A Drive To The Other Side

26 May 2008By Zhu 24 Comments

How can you tell I’m still European? Because I get excited when I go to the USA!

On Sunday afternoon, we decided to take a drive to the USA. Even though the border is only an hour drive from Ottawa, I rarely cross it — last time was almost exactly a year ago, when my best friends in Ottawa took me along as they were getting their landed immigrant status in Canada. We had spent a nice day in Alexandria Bay.

The day was perfect. Warm but not stuffy, sunny but with magical clouds which followed us all the way there. I loved the drive. The freeway was empty (probably because of Memorial Day) and we felt alone in the universe. Even the US Border Officer was friendly and… joked around with us. No kidding. See, it wasn’t a usual day.

The Bridge to the USA, from the Canadian side (Prescott, ON).

The nicest drive we had in a while: a perfect American road trip.

Our first stop in Ogdensburg, NY. A quiet little town with a beautiful view on the St Lawrence seaway.

Alexandria Bay, NY. A small town with a beautiful marina (and a bunch of people listening to ACDC, drinking beer in their moored boats — a memorial day tradition, anyone?), a typical main street and view on the Thousand Islands.

24 Comments »

Mme. Meow said:

It’s interesting that you admit that. Most people seem to think it’s terribly fashionable to hate the US openly.

Mme. Meows last great read…Also, My Hair is Getting a Little Frizzy

# 3 June 2008 at 6:10 am

Celine said:

I loved your opening sentences.

This post reminded me of my 2 trips from Toronto to the Niagara at the US Border.

Celines last great read…Fifty-Five Fiction

# 1 June 2008 at 8:52 am

Zhu (author) said:

@Speedcat – Sorry about the pictures… yeah, must be the computer cause they display fine here. You can always have a look at my Flickr widget!

@Colleen – It was a nice day. Getting out of the city even for a little while is so relaxing.

@Seraphine – I guess that’s why the USA is a free country. You can drive a boat AND drink. Wow.

@shionge – Same when I lived in France! Canada is such a big place that I’m happy to visit the country though.

@RennyBA – I didn’t know you had a bridge to mainland Europe — I guess I never thought of it! Take some pictures one day for me, please!

@Froggywoogie – Well, the USA are actually quite cheap now. I know, the flight isn’t…

@Max Coutinho – Alexandria Bay is famous in North America for being the gateway to the Thousands Islands, a bunch of small and not-so-small island in the seaway. I didn’t know it before either!

@Deadpoolite – You should always listen to ( and follow) your girlfriend. Basic rule. Besides, if she is a traveler, she must be an awesome girl, lucky you!

@Graham – Thank you Graham! yep, I keep on taking pictures… it’s a good excuse for a trip anyway!

@Aiglee – Oh yeah, you have to do it! Besides, you’re so close in Toronto, it’s worthwhile just to go shop there! Do you need a visa to go in the USA?

# 28 May 2008 at 10:15 pm