Ogdensburg, Upper New York State, USA

Thursday dawned and we had planned to go across the border into the USA with Bill and Brenda, who have a parcel service there for buisiness reasons. So, we got organised, rugged up, and into the car we went for about an hours drive south to the border. That was of course after they had unplugged the car from the mains power supply so that it didn't freeze!! Geesh... the things you don't have to think about when you live in Australasia!

The border of Canada and the USA in this area runs along the St Lawrence river, which is HUGE! And almost completely frozen at this time of year... it looks really impressive. You have to drive over a bridge from the Canadian town of Prescott, to get to the other side of the river where you hit US customs, and the town of Ogdensburg. This was quite an interesting process, and we managed to get through it without being shot or tasered!! Well done kiwis!!

We arrived at the booth and Brenda got out of the car to talk to the guard, as did Bill which caused the guard to become somewhat jumpy and ask "where are you all going, and what are you doing??"... geez mate... don't ya wanna see our passports?? After Brenda said that there were two Canucks and two Kiwis to go through, he directed us to another building. That was of course after he had almost wet himself laughing at us wanting to come over here and experience winter! People really do think we are crazy! Ah well... crazy kiwi's... what can we say??

Once we got inside the building, we had to fill out some forms, and it is now standard procedure for people to be fingerprinted and photographed! Nah... we didn't feel like criminals... honest we didn't!! Becs has never been printed in her life, so that was a bit different for her. At least they use a computer program and don't use ink... i guess that is a bonus! Well, we got through that process and were issued with a temporary visitors visa, which is valid for 90 days. What a bargain for $6 USD each!

We were now in the USA, in a small Up-State NY town called Ogdensburg. It was a really bizzare experience going across the border between two towns where there is only a river separating them, and they are totally different! Accents, road signs, metric to imperial... and all only a river separating! Unreal. It also felt a whole lot colder in this town than it did back in Metcalfe! Even though temperature wise it was probably warmer. We were told it was because we were by the water... Geez... wouldn't want to live by the water in these temperatures... it was really really cold!

Icicles on a house near the river.

View of the river in Ogdensburg near the old port area.

We went to the Fredrick Remington museum while we were there. He is quite a famous US artist from the late 1800's to early 1900's. The museum is in the old family mansion, which is absolutely gorgeous. There was a lot of lovely fine art, and amazing sculptures to look at which was really interesting. Also several Tiffany lamps, which were pretty impressive! We got to talk to some interesting people too. The tour guide had a kiwi daughter-in-law who used to be in the ladies All Blacks squad! Small world eh?

The beautiful old mansion that houses the museum.

This is a picture of probably his most famous sculpture. Called Bronco Buster. The detail is incredible!

This was probably our favourite painting. It was such amazing detailing that is almost looked 3D. Very impressive!

Once we had finished at the museum, we were headed out to a small town called Canton where there was apparently a pretty good Chinese Buffet. We were all pretty hungry by this time, so decided to stop at a diner and get some milkshakes. Well, Lee went in and said that it was just like something out of an American movie, where the waitresses were like, "What would ya like Honey" and "OK darrrrrrlin". And the milkshakes were really really Yummy!! :)

The Chinese was pretty good too. We got fortune cookies at the end, and were advised by our friends that you have to add "in bed" to the end of the sentence. Was hilarious. This is what we ended up with:

"good news of a long awaited event will arrive soon.... in bed"

"forgive the action, forget the intent.... in bed"

"playing safe is only playing.... in bed"

and the last one

"if i bring forth what is inside me, what i bring forth will save me.... in bed"

Well, you are now pretty much caught up with our adventures so far... nothing to report from Becs today as i sat on my butt typing this blog all day. Lee managed to get into the workshop today and is sinking his teeth into making some armour... so he is a happy camper.