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Latest COVID border deal


EastMark
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It will be interesting to see what happens Jack.  Things are happening fast across Canada right now, restrictions are being reduced and or removed.  The Federal (Trudeau) government is supposed to announce changes first of the week.  Hopefully it will mean no testing for fully vaccinated as a first step at least. 

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12 hours ago, Shore1066 said:

Well after all stress we went through it was worth it.  Got home tonight at 6 PM. Long trip. 2288 miles in 10 and a half days.  Went through cold weather, kinda cold  and perfect riding weather.  Started in Swisha to LaSalle to Senneterre then as far north on 93 as we could go.  Then to St Felice.  Followed a local trails north to 93 and followed 93 south to 23 and then to the Delta. Oh yes and others know I'm sure,  the 93 at the sawmill has changed to go over a mountain with gravel roads. Sucked. Delta we went to Mattawa and from there to the Goiun. The next day was long . Gouin to Val Dor.  Val Dor to Timiscaming and back to the truck by noon. Home by 6. Hands are sore, thumb is really sore and arms are a little longer.  Rode mostly all groomed trails. Some restaurants didn't like our vax cards because they have not seen them before but when you explain the border excepted them they agreed.  

  Biggest shocker was cost of gas. 8 to 10 dollars a gallon.  More in the Bush. But it's worth it.  People are still great. Poutine is great.  All is well and time for bed. Be safe every one.  

Sounds like you and your group had an awesome trip!  I have plans to head out for 10 days starting next Thursday with a group riding from cabano to Clova and all points in between.  I hope we all land back with the same complaints as you: sore thumbs, and stretched arms.

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2 hours ago, revct1 said:

Sandi and I both got the lucky test this trip at the border this past Sunday.  We took the tests with the laptop at the Delta and refrigerated the tests overnight.  We left the tests at the desk and went snowmobiling.

I looked a couple of days later on DynaCare's website and Sandi's test was negative and my sample had:

TEST RESULT FOR COVID-19 PCR:
TEST NOT PROCESSED
An issue with the submitted sample prevented COVID-19 viral testing. Resubmission and retesting of another sample is required to determine infection status.

I imagine this does happen occasionally.  No one has contacted me via e-mail about a re-test and we are heading back to Connecticut tomorrow.  We will see what happens next time I cross the border into Canada.  I feel like the guinea pig.  I'll keep everyone informed if something unusual happens.

Jack & Sandi

Jack, I think I read somewhere that if you get that result you cant go home until April 15th.😉

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2 hours ago, smclelan said:

Sounds like you and your group had an awesome trip!  I have plans to head out for 10 days starting next Thursday with a group riding from cabano to Clova and all points in between.  I hope we all land back with the same complaints as you: sore thumbs, and stretched arms.

I think the reason for so many miles is that there was only 2 of us 

 We were riding brand new sleds and of course the trails were great.  We also looked for trails that were flat and we checked the groomer report every day.  Rode a lot of orange trails around Lake St. Jean and green trails when we could.  

  Some will say no but we can get 15 to 18 miles to the gallon on our 850,s. Only trail I thought needed attention was 83 west of Parent to clova and east of parent to the bridge going into the village there. 

  To be blunt I just hope I will be able to do a trip like this again.  I just turned 71, but I don't know it riding on a snowmobile.  

  We did talk to a lot of people about their oxygen helmets and they all said they loved them.  One guy said that his once in while will freeze closed shut and the helmet is still worth it.  So next year l am going for a new helmet.  

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12 minutes ago, Shore1066 said:

To be blunt I just hope I will be able to do a trip like this again.  I just turned 71, but I don't know it riding on a snowmobile.  

Get in our trucks, point them to Québec, and count on inertia!

Fun habit: Look around the clubhouses & relais, and see plenty of QR's older than us!

Great ride yo! Thanks for sharing the info!

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3 hours ago, markusvt said:

blah, blah, blah. In the beginning I was all stressed out about this. In reality, while being a minor PITA it has been stupid easy and FREE. You never did need a full blown "PCR" test as a NAAT test was acceptable and Walgreens has made the process quick, reliable and FREE. "Rapid ID Now". Personally the fear of getting the random test at the border and the associated time/bullshit that goes along with it is more of a concern. 

I escaped the last two crossings (two guys each time) and neither of us got it. I am 99% convinced I will be getting it today when I cross alone. I'll update later.

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2 hours ago, jak said:

I crossed the border alone 4 times this season never got the random test. Just lucky or the fact I am a wonderful law abiding citizen? 🙂

To my surprise no random test when I just crossed 

The border chick was from Montreal and hotter than my 1200 engine up in Casey last month 

Your right Jak it pays to be an abiding citizen 

She asked me if I had an cannabis 

Not me ma'am 

I'm on the 401 right now going 25mph Hazzards on and can't see 50 ft in any direction 

GOD I LOVE THIS SHIT 

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Almost 9 hours to Sherbrooke yesterday when it usually takes me 6.5 if it wasn't the worst ride to Quebec I have ever had it was certainly the 2nd or third.

Heading to Mattawin now but Have to stop first and meet an old friend for the first time. 

Mother nature is playing nicer today 

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I got THE BEST border old-timer tonight @ Champlain. He asked if I had any leftover cannabis, and I said no it doesn't improve my sledding skills.

He said when you're home and safe it's OK, you can have gummy bears or brownies or jujubees. I just smiled (under my mask).

Then he asked about any weapons, even for self defense. I said no, I depend on my negotiating skills, and he gave me back my paperwork and said to have a nice ride and stay healthy.

 

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We got the same line of questioning at the border.  Looks like you stopped at the Sunoco gas station at the Champlain exit.  Best chicken ever.  If you get there on a Friday they have fresh perch too.  

We did a 750 mile loop around Lac St Jean.  Started in Beaupre, drove out of the rain on Thursday. Most trails were perfect but some sloppy due to all the snow they got.  We were winging it too, no issues.  Although the Casino in La Malbaie was closed which we didn't know until we were already checked in.  For the most part places were ignoring the vaccine passport requirement to eat which was refreshing.  One place though refused to serve us because we didn't have the correct app that shows a specific QR code. Apparently Canadians use a different app than the ArriveCAN app we had to use.  I probably looked annoyed and started getting dressed to leave when the manager came over and told us to calm down they would serve us.  Just so nuts up there with the mandates.  Definitely a different vibe than in the US.  The more remote you got the less people seemed to care about masks, etc.

Anyway, we ended our trip a day early because of the storm that was coming.  Been there done that before.

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12 hours ago, stupe said:

Sunoco Champlain Best chicken ever...Friday they have fresh perch too.  

We did a 750 mile loop around Lac St Jean. 

Casino in La Malbaie was closed.

The more remote you got the less people seemed to care about masks, etc.

Anyway, we ended our trip a day early because of the storm that was coming.  Been there done that before.

Mmmkay, lots to unpack here:

#1) Sunoco fried perch?! On a mission now!

#2) Our initial intention was to just Pacman everything around Lac St Jean, but see #5!

#3) Gambled that the Casino was open, saved yourselves some gas (or chicken) money!

#4) As always, the more remote we get, the more people seem to care about... PEOPLE!

#5) Yep! Been there done that big storm thing! And will probably do it again! But completely avoidable this time! Smart!

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Actually I'm not opposed to riding up there in big storms.  We would've had to drive truck back in it!  Took us 10 hours last time instead of the normal 5 hours.  They shut every highway down so we had to take back-ass country roads all the way to NY in whiteout conditions.

I'm told the perch is from the locals ice fishing and it's only served on Fridays for some reason.  But its excellent, worth trying!  Enjoy your trip!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Good news ...I guess. Wont have to do the Walgreen's thing anymore. I have to admit they did a great job of letting you schedule online, pull up to drive through real quick and results in less than two hours and ALL FREE  ArrivCan app worked well too without any glitches. 3 trips , twice with two of us and once alone and never got the random. Wonder if they are still doing that too.

YIPPY !!!! 

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40 minutes ago, Jackstraw said:

It’s a giant step in the right direction from our tyrant Brenda

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Wouldn't be surprised if the ArrivCan stays in place for a long time.  It's easy and they would have a idea who is coming in and back ground check would be easy. 

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