June 16, 2012

Back to the USA!

We got an early start from 50 Point towards the border crossing at Port Huron. We managed to end up with a small amount of dog food, but we kept it in the bag to show it had no lamb in it. We also had 1 ½ extra bottles of wine but would pay the duty on that. The Port Huron crossing is huge, more than 10 lanes and not crowded at all. The border agent asked us where we’d been, how long we’d been in Canada, what fresh food did we have (two apples and half a head of lettuce), what alcohol did we have? Then he said he needed to check out our tow vehicle. After that he waived us through; no duty, no confiscation of anything. What a different experience from crossing last year in Vancouver, WA.

We had reservations at a KOA in Emmett, MI, just about 20 miles after the border. We found it easily and Rob went in the check in. When he called to make a reservation, the day before, he was told there were no full hookups available. Since we were only spending the night we could make do with just electricity and water. We needed to disconnect the Yukon before proceeding to our site. Our routine is that Rob unhooks the tow bar while I put the transmission in gear and disconnect the brake mechanism. This time the transmission would not go into gear (which has happened before with this car, but not on this trip). We could not disconnect if we couldn’t drive the car. The manager of the KOA was extremely cooperative and took Rob to a nearby site where he could pull through, actually taking up two sites. Rob’s had practice several times getting out of tight situations on this trip, but nothing like this one. He had to maneuver between water pipes on one side and electrical posts on the other, with clearance of no more than five or six inches. Oh, and there were also trees he had to clear. He can now claim Master Tight Squeeze Champion. Then he tried to level. No go! Without being able to level we wouldn’t be able to open the slides. He decided we couldn’t stay and would have to find another park to stay in. The mgr refunded every penny. So now, he has to maneuver around a tight curve with a tree in the wrong spot and a trailer parked right on the edge. He sends me out to give guidance. More grimacing! Besides the above mentioned obstacles, the left edge of the drive was bordered with railroad ties and Rob needed to bring the coach up and over them. That wasn’t going to work. The couple with the trailer were anxiously watching and came running over to give assistance. They took it upon themselves to move six ties giving Rob the room he needed and we made it out. We’d still be there if it wasn’t for their help. We don’t even know their name.  So now where to go. Our plan had been to stay at the KOA for two days and drive down to Oregon, Ohio the second day to pick up the stuff we left in storage. It was still early in the day so we headed down to Oregon. Had called Maumee Bay to make a reservation, but being Father’s Day weekend they were full. They did have five “walk-in” sites available, but we’d have to chance them being open when we arrived. Luck was with us.  Oh, and the car…? It went into gear with no problem as soon as we got to Maumee.