POE Question: Ste. Sault Marie versus Grand Portage

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

I'm getting way ahead of myself, but I'm a planner by nature.

When I've driven to see Craig before, I've always driven from Louisville through Chicago, up to Duluth and my POE for Canada was Grand Portage, Minnesota and then headed the 45 minutes on to Thunder Bay. This is a VERY small POE, and we've had some issues there before. Now, it's possible for me to drive from Louisville straight up through Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie and over to Thunder Bay. It only adds about 50 miles (not that big of a deal with the trip is 1000 miles one way)! I was wondering if there are any expereinces with the Sault Ste. Marie POE entering on a K1? Is it a larger POE?

Also, chances are, he'll be entering with the K1 sometime in the winter, and the drive from Duluth to Thunder Bay is terrifying (no cell phone signal, completely abandoned woods, curvy roads). The thought of driving it during a Minnesota winter terrifies me. Is the region between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie any better? What about the Northern part of the LP of Michigan?

Thank you!

Cass (bebop the great)

Edited September 6, 2006 by bebop + rocksteady

[CutienPurg 0]

Is the region between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie any better? What about the Northern part of the LP of Michigan?

Thank you!

Cass (bebop the great)

cant speak for the area between SSM and TB but it sure doesnt look like it would be any better. as far as northern lower michigan is concerned , they do get a fair amount snow depending on the month. however, your sweetie should be accustomed to that type of driving being a hearty northerner. since its an interstate they do try to keep it well cleaned.you can always check the michigan state police website for road conditions so you can make an informed decision on the route to chooose. dont forget you have to cross the great Mackinaw Bridge( 5 miles of suspension perfection) on that journey between lower and upper michigan and occasionally its closed due to weather issues.

SSM as a poe is a bit of a chuckle I think ..............lil ole thing with a couple booths.

Edited for compliments.......I forgot to mention how FREAKIN CUTE the 2 of you are together!!!!! I could just dunk ya's in my coffee.

Edited September 7, 2006 by CutienPurg

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

AWWW! Thank you!

Hmmm, well it looks like a darned if you do and darned if you do pretty much either way I go? I figured it'll be one of those things that the day before we look at the weather report and make the decision then.

One then is for sure, I'll be borrowing the parent's SUV. There is no way I'm taking my little Civic. We'd be lucky to fit a box in it, not to even mention driving in any sort of icy weather!

Cass (bebop the great)

cant speak for the area between SSM and TB but it sure doesnt look like it would be any better. as far as northern lower michigan is concerned , they do get a fair amount snow depending on the month. however, your sweetie should be accustomed to that type of driving being a hearty northerner. since its an interstate they do try to keep it well cleaned.you can always check the michigan state police website for road conditions so you can make an informed decision on the route to chooose. dont forget you have to cross the great Mackinaw Bridge( 5 miles of suspension perfection) on that journey between lower and upper michigan and occasionally its closed due to weather issues.

SSM as a poe is a bit of a chuckle I think ..............lil ole thing with a couple booths.

Edited for compliments.......I forgot to mention how FREAKIN CUTE the 2 of you are together!!!!! I could just dunk ya's in my coffee.

[Tracy 0]

The Soo is also a small port not as small as Grand Portage but still small. Weather there in the winter can be quite bad and they have been know to shut the POE down due to weather. Either POE is not the best ones to go through. I know you don't want to go completely out of your way with border crossing either. You could see how far Ft Frances is out of your way and maybe think there.

PS the only way i know this is that i work for a trucking company in Canada and my job in to get truck across the border and deal with customs Hope this gives you a bit of help

[bebop + rocksteady 0]

Hmm, Ft. Frances is about 3-4 hours out of the way, but would be worth it if the roads are better and the POE is better/bigger.

Cass (bebop the great)

The Soo is also a small port not as small as Grand Portage but still small. Weather there in the winter can be quite bad and they have been know to shut the POE down due to weather. Either POE is not the best ones to go through. I know you don't want to go completely out of your way with border crossing either. You could see how far Ft Frances is out of your way and maybe think there.

PS the only way i know this is that i work for a trucking company in Canada and my job in to get truck across the border and deal with customs Hope this gives you a bit of help

[Tracy 0]

It is a bigger port and the weather is not so bad it closes the POE. They are just a little more up to date on stuff there and i've never heard of them shutting the port down for weather. The only thing about Ft Frances is they are very nosey there. Limited in that part of Canada for good POE. If it wasn't completely and totally out of your way I would head to Emerson.

[tommysgirl 0]

Has anyone here ever immigrated at the Ft. Frances/Intl Falls crossing or know anyone who has? This the crossing I'll be using also (also in the winter by the looks of it.) It was 2C this morning and frost on the ground and roofs.

I've never had a problem crossing when I went down but Tom ususally gets stopped when he goes home. Maybe they just need something to do.

[laraandjeff 0]

Hi , I moved to Georgia fron Sault Ste Marie in Dec 05 on a K1. The POE has been redone and is easy to go through, not much traffic. The officers are very friendly but not very knowledgable so they spend a lot of time looking up proceedures in thier little black books. I have never had a problem going through and I have never heard of them closing for bad weather, It just takes a bit longer when your using your visa for the first time. As for the roads I75 is not too bad in the winter I would rather be on an interstate then a little highway in a snowstorm. PM me if you have any questions. Good Luck

[iceyspots 0]

Yes.. be weary because the Mackinac bridge does close right often. During the winter and during times of high winds (there have been cars that have been blown off the bridge). haha when you come by, pass through detroit i'll make ya dinner