Recently, GT‘s Patty Vanikiotis wrote a blog about crossing the US-Mexico border. One of my funniest travel experiences involved the US-Canada border.

In 2002, my friends and I planned to go to Detroit and Toronto for our annual baseball trip. This was less than a year after 9/11, and security at the border was very tight. I drove the four of us in my Blazer all the way to Detroit. It was only after I pulled out my wallet at the hotel that I realized I had left my driver’s license at home. I had played softball the previous evening, and I only carry my license and loose cash to the games. The next morning, I grabbed my wallet (minus the license) and was on my way.

Getting into Canada without a license or any other picture ID would be impossible, so we set out to obtain a new ID. It actually wasn’t even that hard. After getting a few places from the phone book, we found the first place right by our hotel. At Bob’s Shop, Bob made a nice ID for me within minutes. He also offered to supply me with a birth certificate. I passed on that (wouldn’t my ink footprint be a bit large?).

The big test came when we attempted to enter Canada. Chuck drove and handed the border guard our four licenses (with my new ID in the strategic third slot for minimum impact). Even with this chicanery, we were still stalled, as none of us small-brains had thought to bring a passport. I think Chuck offered to show the guard every piece of information we had in the truck, including business cards, insurance cards and an old birthday card that was wedged under my seat.

The guard apparently had heard enough and stated that she was telling us for the last time. Then came Jim’s moment to shine. He pulled out a voter’s card, which the guard accepted as proof enough.

A funny after-effect happened at the game in Toronto. Chuck and I went to buy beers. The vendor asked for ID (even though we were both clearly over 21). The vendor nodded at my new ID and passed it back, but he scrutinized Chuck’s legit ID for several seconds before passing it back to him and giving us the beers.

Aside from the ID fiasco (which has now become one of our favorite stories), we all agreed that Toronto was a world-class city. The Hockey Hall of Fame, The Sky Dome (now the Rogers Centre) and the CN Tower are magnificent. The Toronto Zoo and HTO Park (Toronto’s first official urban beach) are great places to spend a day. Every meal we had in Toronto was awesome. Even the veggie dogs at the Sky Dome were exceptional! Each restaurant was better than the previous.

Jim was the hero once again when he secured the best table at an outdoor restaurant (unknowingly bypassing a lengthy line of waiting people). Sitting there, in the raised booth overlooking downtown Toronto, is a moment frozen in my mind. I get relaxed just recalling it.

I would love to go back to Toronto. I’d love to spend more time there checking out more sights. I’d also like to see a Maple Leafs (an original NHL franchise) game. I would also encourage anyone to visit our neighbor to the North. Just remember to bring proper identification (or else drop in and see Bob).

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist