Just for fun...when is the next time you're going "home" to Canada?

[thetreble 19]

That sounds awesome, Somber. You will have to let us know how that holiday in NS goes. I've always wanted to there in the summer myself.

My husband and I are going to Ottawa on June 29th for Canada day Celebrations! WOO HOO! It has been three years since I have been back to Ottawa, which is where I lived before I moved to New Jersey.

Hopefully I can make another trip in August to see my friends and family in Toronto. I do try to go as often as I can. Even if its just for 3 days.

[Marilyn. 340]

it is about a 24 hour drive for us... but that is without stops.. last time we drove we left on a Saturday afternoon and got there Monday afternoon..

and yeah I know some time is better then no time but the thing is the bulk of our time their would be during the week and my parents work during the week...

[Flames9_RN 358]

it is about a 24 hour drive for us... but that is without stops.. last time we drove we left on a Saturday afternoon and got there Monday afternoon..

and yeah I know some time is better then no time but the thing is the bulk of our time their would be during the week and my parents work during the week...

I departed Saskatoon 0500 Monday Morning, and got back to DC Wed night around 2000! I did stay 2 nights in hotels! Was a long drive. Anna my dog faired ok, she doesnt like to travel! And no way my wife would do it,lol don't blame her

[Colleens 40]

yeah it looks like we won't be going to Canada next month.. ticket prices are just too high.. we might take a little trip to the Grand canyon though

Have you tried using pricelines name your own price? I just did that for my trip home and got a flight from Knoxville to Edmonton for $500, and I think if I would have bid a bit less I may have got it for $450 as they were offering the flight with rental car for about $530. I booked about a week and a half before my departure date. You could always try that route and if your bid gets accepted you are off to Canada, if not you go to plan B!

[Allie 5]

I'll add to those who are jealous of people who live close to the border. It only takes us three hours and change to be in Canada and about four hours to my step-daughters homes (husband is the Canadian). We visit about four times a year and everyone comes to visit us about every other month. However, I am REALLY looking forward to this time next year. My husband, son (teenager) and I will be trekking from our home in northern Indiana to Nova Scotia where we are renting a beautiful cottage for a week. My step-daughters and their families will be driving from Toronto to meet up with us. It is my father-in-law's 80th birthday and with all of our kids getting older, having families, etc. we're guessing it's our last chance at a true family vacation. What a better way to spend it than in NS for an 80th birthday party?! I'm really looking forward to the drive as I've never been through New Hampshire or Maine before.

On the subject of how expensive airfare is, a few months ago we paid for flights for my mother-in-law and father-in-law to come here from NS. I nearly had a stroke. It's a good thing that I like them. They'll be arriving next Wednesday for two weeks.

Where in N.S are you travelling to? I'm from Cape Breton Island which is known as Nova Scotia's Masterpiece.

N.S. is a very beautiful Province but Cape Breton is breath taking. Enjoy the ocean and the many beaches

Nova Scotia has to offer.

I'm going back for 10 days in Aug. and can't wait to breathe in that ocean air

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Have you tried using pricelines name your own price? I just did that for my trip home and got a flight from Knoxville to Edmonton for $500, and I think if I would have bid a bit less I may have got it for $450 as they were offering the flight with rental car for about $530. I booked about a week and a half before my departure date. You could always try that route and if your bid gets accepted you are off to Canada, if not you go to plan B!

I've used Priceline for car rentals but am leary to do it for flights because I don't know how much choice you have in booking the actual flight times and non-stop, things like that. I have a horror of getting locked into a flight with 2 lay-overs that starts at midnight and gets in the following night at midnight or some thing like that. How much control do you have - if any - over the details involved in the flight. Can you specify non-stop and that it leaves in the morning and returns in the afternoon?

[Colleens 40]

I've used Priceline for car rentals but am leary to do it for flights because I don't know how much choice you have in booking the actual flight times and non-stop, things like that. I have a horror of getting locked into a flight with 2 lay-overs that starts at midnight and gets in the following night at midnight or some thing like that. How much control do you have - if any - over the details involved in the flight. Can you specify non-stop and that it leaves in the morning and returns in the afternoon?

You don't have a lot of control when booking. Your flight can be from anywhere from 10am-10pm and you can't specify that you want to leave in the am or pm. They attempt to give you the flights with the least amount of stops and the least time between stops. I think it would depend on what airports you are leaving from and going to if you would get a non-stop flight. I have done my last 2 flights through this and have only had one connection in Chicago. They were between 1-2hrs for the layover, which works well for me travelling with the baby. It gives me enough time to change her, grab a bite to eat and get to whereever my next gate is. I also did name your own price a few times when we were dating LD (I was in Ottawa so I always left from Syracuse) and always got fairly reasonable flights. Since I am still at home with Emma, I am pretty flexible with my time so I just book my trip a day or 2 longer to account for having a departing flight that happens to be later in the evening flight or a returning flight that leaves early in the am.

[Moosker 7]

Yeah! I just booked another trip home The wedding was much too short, so I'm going over the long weekend in September, going to make a mini holiday out of it!

[OBX 51]

Next weekend..yay! Going to cheer my oldest son on in his first duathon.

Will also be my first trip back with an expired green card....we'll see if they let me back in.

[Moosker 7]

I was a bit worried too to use my letter, but getting into Canada I only showed my passport (no biggie) and coming back across at the Peace Bridge, they didn't ask me any more questions than normal!

[Krikit 1,163]

Yeah, using the letter was no problem for me, either. But it's funny (not) how you expect there to be a greater degree of harrassment.

[Moosker 7]

I never expect a smooth crossing...just in case!

[warlord 72]

Ok trying to go to see my parents in Guelph and my two brothers who are visiting at the same time in mid Aug. So a mini family reunion. Just going to make it a long weekend of maybe 3 days and so fly in and fly out. Other then the 2 layovers I had in Canada last month for a short time, this will be my first time in over a year and a half.

Goals for my trip:

a) Fries and Gravy and NY Fries (if it still exists)

b) The best ever chicken wings at this Chinese fast food place

c) Taste to see if Ketchup chips still taste good (or if my taste buds have changed over time)

d) Harvey's burgers

e) Mr. Freeze White Cream Soda flavor as they are the best and we don't have that in our Otter Pops

I would put Maynards Wine Gums, but had those in England in Nov since they're not Canadian.

Wait, why do all my goals have to revolve around food and unhealthy food at that?

[thetreble 19]

haha Most of our goals revolve around that I think. And it is all unhealthy, too, haha. But, those are my favourite things. Man, the cream soda flavoured freezie is definitely up there. So tasty.

[Moosker 7]

I always have an agenda when we cross the border.

- Tim Hortons coffee (even though I'm not really feeling like a coffee, I still get one!)

- Duty Free

- Bulk Barn stop during my trip

- Shoppers Drug Mart

- at least one grocery store trip with my Mom (I know...it's the same...but still FEELS like home!)

I'm sure there's more, just can't think of them right now