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Our Southern Neighbours

The weekend before Memorial Day (in the U.S.) was Victoria Day, here in Canada. We decided to cross the border for a simple day trip without the hassle of a 10+ hour drive to one of the big U.S. cities.

The closest U.S. border is at Prescott, Ontario, a mere 45 minutes’ drive from Ottawa. Armed with cold drinks and cookies (Tim Hortons, obviously), we hit the road. Crossing the border is still a cool experience for me, the French girl, and I admit I get a kick out of using my Canadian passport. This is only the second time I go to the U.S. as a Canadian citizen—the first time was last winter, in Niagara Falls. The process is so much more straightforward compared to crossing with a French passport! Even as a Canadian permanent resident, I used to have to pay and have my picture and fingerprints taken. These days, all I have to do is wave my navy blue passport and say “I’m Canadian, eh.” Love it.

We first stopped in Ogdensburg, along the St Lawrence Seaway. The town is pretty sleepy but it was relaxing. A bunch of kids were fishing with their parents along the river and for a second, I wondered if the “ADD children who watch too much TV and are obsessed with violent videogames” was just a myth. Sure, the nearby busy hot dog cart was busy but kids were also getting plenty of outdoor activity in the skate park.

Alexandria Bay, an hour drive from Ogdensburg, hadn’t changed much, even though it seemed more sedate than usual. Recession and bad economy, maybe? Nonetheless, it’s still pretty and we had a great seafood meal for $20.00—can’t beat that.

Bridge to the U.S.A
I’ll Give You That: Cool Flag Guys!
Ogdensburg, N.Y State
A. Bay U.S Immigration Inspection Station
On the Water…
Time for Ice Cream, Kids?
Alexandria Bay, Main Street
Baseball Jokes
Van’s Motor Marine
One Way U.S.A
Gas Station and Motor Repair
Water Balloon
Good Old Fast Food
A. Bay Marina
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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