I have used at least 15 different land border crossings between the U.S. and Canada in the last 30 years.
My favorite was the ferry between Marine City, MI and Sombra, ONT. It closed last year due to ice floe damage to their landing site.
Too bad. That was really cool.
Working in Laconia NH and on Friday drove North to a motel in Newport. Next morning I crossed the border into Canada , I think Stanstead. I may have some of the names wrong.
Got to the border about 6:45 AM. Two lanes and an office building. The sign said Stop and proceed slowly. No Canadian border guards They were inside having coffee.` I proceeded slowly and all hell broke loose. Bells, siren, flashing lights. i stopped. Three of them came out of the building guns drawn. I put my empty hands out of the window.
A woman officer asked what doo you think you’re doing. i said I did what the sign said stop and proceed slowly. It was obvious to me I have caught them leaving the checkpoint unguarded for coffee. It was an early Saturday morning.
They questioned me and let me go.
On Sunday i came back down the Hwy and got off and went through a small Canadian town. There was checkpoint on the south side. Like a rail road crossing arm. A US border patrol was sitting in the kiosk drinking coffee and reading the paper. Where you been? here you headed? Go ahead.
I would think things have changed since 1988.
In Montreal there was a restaurant with a horseshoe shaped bar I sat there and ordered. When I asked for a check someone had already paid it. Quebec City was interesting. This was before I have been to France 4 times.
Met McCain In Laconia at the motel. The first time he was considering a run for president. Got a hand shake.