Challenges

 August 29, 2022

Massena International CG site 129

Massena, NY

It is becoming evident that this leg of our journey is full of challenges.  One of the main influences for camping here so close to the Canadian border was to obtain some of Robin Hood's Multigrain Bread Flour.  It makes wonderful bread!! 

We are close the the bridge that will take you into Cornwall, Ontario

where there is a Walmart....and Walmart is where we happened to locate the multigrain bread flour in 2018 and 2019 in Canada.  You may be asking yourself why not just purchase the flour at a Walmart in the lower 48. We tried.  Momma even had a conversation with Robin Hood's customer service and they informed her that they do no sell nor will they ship that multigrain bread flour over the border.  

Currently, to cross into Canada, you must download the ArriveCan Ap, register your proof of citizenship and Covid status, including dates for immunization and a picture of all these items.  Once all the registration is complete, you can complete a form to request permission to cross the border after stating your reasons as well as where and the means that you will use to cross the border.  Needless to say, seeing as it is a generic/good for all situations form, it is quite confusing.  "Where are you staying?"  No where..... but there is no place to indicate just a quick shopping trip.  

Well, Momma and Dad headed out this morning to attempt to secure some flour.  The first hurdle was a breeze, as the bridge fee sign listed the amount of Canadian money as $3.75 and American currency as $3.00.  The next stop was a tad more challenging

but with assistance from the border crossing employees, we were able to successfully complete the request to cross form and get our magic approval number . We were directed at the booth to park and go inside for assistance.   

Note: If we decide to cross again while in this area, we need to submit a new request and receive a different approval number.

The Walmart was easily located

and the next challenge was locating the baking aisle and the sought after flour.  WHAT???  All purpose, whole wheat, cake and pastry, unbleached, WHITE bread flour but NO multigrain bread flour??  Come on folks.  Do you know how challenging this has been?  Two additional grocery stores were checked out but all were left with empty hands.

At this point, it was time to be consoled with a Dairy Queen Blizzard before heading back across the border...flourless.

Yep, another $3 bridge toll and then on to the US Border Crossing Booth.  We had used our driver's licenses with the star on them as proof of residency on the Canadian side so we handed them over on the American side.  The crossing guard asked if we had our Passports.  The answer was.....YES....and we handed him those as well.  Now the question that is unaswered is: What would have happened if we hadn't brought  passports?  Why would Canada accept the enhanced driver's license and US border patrol ask for our passports in addition to the enhanced driver's license?  It rather defeats the purpose of the hoop jumping to get the star on the driver's license.  What good is the star?

The next unsuccessful mission revolved around a restaurant that listed on their webpage that they would be open at 3:30 but upon arrival later, it was obvious that they were closed.

That just meant Momma and Dad could come back to the rig and spend more time with me...... without teasing me with aromas from a take out box.

I'm Chloe