[Paddlewise] Another Can/US Customs tale

This minor incident happened when crossing back into Canada a few weeks ago:
we were delayed only a minute or two, but there may be some useful learning.
After 3 weeks of great paddling in the Charleston S.C. area I hosed all
vestiges of saltwater off my 2-year old Gulfstream, gave her a nice polish,
tied her down with the smart new straps I had picked up in Charleston and
set off homewards.  At the Fort Erie crossing, in pouring rain, the polite
lady from Canada Customs seemed interested and impressed by the boat. "Looks
just like new" she said. I beamed with innocent pride, "Thanks, it's a
couple of years old, but I try to look after it." I replied. "No," she went
on, "I mean it looks really new. Do you have a receipt?" As a person who
considers it a triumph to remember to take a passport, a receipt was not
likely to be in my papers, so we chatted a little more. Perhaps it was the
same pouring rain that gave my boat it's slick, brand-new appearance that
also discouraged her from venturing out of her hatch; anyway, she waved us
through. Moral: either carry receipts for major items or keep pride of
ownership in check when crossing borders.

Keith Rodgers
  
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