Camping and campfires go together, right? As we were about to leave on our camping trip...hubby reminded Jeremy to grab some firewood from the farmyard to be certain we had enough fuel for the weekend. We spent a good hour and half in the border line-up...awaiting our turn to enter the USA. We knew better than to bring fresh fruit or veggies...and were quite certain we had left all forbidden foods behind in Canada. The customs officer went through the list of offending items and decided we were free to go. Then he had one more question...'Did we have any firewood?' No we didn't, but what if we had? We discovered that we would have to turn around...go unload our wood on Canadian soil...and return to the back of that long line-up. Oh dear. Jeremy had the wood and was not far behind us. Hubby called his cell phone and told him to leave the firewood behind...as he would not be bringing it across the border. What to do? He unloaded it neatly beside the road, and never lost his place in line...and had no problems whatsoever with customs. We all arrived at our campsite just south of the border safe and sound...where we discovered there was firewood to be had...at a price. A dear price, that is! We enjoyed our campfires...and our campfire food.
We made bush pies for dessert...some with cherry pie filling and others with nutella, bananas and marshmallows. We cooked smores and cinnamon snakes...and sat around the fire just to stay warm. By the time Canada Day rolled around...the campground had not one stick of firewood left. What now? Jeremy decided to go find some off site...and he did. A few pallets and building scraps left at the roadside for for the likes of us did the job just fine. (What goes around...comes around!)
We chatted with another Canadian camping nearby...who told us he had been turned back at the border because he had firewood. We shared our story...how we had left firewood beside the road to avoid that very thing. And then we had a good laugh. The other camper had noticed a pile of firewood beside the road...free for the taking...as he sat in the border line-up. So he helped himself...only to be turned back at the border. It turns out one can be burned with firewood as well...not just fire!
All that to say...if you plan to camp in the US of A...plan to burn American wood!
Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends. Enjoy your celebrations...whether or not they include fires or fireworks!
That's a funny story about the firewood. I guess there's the possibility of bringing infested wood into the country. Even plants can't be transported across the border. I have never had a bush pie but it sure sounds delicious. Perhaps you could explain how to make one. Have a great day! Pamela
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a story...one that will be told over and over by your family and his! Glad you had fun despite the inconveniences and chilly weather. We are headed to the beach on Sat for our annual family trip. I am sure I will have some stories to tell when I return as well!
ReplyDeleteGreat story and it looks like you had a nice camping experience inspite of the weather. I need to get one of those pie irons - your bush pies look yummy.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! I love it. You have a firewood story that only you have. Well...I guess the guy who took advantage of beautiful firewood has a story almost like yours.
ReplyDeleteLoved the photos.
Happened with one of our camping parties a few years ago too (Chris & Shereen, actually). thankfully the firewood was cheaper where we were camping (though it's still never as cheap as bringing your own from home!)
ReplyDeleteLove this story! The firewood that kept trying to cross the border!
ReplyDeleteThe sun is shining this morning, maybe the weather is warming up. It's time.
I crossed the border with my dughter recently and, while talking to the customs official, she asked something about a future camping trip. Luckily he volunteered the info on the firewood. A funny story, but not if you are the one being sent back. Okay, you make the best campfire eats!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good thing you werent turned back, and also managed to let your other people know to ditch the wood. But how funny that someone else tried to bring it in!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a "bush" pie, but I've eaten my share of pudgy pies.... that's what we've always called them! As an American, sorry about the firewood; unfortunately the emerald ash bore beetle likes to travel in firewood, and he's been decimating the ash trees here for the last few years.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you enjoyed your trip in spite of the firewood episode. Honestly, sometimes all these regulations do make me cross! What earthly harm could it do to bring a few pieces of wood over? (I suppose the forestry people are afraid of bugs -- as if they wouldn't just fly or crawl over the border anyway without giving a thought to the border crossing!!)
ReplyDeleteReminds me of the time we were driving my very proper and staid grandmother home to Alberta. As we crossed the Border, the agent asked if anyone had any alcohol. My grandmother bounced upright and gave him what-can-only-be-described-as the "evil eye." " Certainly not!" she huffed. The man did have the good grace not to laugh!
Who would have thought you couldn't bring firewood!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing your pic around the camfire - all cozy in jackets! Down here in Texas we won't be wearing sweaters or jackets for MONTHS!
Canada Day and the 4th of July!! God bless us all!
Oh my...I would have never thought wood would be a problem. Oye! That is too funny about the wood on the side of the road story!
ReplyDeleteThe firewood story made me smile. Big! I wanted to let you know that I have enjoyed your header this week. I like Red!!
ReplyDeleteThat,s a cute story about the firewood....smart guy leaving it stacked by the roadside....you have trained him wisely..I love the smell of camp fire. We enjoyednthatnevery evening in June during the rainy days...
ReplyDeleteAs I read the first sentence of your last post..."though we needed jackets and firewood", I knew I had come to the right place. Those words sounded so inviting to me. You see we are having 100 degree tempetures and high humidity for the last week or two. Honestly, it zapped the energy out of all of us as we celebrated our holiday yesterday. Camping sounds better to me with your weather conditions. I do think snowcones sound better in the heat though. Your family pictures are so interesting and it all looks like you had a special time together.
ReplyDeleteI liked the wood story.
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ReplyDeletesorry... I thought I was on your next post ...
ReplyDeleteI'll go there now.. but your story about the firewood is worth repeating. So funny!
that is hilarious about the firewood! and the camp food looks absolutely delicious and easy, what a great time you guys had!
ReplyDeleteGreat story about the firewood. We go camping about every other weekend and there is nothing better than a good campfire.
ReplyDeleteI love your story and pictures. We hope your family will stay with us again sometime.
ReplyDeleteHappy camping,
The Martin Family
Lynden KOA Campground