Crossing The Border
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
Canada
April 10, 2016 8:14pm CST
We leased a new Dodge Caravan in November/December. It sat in the driveway until we went south.
I had never driven it and while in Florida when I went to meet up with @BelleStar for lunch my husband had me drive it to make sure I knew what I needed to know about the car.
Since we got home I've only driven it once to the YMCA because hubby had to be somewhere else with my car.
My best girlfriend and I were going across the border yesterday. I had to stop at my Bank in New York and we were heading to a favorite Antique Store for a Spring Fling, an art and craft show on her lawn.
I picked my friend up and we got on the QEW (our major highway) when I realized I had no idea how to turn the heat on, so my friend played with the buttons until we got too warm and then she fiddled with them again to slow down the heat...
While driving I figured out where the cruise control was and we chatted until we got to the border. We had our passports handy and there was no wait so I drove right up to the Border Guard...
AND I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO OPEN THE WINDOW...
I fiddled with a few buttons and finally figured out the button on the arm rest opened the window but I had to pull it instead of pushing it..... by now we were laughing so hard tears were running down our faces...
The Border guard was watching this event and was laughing too. The minute I got the window open I apologized with a "it's a new car", and he said he figured that out...
I handed him our passports, he asked the usual questions and sent us on our way.
That was just the first event of a very eventful day. Its one I won't forget soon...
I'll finish the story tomorrow.. Have a good night...
I fiddled with a few buttons and finally figured out the button on the arm rest opened the window but I had to pull it instead of pushing it..... by now we were laughing so hard tears were running down our faces...
The Border guard was watching this event and was laughing too. The minute I got the window open I apologized with a "it's a new car", and he said he figured that out...
I handed him our passports, he asked the usual questions and sent us on our way.
That was just the first event of a very eventful day. Its one I won't forget soon...
I'll finish the story tomorrow.. Have a good night...13 people like this
13 responses
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
Its called a van, (the brand name was Caravan) it has the option to have a third row of seats or you can leave it empty for space. The back door opens "up" so the door is over my head when its open. It comes in handy when its raining and you have groceries in the back... Its not a camper... And yes we did have a good laugh because its new and I should have had a lesson before I drove it...
1 person likes this
@jaboUK (64346)
• United Kingdom
11 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate So it doesn't have sleeping accommodation? A caravan here has living and sleeping room and has no engine, so it is either towed along behind a car, or it's static on a caravan site.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
@jaboUK no sleeping in this, its just a car but it can hold up to 7 or 8 people or if the seats are out of the back (which they are stored in the garage), there is a big place to put thing in that need to be moved. It's great for camping - only the front seats are left in and the whold back holds firewood, and all out tents etc.... Here's a photo I took for you. It was covered in snow when we got up but its melted, thankfully...
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
I'm sure he did, at least I finally got the window open I didn't have to open the door (which they really don't like you to do....)
1 person likes this
@DWDavis (25797)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate Back in the good old days (1984) several of my Army buddies and I rented a station wagon and drove up to Vancouver, BC from Tacoma, WA. There were 9 of us in the car. The Canadian border guard stopped us, asked the usual questions, and then directed us to pull into the parking lot and report to the officer in charge of the crossing point. He acted so serious we thought we were in big trouble.
The officer in charge looked very sternly at us as we lined up in front of his desk, at attention, and then told us that he was going to have our car searched to make sure we were not invading Canada. About that time he could no longer keep a straight face, came around his desk, shook all our hands, and filled us in on all the best places to eat, visit, and stay in Vancouver. We followed his advice and had a great weekend.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
@DWDavis they can be scary and they can be nice. I love that he teased you and then welcomed you with a hand shake. Were you in uniform? I'm guessing you looked like army guys, short hair, standing straight and young...
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
11 Apr 16
Oh nice my friend so nice..glad you got to meet!
Okay good night then. See you soon.
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate You are welcome as always Paints..waiting to hear more.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
Thanks for stopping by..Have a good day.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
12 Apr 16
gigglin' :) the hubs borrowed his dad's lil suv when i was sent down to south texas to the hospital. seems he oopsed'n opened the sunroof (which he couldn't tell coz there's a cover inside) 'n he griped'p a storm with the 'road noise'. when we were comin' home, i figured't out 'fter 'bout 20 miles. had to dig the book outta the glove compartment to find out how's to shut the dang thingy.
so glad that'cha had that outtin' with yer friend - sure sounds like loads'f fun :D
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
12 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate bless yer heart. i'd the same trouble when i bought the '03 pickup. kept closin' the side mirrors whilst tryin' to figure out how to get the dang window to go'p - rofl! 'n then there's the mail slot...which turned out to be a cd player. nah, i'd ne'er'd such fancy gadgets! that owners manual 'came my bestest friend.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
12 Apr 16
I know the feeling I've had to check out the book many times...
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
11 Apr 16
Lol, that is pretty funny! It reminded me of a time we got a new car and I went someplace, when I went to go home it was dark, and I couldn't figure out how to turn my lights on, by the time I figured it out, my friend and I were giggling too.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
That has happened to me in the past too, it is funny and its good to laugh, so much better than getting angry...
1 person likes this
@lilnana1111 (2305)
• United States
11 Apr 16
@PainsOnSlate I agree, laughter is so much better.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
It is funny when you can't figure out the smallest thing..
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
It was winter, I hadn't ever tried to open the window before...but now I know how. The vehicle I call mine is a ten year old version of the new one and it has automatic windows too. I don't remember driving it for the first time but the window buttons were obvious. The interior not so sleek.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
11 Apr 16
Lol I hate getting used to a new car we have this issue every time we rent a car.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
I agree about the rentals too, my friend and I were talking about that after the laughter at the border. She flies out west often and rents a car at the airport. She says it happens with each new one...
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (56196)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
Oh that is cute. Thankfully the guard was aware of your struggles and could share in the humor. I'm looking forward to the next installment on the story tomorrow.
And if its any consolation, our car, which I only drive, I have no idea where the trunk button is inside of the car. So when I need to open the trunk, I shut off my car and then press the button on the keyfob. One of these days I'll remember to ask my husband, or if I'm ever at the border maybe I can ask one of the agents-LOL.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
I could give you lessons. I drive a 2015 Dodge Caravan. My first experience driving a van sounds more exciting. Sounds like an idea for a post.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
Good, I look forward to reading it. Ours in a 2016, and literally I had driven it about 5 miles in Florida and one mile here before I got on the QEW....
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381952)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Apr 16
I'm glad you were able to laugh about it! Vince's brother drove our car home from a concert and got pulled up by a breathalyser unit. He couldn't get the window down either. I'm sure the policeman would have thought he had a conviction for sure but my BIL had hadn't a drink all night.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
11 Apr 16
It was 9 am in the morning, I don't think he thought we were drinking, he was laughing too...Sometimes you get a border guard that is grumpy but this one was lauging
1 person likes this
