Many of us have been itching to travel again as the pandemic continues longer than most expected.

The US/Canada land border has recently re-opened and Canadians across the country packed two kinds of passports this time around when heading south. 

Former Moose Javians, Kerry and Debbie Johnson retired eight years ago, sold all of their belongings and bought an RV to travel in. They usually spend the majority of the winter down south, but COVID-19 put a wrench in their plans.

"Last year was the first time we couldn't go down, we usually go down in October and come back in April," says Kerry.

In March of 2020, the couple was in Yuma, Arizona and quickly had to pack up and head home to Canada.

Kerry says the drive home that day was interesting.

"We got to the border and the guy asked where we were coming from and where we were going, he told us to remember to quarantine, and boom they just kicked us through the border."

He says the week before he got word of the border being packed with Canadian tourists and when they arrived around March 25, it was virtually just them.

"I guess it's all about timing."

The pair's timing seems to be impeccable as the next time they crossed the border, this November, they waited about an hour, crossing at Regway.

"Friends of ours from Alberta went through at the major border crossing at Coutts and it took them about three hours."

Another interesting thing about crossing this time around was how extensive the search was.

"There were three border guards per vehicle searching everything, they were being extra careful," Kerry explains

Luckily, PCR tests are only required when crossing back to Canada, he says he hopes that rule changes when they come back in the spring.

"Some places are charging $300 for a test, it's kids 5 and up so a family of four could add on upwards of $1,200 US"

The pair is excited to be back in the United States for the winter.