> - Customs agents pushing my car across the Canada-US border (Montana/Alberta).
>
> Tell us more about this part, Greg!
After 12 hours of continuous driving I finally got to the US-Canada border at
midnight (Sunday). In the past, I've always tried to look presentable at
border crossings (someone once told me that the more presentable you look the
easier it is to cross the border). On Sunday I looked anything bu presentable:
- was scruffy from not shaving for 24 hrs (my 6 o'clock shadow shows up at noon)
- was greasy from tightening screws, bolts, etc... along the way
- was sweaty from push starting my own car 2 hrs earlier
- was freezing from below freezing temperatures
- was bug-eyed from staring at the road for 12 hours
The customs agents didn't hassle me at all. I don't know if it was because
- they were an exceptionally nice bunch
- they felt sorry for me
- I reminded them of Jack Nicholson in The Shining
- ..........
Before I knew it, I was back in the car and remembered that my starter wasn't
working. Since the idea of going back to the customs booth to ask for help
wasn't appealing, I decided to do what I did in Great Falls; push start the car
myself. If you've ever crossed the border at Interstate 15 you'll know that
there is a fairly wide, open area of flat pavement in front of the customs
booth. After 5 or 6 tries at starting the car I:
- was more sweaty
- was frustrated
- was cold
- was definitely wide awake for the rest of the drive home
- had managed to circle around the entire customs area and was now once again
directly in front of the booth.
Swallowing my pride I asked the customs agents for a push; they helped; and I
was on my way.
I guess customs got more entertainment value than they bargained for that night.
Greg Partyka
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