A brief visit to the Eastern Townships, then South to the USA (twice)

Michelle with right foot in Canada and left foot in USA (Haskell Free Library)

After leaving Québec city, we headed south. First to Sherbrooke, where we needed an oil change for the car (6000+ kms on this trip), then to North Hatley on Lake Massawippi, where stayed in a very cute auberge.

Next day, we headed to the Canada-USA border. We actually crossed it twice. The first crossing, an unofficial one, was entering the Haskell Free Library from Stanstead Quebec, via its front door located in Derby Line, Vermont. Quite a unique place, the building was purposely built to straddle the border, with a line on the floor down the middle of the building denoting the USA-Canada border. One is allowed to enter from either Québec or Vermont without reporting to Customs. If one comes
in from Canada, you must stay on the sidewalk and return to Canada immediately upon leaving the building. The border outside is marked by flowerpots on the street. Very unusual. Harkens back to a time when the USA looked upon Canada (and Canadians) as trusted friends.

Stanstead Québec/Derby Line Vermont border flowerpots

After Stanstead, we formally entered the USA, being interviewed by two women CBP officers, easily the friendliest USA Customs officers we have ever met. An enjoyable conversation actually.

Then we started the drive south into the USA. The further south we drove, the more the experience "descended" into chaos. Hades, here we come.