Passports

A per a new law, on June 1, 2009 all Canadians will need a passport to enter the U.S. Currently, we just show our driver licenses and birth certificates.. or if you are like me, I just show my citizenship card and driver license.

I've got 6 months to get 6 people a passport. I'm not complaining, I have known about this new law for awhile now.

I miss the old days, pre- 911 when we could just enter the U.S. with a flash of our driver's license. Now it's at least a 10 minute stop and nothing short of a rectal probe to enter into the U.S.

I remember once, last year while driving down into North Dakota for a weekend a U.S. duty patrol lady was quite upset that my daughter (then 4) could not open the van sliding door. The woman wanted the door open so that she could see in. (I guess she was figuring we were smuggling kids in??) My dh told the lady that my daughter couldn't open the door, that she was only 4 and that he would have to get out and open it for her. The woman huffed... sorry lady... Next time, we'll be sure to buy a van that has automatic door openers...

And then this fall, we went down for a day trip. After giving every piece of information possible the patrol guy wanted to look in the back of the van. Dh and I cringed. Not only was the van filthy dirty, we had things in the back... that when opened everything would fall out! LOL We survived that and the patrol guy really regretted opening up the back.

I don't think it will be any easier getting into the states with the passports though - it still will be a long wait, intense scrutiny with nothing short of a rectal probe...

May the passport Gods be in my favour and that I get them all before July 1st (we have no plans to enter the U.S. before that time!).