neighbors!

[@davec9244]

thank you, glad you said check your passport mine is about to expire. Nice trip ALL stay safe

[@judyfeldman5066]

That was such a lovely visit you guys. Let’s do it again soon….ish

[@FromShetoMe]

Definitely. Lots of folks have commented on your tips.

[@jimmarshall1708]

FYI, in British Columbia they have signage for rest stops and usually how far to next one.

[@ljiljanamahmutagic6186]

This video will be in my house like a back ground for long time....that is how much I love it!!! So sweet,so country,so unreal...so beautiful ! Everybody enjoyed !!! Thank you so much Debbie and John!❤❤❤

[@FromShetoMe]

Wow, thanks!

[@tombicek4077]

Thanks as always for sharing your travels.

[@Pumpkin2844]

Suzy Q donuts ❤🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@timsmith7625]

Thanks for the video and too funny you have to drive through the border crossing because John wants to gab! 😂….Love the Rolof front screen/blackout and may see if I can measure and send them to Rolof for my GMC.

[@billwilliams5889]

Talk about a place for everything and everything in its place ! Exchanging ideas with similar RVers is so productive.

[@NelloCambelli]

Wow, Chatty John & I will get along - one prankster to another - note that he ties his shoes & boots according to military dress code. Visiting Rungu in Santa Ana July 7. Keep your modern Prairie Schooner with the wind.

[@TroySwezey]

That screen by Rolef at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="615">10:15</a> sure is nice. Beats the shower curtain we have hanging there.

[@billorr6041]

How funny. You’re already through Canada… and we’re still in NYS. Been a Great Week staying at Watkin’s Glen, visiting family, Corning Glass Museum, site of Woodstock, and yesterday Star Trek Set tour. Smoky here. Hopefully not for you. Safe travels

[@FromShetoMe]

I love glass. Will have to check out that museum next time.

[@billorr6041]

@@FromShetoMe Do it. World Class. We did over two days until saturated

[@slf994]

very cool

[@angpb6176]

You have your border crossings & roles dialed in. Our choices are, TMI chat (me) or wrong answers (him). Glad you found most of your 🇨🇦 goods & a PW friends catch-up. That’s a well organized van! Thanks always for your wonderful videos.

[@LuckyLarry]

We have been experiencing extremely hazy days here in northeast georgia. We have had some rain the past couple of days with strong wind and it is now a bit clearer. Burning ,stinging eyes! The cause has been the fires from CANADA! Those poor folks up there having to endure those conditions.

[@FromShetoMe]

Some are saying it will last until the first snowfall. 🥴

[@nationalparksprincess3216]

Wonderful episode 😊

[@MWILSON7]

Thanks for the tip on the stove windscreen!

[@michaelkurz9067]

Wow long blonde hair,looking GREAT:)

[@steves524]

Great episode , liked some of the ideas used in their RV. Nice people , always makes for a good trip…🚐

[@gypsyroveradventures6133]

Howdy!! I discovered your channel about a week ago and have been “catching up”…binge watching your wonderful videos! You have an excellent channel and am enjoying it immensely! I was raised in Vancouver BC…born in Adelaide, Australia. I spent my childhood in the back of a 1966 Ford Country Squire traveling the USA with my family, and am about to set off as a full timer now in my Class C RV…just me and my two little sidekicks, Zoey and Shiloh!❤️🐾❤️🐾…one of the things that drew me to your channel was your choice of background music…just sooo good! Thank you for the time and effort you put into your channel. Hope to see you on the road some day, Tracy

[@FromShetoMe]

Thank you so much and welcome to our community. Don’t go too far back in the videos; cringe worthy for sure. 😅

[@gypsyroveradventures6133]

@@FromShetoMe not cringeworthy at all😉👍🇨🇦❤️🇺🇸

[@gypsyroveradventures6133]

FYI….if it was “cringe worthy” I wouldn’t still be fixated…I was going to say “watching” but fixated is more specific, descriptive,,and real💕 P.s. I LOVE John’s caustic and sardonic humour💕💕

[@camperab]

Thank you for your interesting video. I am always surprised how many different camping/camper gadgets/tools there are on the North American market. I have tried to find some here in Europe, but in vain. Well, there is too much camping stuff in my garage anyway.

[@FromShetoMe]

You’ll have to come visit and load up on stuff you’re probably better off without. 😅

[@camperab]

@@FromShetoMe 🤣🤣🤣

[@brianmcallister114]

Thank you for this video. I found it to be extremely well organized and edited. My only suggestion (and this is meant to be comment rather than a criticism) is that perhaps you should decide on what the main thrust of the video is intended to be: advice and suggestions on accessories and add-ons available for your vehicle or is it intended to be a mini-documentary on your trip through Canada? A lot of time on this video is dedicated to things that would not necessarily be of interest to non-RV owners but who clicked on your site for other reasons. Whatever, as a Canadian I am always eager to hear what visitors from outside our borders think about our beautiful Country.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, it’s just a vlog that is largely about van travel but also hiking and biking. Sometimes I do videos where I have a subject but travel videos don’t lend themselves to that.

[@northlander4370]

I am Canadian and travel the Trans Canada highway frequently and i agree , signage for rest stops and turnoffs would be appreciated ! , Ontario,s 400 series highways provide proper signage .

[@FromShetoMe]

I was surprised to learn that each province is responsible for signage. Some areas are much better.

[@northlander4370]

@FromShetoMe provincial highways have their own signage , federal highways are consistent country wide.

[@educateddogcenter]

We had a family of seven in a station wagon too-every summer driving to Northern Wisconsin. Being the youngest, I always got stuffed in the far back lying on top of the sleeping bags. Luckily (?) my father drove under 50 mph the whole way so I didn’t often go flying through the vehicle 🤪.

[@FromShetoMe]

We had a rear seat and I loved sitting back there away from my brothers.

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Hey Debbie - I haven’t had time to watch this yet, but I just met a couple at a Harvest Hosts stop in Kentucky who met you. He said you stayed a night in their parking lot in Silverthorne, CO! David & Tanya - fun!

[@FromShetoMe]

How funny. Small world. Thought about them when we drove through Colorado last month.

[@always.wondering.wandering]

I chat with someone who was taking her van across into Canada for the first time and she didn't check ahead to see what's legal to bring across. Well, she had personal pepper spray and so then she got pulled over and they did a van search. Love all those new gadgets you showed us, especially the clothes line. I saw you commented on td adventures. Poor Thavonne and David; the fan quits working, the fridge falls out of the wall and then the recall for the genni. Hope your continued travels are going well and may you have a nice 4th of July wherever you may be. I'm in Colo. Take care

[@FromShetoMe]

They sure have had their share of issues, but through it all David is as cool as a cucumber.

[@walterdibartolomeo3157]

Thanks again for sharing. Love your adventures. We love Liberté yogurt as well (but have the advantage of living in Montreal so that we can get it more frequently 😂). For info, when we travel now we no longer get SIM cards but use the eSIM capability of our phones. The cost is paltry compared to the Canadian travel plans. We have used in Europe, Asia and Africa without issue. Hope John’s hips are doing well. Stay safe!

[@FromShetoMe]

John’s doing well…for a geezer.

[@JHA6100]

Amazing video episode Debbie! I love all of the featured gear introduced by your friends in Ottawa; so many products that I have not seen previously. Very happy to see the Sault Ste. Marie crossing as we will go thru there next month as we circle Lake Superior. Well, we hope to venture that way but it really depends on the devastating forest fires plaguing Canada now, so I am a bit,on the fence right now about the trip as I really don’t want to experience the smoke if not necessary. Curious, did you obtain Canadian dollars before crossing or did you go to an ATM in Canada to obtain them? Thanks, as always.

[@FromShetoMe]

We just used our credit card. John bought a burger at a stand and used US dollars. But for 2 days, credit card was way to go.

[@davidthomson5183]

We have an OnTour, the Rolef blackout screen is intriguing. But, since we already have the front window sun shades, perhaps it is redundant. Enjoy your videos!

[@FromShetoMe]

We never carried those screens because they take up so much space.

[@davidthomson5183]

We carry them in the long pouch they came in and store them vertically behind driver seat right next to the wall. We did replace the original front screen unit from PW with a super light model, much easier to deploy.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@davidthomson5183 Unfortunately, the Ascent has no room behind driver’s seat.

[@TroySwezey]

Called the friendly Canadian border guard at a checkpoint between Washington and Canada in June 2023 and he told me that no raw or live chickens or other poultry is allowed into Canada at the moment. <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="125">2:05</a>

[@FromShetoMe]

I don’t think any meat is allowed.

[@brunnie]

Thanks for the border tips. When grocery shopping, do you take your own bags? Lots of interesting storage ideas, thanks. Until next time... Travel safe.

[@FromShetoMe]

Yes, I have 2 small bags that roll up and fit in my purse. Very handy.

[@brunnie]

@@FromShetoMe .. Another tip to pass along as many people do not know that some cities and states have banned plastic bags or charge for them. People coming to Colorado are surprised that bags cost 10 cents.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@brunnie For sure. Our bag fee is also 10 cents. Bags can stack up fast in the van; reusable bags come in handy for lots of things and it is such an easy thing.

[@dporper6390]

Enjoyed your video! We're planning a trip to California in the fall to a family event. Have you circled a date for the "From She to Me meetup" in Truckee ? We would love to attend!

[@FromShetoMe]

Not yet but we will be scouting out the campgrounds in a few weeks. Will likely be third or fourth week in September.

[@dporper6390]

Hi Debbie and John, We're heading to California in our Pleasure-way from our Georgia home later this week and we would love to meet you guys somewhere around October 24th or 25th if you're going to be in the SoCal area? We're BIG fans! You inspired us and taught us so much about class B rv's. Ice Cream will be on us! You had mentioned the possibility of a meet up but I haven't heard any definites... David & Luanne Porper

[@FromShetoMe]

@@dporper6390 Email me: [e-mail]

[@billsherer7629]

Would love some info on the cabinet nets and mounting hardware. I'm looking for some different solutions like this for our Ontour 2.2, if you know someone with a channel. Love your content guys!

[@FromShetoMe]

I’ll see if Judy and Gord can share their link.

[@FromShetoMe]

They bought it from organizedobie.com

[@billsherer7629]

@@FromShetoMe as always, you’re the best!

[@63Harpo]

I’ve been reading that now Canadian border agents are now enforcing the no knife rule…. That includes pocket knives or the typical camp knives many of us have in our vans…. Many have mentioned their knives being confiscated. Any info on that?

[@FromShetoMe]

Never heard of that. Maybe it’s just switch blade type knives.

[@debbie8465]

George with Humble Roads mentioned that he is now working on your van build. I have a few questions. Did you find the van, or did George? I was wondering. Would it be better to get a dually. It looks like you have a van with single back wheels. I know you have completed many modifications on your Pleasure Way van. I am interested in knowing about the process of finding van insurance on a custom build. I have watched many van build KZbin segments that mention a difficulty, but do not mention specifics. If possible, can you tell specifics for all of us that want to build out a van in the future. Thanks

[@FromShetoMe]

George ended up finding the vehicle for us because Ford could not deliver. It isn't exactly what we wanted but it is close and we can add whatever it is missing. We didn't go with a dually because we want to travel lighter, we can put wider/taller tires on it, it will be easier to air up and down, we will be doing a lift so it will be simpler. Those are most of the reasons. Progressive told us that they insure to the manufacturer's spec and then you update them as you put product into it. Or you can wait until it is all done and then provide the documentation. We will update along the way. We had a more difficult time getting the vehicle registered. California and most states want to see the vehicle, even if it is new. So we registered it in South Dakota. We will re-register when it returns to California.

[@billwilliams5889]

This is weird …. As you guys are headed east on the Trans-Canada Highway, fellow RV KZbinrs Jimmie & Natalie have been heading west and are in Banff right now.

[@FromShetoMe]

It would have been great to run into them.

[@billwilliams5889]

“From She to Me” and “Jimmy & Natalie” are examples of full-time RVers at opposite ends of the experience, and yet I suspect that there are many core passions , values, and beliefs that you both share.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@billwilliams5889 You’re probably right.

[@arman6119]

I believe the need for a passport is at US request...Cdn agents often don't require.....Canada very big on US DUI's.....US still big on drugs despite how much available in US and often joked abt on late night TV....imo

[@FromShetoMe]

Beginning in 2009 Canada began requiring passports of US citizens.

[@senforex]

Another tip us and canadian custom agent do not like video filming so off the camera 😀

[@FromShetoMe]

They may not like it but most people have dash cams these days and they run constantly.