I went North through Grand Isle, and decided that I would loop through Canada, and come back down on the East side of Lake Champlain. I checked my map, and decided that I would probably be in Canada for 20 minutes. Cool.
I kinda like crossing the border; I somewhat enjoy being interrogated, and afterwards making fun of their obnoxious questions. I knew that my trip seemed relatively suspicious, but I had nothing to hide, so I went on....
I entered Canada through this little border crossing in the middle of nowhere. I stopped at the booth, and waited for someone to appear.
This guy approached, and I handed him my passport. Standard, where are you going, where are you from questions. I told him I was just crossing through Canada, and didn't expect to be there for more than an hour. Instant suspicion.
Here are some of his questions:
"Why are you going to Canada?"
"Have you ever been to Canada before?"
"If you've been there before, why are you going today?"
"Why does your car have New York plates?"
"What are you majoring in?"
"You aren't meeting anyone in Canada?"
"Is the car empty?"
"Pull forward so I can have a look"
All this time, he's paging through my passport. I noticed that he did not run it through a computer. Interesting.
So, he looks through the car. Right. Nothing. Okay, bye.
Since it's usually easier to get into Canada than back out, I know I'm probably in for an interesting conversation on the US side.
Just over 20 minutes later, I'm waiting to cross back over into the US at a different crossing. There are actually cars lined up at this one, even though it's just as small. The guy in front of me was held up for at least twenty minutes. They even had him get out of the car. Hmmmmmm.
An eternity later, it's my turn. There are two officers; an older one and a younger one. I give them my passport.
"Where are you coming from?" At this point, I realize that I have no idea where I actually was...
"Uhh, well, I was just looping through Canada, I came up through Vermont, and I'm going back down"
The standard where from/where going questions which are always a trap. I usually answer that I live Burlington, because, well I do.
"You do realize that your car has New York plates?"What a stupid question. Really? I had no idea!! Did I mention that I was a college student??
Throughout both questionings, I maintained that I
- Liked to go for drives on the weekend
- Most of my friends were home for Easter
- I like exploring
- I live and attend school in Burlington, but I'm from NYC
Upon hearing that I was just going for a drive:
"You have got to be kidding me, gas is $4.13!"Yeah, I know, but I like driving.
"You couldn't find anyone to go with you?"
Well, the ones that didn't go home went to Boston for a gaming convention.
"Oh yeah, I heard about that"
"Where did you cross into Canada?" (I honestly had no idea, because I wasn't paying attention)
After attempting to describe where I had crossed: "Look, I'm trying to help you out here"
I have no idea what he was trying to get at. Were they accusing me of something? Am I in trouble? No. So, shush.
"Can I see the registration?"
"You keep your registration in your wallet instead of your glove compartment?"
Yeah, I do.
"Are the doors unlocked?"
They are now.
So, into the car they went. Pulling up the seats, revealing hiding spots that I didn't even know existed.
Meanwhile, the other guy ran my passport and clearly has some questions.
"When's the last time you went to Canada?"
"Who were you with?"
"Where did you go?"
"What about the time before that?"
and the same questions again.
This totally confirmed my hunch that me, the car I travel in, and the people I travel with across the border will forever be linked in their computers.
Now they're standing over the engine, making gestures to each other, as if they want to look under it. I'm still sitting in the car, by the way.
And eventually, ten minutes later, they seem satisfied.
Cool.
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