Real-life ‘Planes, Trains and Automobiles’
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 31/07/2021 (1905 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
American Neil Albright and Canadians Mackenzie Gray and Chantelle Gray were seen spending time at their cabin just inside the United States earlier this week.
Mackenzie’s trip getting there, mere steps south of the Canada-U.S. border at Lake Metigoshe, took a great deal more work than usual.
Land border crossings are currently only open for essential travel, whereas Canadians with a negative COVID-19 test can fly into the United States.
To be able to spend three weeks of her summer at her family cabin, Mackenzie had to fly from Winnipeg, where she lives and attends university, to Toronto, then to Chicago, then to Minneapolis. From there she had to take a train to Minot where her family picked her up and drove her the 1.5 hours up to the cabin which sits just feet from the invisible Canada-U.S. border.
When the border is open to travellers the trip is barely more than a three-hour drive from Winnipeg. Between the flights, train and prior COVID-19 test, the cost of the trip cost more than $1,000.
Albright and the Grays have written to both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as well as North Dakota politicians, U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris pleading for more common sense border rules including opening the border to travel.
They describe the uncertainty about when the border will open as frustrating and disheartening.
“Explain to me how I can be in a plane with 300 people, in contact with 10,000 people through four different airports but I can’t drive here in a car by myself with no contacts” Chantelle said.
The family is hopeful that the border reopens sooner rather than later.
Albright and the Grays have seen multiple families split by the border closure socializing and visiting at the Metigoshe border line and visit themselves with family across the line.
Chairs are set up on both sides at the back of their cabin so they can visit comfortably. Last fall, a wedding was held with guests on both sides of the border.
» tsmith@brandonsun.com