| 1234567891011121314151617181920 | <p>Crossing the border was exhausting. There was a bridge to cross over thewater into Ontario (one of three connecting Michigan to Canada). At first I wastold I'd probably be turned away. Then I was told that it was fine. Then I wastold to wait. It was all very weird. Eventually an officer drove me over thebridge. It all seemed a little unnecessary as there was a perfectly goodpedestrian path going alongside the length of the bridge, but I was told thatpedestrians were not allowed to travel it, not since 9/11.</p><p>Once IN Canada, border patrol searched my entire bike and all my bags,pulling out my food, first aid kit, tent, and everything else, searching it allrather thoroughly. It seemed all so weird--searching me, a kid on a bike, sodiligently and invasively, as countless cars cruised by with barely a glance.But apparently I passed muster and they didn't find anything too bad. They did,however, confiscate the pepper spray that a lovely woman had given me at theMississippi River for my own protection. But this was fine with me; I didn'treally like traveling with it anyway but did so out of respect for the gift.</p><p>Canada was strange. The first things I noticed were how slippery their moneyis and also that there was a Walmart with a McDonald's in it.</p><p>I spent the rest of the day watching the new Mission Impossible film.</p>
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