Driving US Crazy

We’ve now crossed the border from Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, Canada to it’s twin city Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, USA and moved further West into Wisconsin.

Sign pointing to the border crossing from Canada to U

Crossing the bridge into the USA

USA Border Customs

Trev managed to find a map and mark where we have travelled so far in America and Canada. I wil try to update it every week or so (depending on how far we have travelled), so you have a clearer picture of where we are.

Map of our trip so far.

The following blog is from Trevor about the challenge of driving a 31 foot motorhome around the roads in USA.

Trev at the wheel

I guess you all know that Americans drive on the wrong side of the road! I don’t know how many times I’ve jumped into the car ready to drive off, only to realize that I’m sitting in the passenger’s seat. I’ve actually made a fool of myself by jumping into a taxi on the left hand side in New York City, only to have the taxi driver very calmly say “You can drive if you want”.

Not only is our Motor Home (or RV) long, it is also very wide. I find it very intimidating cruising along on the big multi-lane motorways with trucks sitting on 70 mile an hour either side of me, often only millimetres between my mirrors and their the truck bodies.

Driving past Toronto - how many lanes?

There are roads everywhere and they are all very busy. Not many roundabouts and when on motorways, no traffic lights. However, if you make a wrong turn it takes forever to find your way again. You can’t just do a u-turn! Our Navigation GPS has been a godsend. Without it we would not be able to get around. If any of you have seen the DVD called RV, with Robin Williams where he has his GPS called Lola. She says “Turn right”. His wife says, “Go straight”. In the end his wife says, “Choose!”

Well, that’s a little what it’s like with Cath and our GPS. (Might start calling our GPS Lola!)

Heading into the mountain state parks have its challenges as well. The roads are windy and often with no guard rail to stop you from tumbling off the road edge. I can’t imagine how people drive around these roads in the winter when they are covered in ice. Often when someone is coming the other way they would have to pull over to let us pass. I’ve had to dodge racoons, the odd dear and squirrels.

There are some odd road rules here as well. Four way stop lights are bizarre. Everyone pulls up at the stop signs which are on all corners of the intersection. Then it is the first car to pull up gets to go first. However, after a few cars, who knows who was the first to pull up, so then you all fight it out. Often the four way stop signs are on major roads, so you need to watch carefully if driving along one that you don’t drive through a stop sign.

Another odd rule, but one that makes a lot of sense, is that in the USA you can turn right on a red traffic light as long as no one is coming along. The problem is that not all traffic lights allow you to do so. So you have to know when the rules change!

Toll roads are everywhere and you never know when one will spring up, so you must always have you cash ready. My biggest problem is stopping Cathy wanting to have a chat with the toll cashier when we have a line up of cars behind us.

Always think before driving into shopping parking areas, tunnels or servos. Check that you can turn around, able to park and that you won’t knock the top off the motorhome or the gas bowser!

Reversing in the RV requires one of the kids to run down to the back of the RV, look out the back window and yell if we are about to hit anything!

Other tips… keep side step up, wind down TV antenna, close roof vents, put anything sitting on tables away and put bubble wrap under the stove grate (as it will “drive you crazy” with the rattle).

Driving in USA has so far been a very different experience. But I have to say, the more you drive the easier it gets! Now, to entice Cathy to get behind the wheel!…….

Howitt's trusty RV