Canadians..... (mostly Ontario, but a couple general questions too :)

[BahamaMama]

1. what is the speed limit on your 4 lanes? and to make this easy on me, if you could post it it MPH it would be appreciated

2. how bout some gasoline prices?? litre prices will work fine here, cuz i can easily do the conversion but curious as to if they are higher near the big cities than elsewhere.

3. i can't get this site to load other than the very top *logo* ..... anyone know anything about it or it's prices? http://www.skyproballoon.on.ca/

4. how bout this camp site? any opinions or anyone know of it? (and how long a drive to Niagara Falls (Canadian Side) if you do? http://www.cedarbeach.com/welcome.htm

5. is this theme park worth the money? and does anyone know if they offer *2 day rates*? can't find any on the site, but that isn't unusual. http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/

6. Blue Jay Games....... looking at going on 6/10 ..... is there ever a problem with just getting nose bleed tickets at the gate?

7. Crossing the border questions.....

a. do those without a government issued ID (children) need to have a birth certificate along?

b. animals? are pets allowed to cross border without quarantine?

c. can a specified amount of alcohol come across border?

d. how about electronic products? will the border *assume* that things are meant to be left there duty free, or will they allow it to cross without question as personal belongings?

8. is there one place that would be easier than another for the crossing? (meaning would it be easier going up thru international falls, MN, then traveling across Canada and down, or easier to just cross at Detroit?

9. is there a car ferry that crosses the lake between Toronto and Niagara Falls, and if so, do they have a website that you know of?


okay, enough questions for this round....will think of more as we firm up our plans

 

[Myron]

>>1. what is the speed limit on your 4 lanes? and to make this easy on me, if you could post it it MPH it would be appreciated<<

Legally 60mph but you can drive about 75 mph before you will be stopped

>>2. how bout some gasoline prices?? litre prices will work fine here, cuz i can easily do the conversion but curious as to if they are higher near the big cities than elsewhere.<<

It depends on the day of the week and the mood of the gas companies as they fluctuate wildly. I just filled up today in Hamilton at 67 cents per litre but last week it was 75 cents a litre and the week before that it was in the 50s.

>>3. i can't get this site to load other than the very top *logo* ..... anyone know anything about it or it's prices? http://www.skyproballoon.on.ca/ <<

Nope

>>4. how bout this camp site? any opinions or anyone know of it? (and how long a drive to Niagara Falls (Canadian Side) if you do? http://www.cedarbeach.com/welcome.htm <<

No idea

>>5. is this theme park worth the money? and does anyone know if they offer *2 day rates*? can't find any on the site, but that isn't unusual. http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/<<

It's worth the money if you like that kind of stuff. It's essentially a mini DisneyWorld without the characters. Some good rides though although personally I hate roller coasters.

>>6. Blue Jay Games....... looking at going on 6/10 ..... is there ever a problem with just getting nose bleed tickets at the gate?<<

Why you could probably buy field level seats from a scalper for about $20 considering how unpopular they are right now.

>>7. Crossing the border questions.....

a. do those without a government issued ID (children) need to have a birth certificate along?<<

Technically yes but I doubt they would stop you if everyone else has id - leave your gun at home though

>>b. animals? are pets allowed to cross border without quarantine?<<

I don't know. Call Canada customs. There should be an 800 number for it. Here's the web site
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/general/menu-e.html

>>c. can a specified amount of alcohol come across border?<<

No but we do sell booze here you know.

>>d. how about electronic products? will the border *assume* that things are meant to be left there duty free, or will they allow it to cross without question as personal belongings?<<

There's no such thing as duty anymore. We have to pay GST on goods coming into Canada from the U.S. but U.S. citizens don't pay anything. The only exception is on alcohol and tobacco.

>>8. is there one place that would be easier than another for the crossing? (meaning would it be easier going up thru international falls, MN, then traveling across Canada and down, or easier to just cross at Detroit?<<

No as long as you leave your gun at home you should cross no problem.

>>9. is there a car ferry that crosses the lake between Toronto and Niagara Falls, and if so, do they have a website that you know of?<<

No although they are looking at setting one up for Toronto to Rochester. The drive is only an hour from Niagara Falls anyways.

I hope that helps.

 

[BahamaMama]

WOW....thanks heaps for your help Myron

official speed limit is lower than here, and about the same as far as *being stopped speed* ..... my reason for asking that question was that i'm debating which would be easier/faster/cheaper......driving UP Minnesota and taking the long way thru Canada, or cutting South of Lake Michigan, and having to deal with both Chicago and Detroit!!

as far as your *park* info goes.....my kids LOVE that kinda stuff, and i'm okay with it too They feel like orphans lately, as i've averaged 62 hours of work per week for the last 6 weeks, so when school ends, they WILL be treated to a good vacation

the *birth certificate questions* ....guess i'll bring the kids' certificates along just in case they won't let us back in (oh wait, does that mean i should NOT bring them along if they would make me leave them there? ) .....and no problem leaving the gun at home, the only people i want to shoot live HERE

thanks for the website for a # to call for specific info!!!!!

the only thing you left me unclear on is the *duty*, GST...thing!!!
that's a main curiousity....i realize if the believe you are bringing it back to the US after vacation, there is no problem, but what if you bring enough electronic crap that you think it is to LEAVE there?

 

[HONUS]

here are some answers, not all:

1. 62.5 MPH

5. kids love it.

6. no one goes....won't be a problem.

8. From MN, I would cross at Sarnia, which may cut down on your time vs Detroit because the line-ups are non-existant...there are a ton of trucks crossing at Detroit/Windsor. Either way is much shorter than going across Canada. To get to the Sarnia crossing, you go through Northern Michigan via Lansing. I took this route on September 13th as I needed desperately to get to TO and no flights were available.

9. No. A short 1 hour drive (if you go over the speed limit) from TO.

 

[BahamaMama]

Honus, not fully understanding your Lansing routing....... are you just saying that it's faster than DTW, due to customs crossing time? would this still be faster than cutting to the north and then back south on the Canadian side via the UP of Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie? or would it be faster to round the lakes to the south via Chicago Vicinity? yes, i know the milwaukee area ferry is available, but the charges are outrageous versus the time and gas it would take just to skirt the lakes one way or the other.

 

[HONUS]

I would recommend you go via Chicago and then cross into Canada at Sarnia. I guess you'll have to look at a map to fully understand. It is a faster crossing than Detroit and, in either case, that is the quickest way to get to Toronto.

 

[BahamaMama]

Thanks again Honus....yeah, i've looked at maps, and realize that distance wise, cutting south is definitaly closer....... was more curious about time wise due to big city BS traffic you know...like the kind around here which side of the cities are you from? or are you right in MSP?

 

[HONUS]

Actually, was is the operative word. I was living in the city (MSP) until September 11th and then was transferred back home, which happens to be Toronto, for various reasons all related to Sept 11th. I am a Canadian citizen and family is in Toronto, so the company I work for asked if I wanted to go back. I said yes. It was a very emotional time (that's an understatement!) and I made a very emotional decision. Company was very supportive.

Not sure if I made the right decision from a corporate perspective, but I'm happy to be home.

Having said that, I loved living in Minneapolis. I had a great place on Marquette (company paid) with quite a view. Had a great time exploring the city on foot (I run) and experiencing some of the good restaurants in the city (by the way, Toronto has 100X more great restaurants and with your $USD, you'll do ok).

Saw the Jays play the Twins last year in what was one of the best games I have ever seen (Jays won with back-to-back-to-back homers). Thought the Metrodome would be like Skydome....nothing like it. Metrodome is much smaller and cozier. You will not like Skydome, although it's enormity will awe you at first. I like the Metrodome a lot.

Unfortunately, didn't get to see a Wild game.

I miss Minneapolis and wish I could have spent much longer there. You have a great city and state and the people have the right perspective on life (vs a NY or Toronto...in the office by 7 am, but out the door by 4 pm.....Toronto is in by 7 and out by 7).

By the way, my favourite (note the "u") restaurant in Minneapolis: Zelo.

I know the route to TO because I needed to find the quickest way home. Planes weren't running. Someone suggested Sarnia. I got there at around 1 am and there was not another car at the border. It was great. Detroit, on the other hand, will be very busy with trucks. I know that for a fact because I've driven back from FLA numerous times via Detroit. And, you definately have to go through Chicago....it's the quickest (well researched by me).

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Mama,

I am leaving work now should be home in 20 minutes, will try to help out..

 

[BahamaMama]

You have a great city and state and the people have the right perspective on life

all i'll say here is EWWWWWWWWWWW !!! i'm only here right now, for lack of *permission* to move

love your input on travel time, as a long trip with 2 little ones needs to be kept as short as possible sounds like chicago is my way to go, and time it to go thru there during the middle of the night...thanks

p.s. i don't like the metrodome, does that mean i'll despise the Jays stadium?

TTM, thanks....i'll still be up a while longer looking at all this stuff and deciding if it will be easier to go thru Iowa and rent a Van for the trip

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

Re: Canadians..... (mostly Ontario, but a couple general questions too

1. what is the speed limit on your 4 lanes? and to make this easy on me, if you could post it it MPH it would be appreciated


Its about 60-65 MPH



2. how bout some gasoline prices?? litre prices will work fine here, cuz i can easily do the conversion but curious as to if they are higher near the big cities than elsewhere.


lately it has been around 64-69 cents per litre



3. i can't get this site to load other than the very top *logo* ..... anyone know anything about it or it's prices? http://www.skyproballoon.on.ca/

Doesn't work for me either


4. how bout this camp site? any opinions or anyone know of it? (and how long a drive to Niagara Falls (Canadian Side) if you do? http://www.cedarbeach.com/welcome.htm

Never been to that camp site, I can tell you it took me 5 hours to get to Pittsburgh from here

5. is this theme park worth the money? and does anyone know if they offer *2 day rates*? can't find any on the site, but that isn't unusual. http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/

How old are the 2 kids? They will love the place..will do a search for the website, will post results of what I find at a later time.


6. Blue Jay Games....... looking at going on 6/10 ..... is there ever a problem with just getting nose bleed tickets at the gate?

I am assuming you need 3 tickets?



7. Crossing the border questions.....

a. do those without a government issued ID (children) need to have a birth certificate along?
To be on the safe side I would bring it along

b. animals? are pets allowed to cross border without quarantine?

Good question... As long as it ain't a SNAKE I am sure you will be fine

c. can a specified amount of alcohol come across border?

Never tried that... will have to look that up as well


d. how about electronic products? will the border *assume* that things are meant to be left there duty free, or will they allow it to cross without question as personal belongings?

They shouldn't bother you,

8. is there one place that would be easier than another for the crossing? (meaning would it be easier going up thru international falls, MN, then traveling across Canada and down, or easier to just cross at Detroit?

Chicago route sounds like the way to go..

9. is there a car ferry that crosses the lake between Toronto and Niagara Falls, and if so, do they have a website that you know of?

NO

ask Jack for my email, will keep you posted

okay, enough questions for this round....will think of more as we firm up our plans

 

[BahamaMama]

TTM....... like your answers, and sounds great...but instead of bothering Jack for an addy, mine is in my profile, just shoot me a mail and i'll have yours would particularly like to question you further on the *electronic devices*

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

you have mail...

 

[BahamaMama]

so do you and i'll probably be up for another 20 mins or so......absolute MAX , 50 mins

 

[TIME TO MAKE $$$]

got it

Will be sending a quick email to you now, will have a full write up tomorrow or friday!

 

[Myron]

Bahama I checked into your electronics question and was told that when you get to the border to just declare that you are bringing in "x amount" of electronic equipment for personal use. Provided it isn't anything that can be used to make a bomb you should be fine. They will take down the info. and when you come back they will check to make sure it is all there. If it isn't then you can be charged a fee.

 

[Myron]

Bahama I would take Jesse Ventura over Jean Chretien as a leader anyday.

BTW, I think the weirdest question I was ever asked was by a business associate from Oklahoma. He was coming up to Toronto for a conference and was curious if there were any sodomy laws on the books in Canada.

My response was
"I was going to drive to Toronto to meet up with you but on second thought I think I'd better stay in Hamilton."

 

[BahamaMama]

Bahama I checked into your electronics question and was told that when you get to the border to just declare that you are bringing in "x amount" of electronic equipment for personal use. Provided it isn't anything that can be used to make a bomb you should be fine. They will take down the info. and when you come back they will check to make sure it is all there. If it isn't then you can be charged a fee.

2 points or further questions on this one i probably will not even be exiting thru the same state in which i enter thru. would this cause a problem with legally *declared* stuff? secondly, i actually did sort of want to leave some of the stuff there..... would that be best burried deep in the trunk, with a bunch of obvious camping equipment blocking it..... (and just saying the trunk is stuffed with personal belongings and not giving specifics?)

i'm guessing after a hot air balloon ride, a couple days at an amusement park, a day at niagara falls, and a day or 2 at a water park i won't have much money left to pay them anything when i come back to the states.....LOL