What Happens After You Get a Car STOLEN on Vacation

The light peeks through the gap in the drapes, just enough to get my brain spinning. What city am I in and where am I driving to next, are the usual thoughts first thing in the morning when I'm out on the road.

But then it hits me hard, our SUV was stolen from the old port area of Montreal, Canada, last night. The carful of kids can't drive on to the next stop on our three-week road trip from central Texas to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, without a car.

I'm up now, no coffee needed--time to regroup. I told myself not to make any hasty decisions last night. But it's morning and I have to figure this out; three kids will wake up soon and I need some answers for them.

I turn over in bed and grab my iPhone, my remaining lifeline. I vaguely remember remotely deleting my MacBook and iPad late, last night--all my professional work, my life. Here's to hoping that back-up is safe and sound back in Texas.

Time to check the messages and email. My husband has been busy overnight and he's on it. Great.

Next problem--clothes. I tiptoe around the room to see what we have left. The girls are good but the boys lost their suitcase, all that's left is the dirty stuff in the laundry bag.

If I let them, they would wear dirty clothes for the next two weeks; I grab their bag and head to laundry room. Loading the machine, I see I'll have to replace some stuff before we leave Montreal. Time to start a list.

Back in the room, the kids roll over and Melissa is up. I motion to the bathroom, needing Melissa to join me for a conference.

Me: "Ok, here's what I've got. Spencer got us a rental car reservation with a mid-morning pick-up. I need to stop by the police department to get a copy of the report for the insurance claim he placed overnight, plus I have to report that his passport was stolen and that's a big deal."

Melissa: "OK, so what are we doing? Should I look for some flights home?"

Me: "Not for us, we can't get on a plane with the kids. They only have passport cards."

Melissa: "Aren't we suppose to check-out this morning?"

Me: "Let me go downstairs and get a late check-out. That will give us some time to regroup. I'll take a cab to pick-up the rental car and stop by the police station. Hopefully I can get all that done before noon or so."

Melissa: "OK, what about the kids?"

Me: "Can you stay with them for the morning, hang out at the pool while I deal with all of this?"

Melissa: "Are you sure you don't want me to come along?"

Me: "Nope, I think it's best for the kids to have some fun at the pool. Forget about last night and look forward."

Melissa: "What about our reservation at the park? Do you think we're going to make it? All the camping stuff was stolen right?"

Me: "We still have our sleeping bags and air mattresses. The camp site is equipped so we just have to replace our food, cooler and a lantern. Let's see how the morning goes, maybe we can get there by late afternoon."

Melissa: "OK, sounds good. Breakfast?"

The kids are already chatting when Melissa and I get out of the bathroom. Time to talk.

Me: "Dad's got us a car; what do you guys want to do, we could head back to the US or continue on to the national park for camping?

Boys: "We're going to get our car back. Can you get us some guns and hand grenades?"

I spend a minute listening to the boys relay their plan. This is a real-life adventure complete with bad guys. After a talk, the carful of kids decide to continue on with our trip. We have too, we won't let the bad guys win.

After a little research, I find a police station within walking distance of the rental car agency. The front desk calls a cab and I'm on my way.

On my way into Downtown Montreal, I see a Target. I make a mental note of its location for later.

Time to call Spencer.

Me: "Hey, I'm headed to get the car. What's up?"

Spencer: "Trying to get another passport on the fly."

Me: "You can get one, if you can work the system and prove need. I knew flight attendants that replaced them in 24-hours but it requires a trip to the passport office and all of your documentation in order, plus new pictures. The closest one is in Houston or Dallas. I think you need to open with My family has been a victim of international crime."

Spencer: "I pulled out my old one last night and I talked with a couple of buddies that gave me some advice. Can you fax a copy of the police report when you get it? I'll add it the file. How's everyone holding up?"

Me: "Great, we talked and we are moving forward; we'll be in Maine tomorrow to pick you up. Keep me posted on the passport, I don't even want to think what we are going to do if you don't get a new one."

Spencer: "Yea, I'm trying. Waiting for the passport offices to open so I can talk to an actual person. I got a toothbrush and boxers in my computer bag. I'm hoping to hop a flight later this afternoon if I can get an appointment for tomorrow morning."

Me: "Good Luck, I'll call you later."

At the rental car agency, I tell the agent my tale of woe. It seems they have lost rental cars at the port area, too. Great, good-to-know.

I get into my new KIA and look at the dashboard and see it's in KPH. This should be interesting; next stop, the Montreal Police.

I stand in line and see that there's a female officer, here's to hoping she takes care of me.

Officer: "Suivant." (Next.)

Me: "Je m'appelle Catherine Parker et je habite au Texas. Ma voiture a été vole la nuit dernière." (My name is Catherine Parker and I live in Texas. My car was stolen last night.)

Officer: "I know English, I went to university. I heard your story this morning when I started my shift." The French accent prevails.

Me: "Great, I am here for a copy of the police report." Good to know the carful of kids made an impression.

Officer: "Number?"

I hand her the card that the officers gave me last night with the number hand-written on it.

Officer: "It is not in the system. You will have to wait until the reporting officers finish the report."

Me: "And when will that be?"

Officer: "After they report for duty."

She goes on to explain, the finished report will not be ready for 14 to 21 days after the initial report is filed and I will have to request a copy in writing along with a check for $15, Canadian.

Me: "I need to add some additional items also."

I am trying my best to be polite. I hand her the list that we compiled over the last few hours.

Officer: "Who is Spencer Ford?"

Me: "He is my husband."

Officer: "Where is he?"

Me: "He is in Texas."

Officer: "Why did you have his passport?"

Me: "He thought he might forget it so he gave it to me for safe keeping. I'm meeting him in Maine tomorrow night."

Officer: "He's an adult, right?"

I used to like a French accent before they stole my car and insinuated inferiority with every statement.

Me: "Yes, he's an adult." Obviously, this officer is not married with three kids.

Officer: "He needs to keep his own passport if he's an adult. I can't make a stolen passport report unless that person is here to make the claim themselves. You don't even have the same last name."

Me: "I see, what if it was for my children? Would you accept my claim then, they have a different last name?"

Officer: "Yes, of course."

I take a deep breath and explain that my husband has put a stolen passport claim into the passport office back in the United States already and they have flagged it as stolen. I just needed to follow up and put it on the police report. It seems the US doesn't have the same issue.

Me: "I will work with my government and their passport agency. Can you just add it to the report along with the other stuff?"

Officer: "We like Americans, we have a special relationship." She hands me a printout of what she has on file.

I feel real special right now as I grab the paperwork and head for the door. I hop into my rental and make my way back to the hotel across the St. Lawrence River. It might be a while before I want to come back to Montreal again.

When I arrive at the hotel I find Melissa has loaded all of our stuff on a valet cart and they are sitting in the lobby, dressed and ready to go.

Can't steal my smile!

WOW, that's a friend.

I fax what I have in lieu of a police report to my husband's office. Everyone pitches in and gets the rental loaded. It's just a bit after noon and with a quick run through Target, I think the carful of kids can make it to La Mauricie National Park by the late afternoon.

Hotdogs for dinner and muffins for breakfast; new jeans, new underwear and a couple of shorts for the boys; new water shoes for all and of course, marshmallows. I stuff the receipts into an envelope from the hotel labeled THEFT/INSURANCE.


Before heading out of Montreal's cell phone range, I call my husband. After a quick update, we merge onto Autoroute 40 and head north out of Montreal.

La Mauricie National Park is in the Laurentian Mountains in between Montreal and Quebec City and is two hours away. I have reserved an oTENTik for the night, part A-frame, part platform tent.

I unload the rental, Melissa fires up the grill and the kids find wild strawberries.
There is a wildflower meadow right next to our campsite. I take a deep breath and enjoy the moment, I have earned it.

As I walk over to Melissa, I look over my shoulder to see if the kids are busy.

Me: "Hey, Spencer is on his way to New Orleans to try to get a new passport but that storm we have been watching, it's strengthening and threatening to shut down the East Coast now."

Melissa: "Geez."

How to get your Car STOLEN While on Vacation in 3 Easy Steps

Me: "Hey kids, Mom's tired. Can we check out the fireworks from across the river, closer to the hotel?"

Melissa: "Great idea, my feet hurt. Let's head to the car."

The carful of kids lumber across the parking lot from the Canada Day street festival (the birthday of Canada) in the old port area of Montreal. Revelers fill the streets enjoying street food and listening to one of several bands; everyone is flapping their little Canadian flags. They wait for the climax of the evening, the fireworks over the St. Lawrence River.

Me: "I think it was here."

Melissa: "I don't know, I can't remember."

The carful of kids walk around the parking lot for the second time.

Me: "Yes, it was; I remember, we parked in front of that grassy section, right there."

Melissa: "Yep, I remember that, too. Where is it then?"

The carful of kids, still in denial, stand in the middle of the parking lot looking in all directions for their 2012 white RAV4, with all-wheel drive. Melissa spots something in the distance.

Melissa: "Hey, there's our roof carrier, did the wind blow it off?"

Me: "Ugh." Denial fading.

Melissa runs to the black, soft-sided roof carrier laying on the ground. She picks it up. The kids follow, still confused.
Melissa: "Look, your passports!" She looks side-to-side to see if the perpetrators are still lurking in the background.

Fade to every poorly-written spy thriller I've ever seen.

Me: "#^*%, stay with the kids! I saw the police at the entrance to the parking lot. I'm going to get them!" I run off leaving my best friend of 30 years to deal with my confused kids.

*** 

Previously on the Carful of Kids blog--a mom, three kids, aged 6, 9, 11 and one best friend and traveling companion were on a 7,000 mile road trip from Central Texas to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. We had driven up through Memphis, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Vermont before crossing the Canadian Border into Montreal.

Earlier in the day, we toured the BioDome, Insectarium and Montreal Botanical Garden; we drove down to the old port area of Montreal to eat some crepes and to enjoy the fireworks over the St. Lawrence River.

***

My mind zooms past light speed as I race to the only entrance of the well-lit, security guard-paroled, paid parking lot that I chose for those reasons just hours before. I grab my phone and dial. <Step 1>

Husband: "Hello?" Hissing of the cat in the background, the sound of dog's claws scratching the wood floor is unmistakable. A large thud.

Me: "Hey, the car just got jacked."

Husband: "What? I can't hear you. I'm moving the office chair. The cat and dog are at each other again."

Me: "Are you listening? I don't have time to explain. Our car has been stolen. We are OK, but I need the VIN number. I don't have much battery left so text it to me soon as you find it. I'm running to find the police."

I hang up before he can say what? again. I see a man in a uniform. I run to him.

Me: "I need the police, I need to report a stolen car."

Man: "Pardon?" (all dialogue should be read in the best Pepe Le Pew accent you can muster)

***

Kids: "Where's our car?"

Melissa: "I think it might be gone."

Kids: "Who took it and when is it coming back?"

Melissa: "I don't know. But your mom is looking for the police and your parents have lots of insurance."

Son #1: "What about my skateboard? My surfing magazines?"

Melissa: "Might be gone."

Daughter: "My Harry Potter's, I have five in the car."

Melissa: "Good Heavens, five? I'm sure your parents will replace them."

Kids in Unison: "Our iPods!"

Melissa: "Ok, what else was in the car?" Digging out an old envelope from her purse to write on, she realizes her iPhone is gone too.

***

Me: "J'ai besoin de la police." (I need the police)

Man: "Ah," the man points to another man in a golf cart. "Securite." (Oh, Security.)

This guy is not the Police but the uniformed officers I just saw minutes before when we walked past them on our way to the parking lot have moved on. <Step 2>

Me: "Ma voiture est allé." (My car is gone.)

Security Officer: "Pardon?" (No translation needed. But add more Pepe Le Pew)

Me: "Ma voiture a été...comment dites-vous...Stolen! (My car has been...how do you say...Stolen!)

Security Officer: "Ah...your car?"

Me: "C'est une 2012 White Toyota RAV 4 avec Texas Plates."

Security Officer: "Ah...White Toyota? All-wheel Drive?" (more French accent)

Me: "Oui, j'ai besoin de la police. Aurez-vous les appeler?" (Yes, I need the Police. Will you call them?)

Security Officer: "Oui, bien sûr. Où avez-vous garez?" (Yes, of course. Where did you park?)

Me: "Huh? Je parle un peu français." ( I speak a little French.)

Security Officer: "Pardon, you speak well. Did you study aboard?"

Me: "No, j'étudié le français au Texas. Où sont la Police?" (No, I studied French in Texas. Where are the police?)

Security Officer: "D'accord, Oui, show me where you left your car?" (OK, Yes, show...)

The wind whips through my hair as the security officer drives as fast as his golf cart will allow back to the scene of the crime. The sense of denial has vanished--my SUV and its contents are gone; I will not make it back to my hotel room anytime soon. 

I hold onto the roof of the golf cart as the security officer rounds the last corner on our way to the location of the alleged grand theft auto. As we arrive on the scene four faces look into mine, hoping that I have found our SUV and we will be on our way shortly.

I look at Melissa and shake my head in the tiniest of shakes that only a friend of 30 years understands. As I open my mouth to break the news--I hope for the best, but prepare for the worst, just as Rick Perry--the Texas Governor used to us before every big hurricane. I just don't know if the kids are going to lose it. This is their first international crime experience while on vacation.

Me: "Hey, guys, it looks like our car got stolen."

Son #1: "Yea, we thought so."

Daughter: "Melissa told us."

Me: "Hum, Ok thanks for being so cool about this." I tell myself a Good Job Mom, I raising some well-adjusted kids.

I turn to the security officer, who has been inspecting the crime scene.

Security Officer: "So where did you last see your car?"

Me: "Right here, next to the Toyota Sienna--it's still here." I point to the minivan for added effect.

Security Officer: "Yes, it appears your car is gone. I will call the police and check the security cameras." (the French accent is really pissing me off now. It seems I have been asking for this for 10 minutes.)

Me: "Ok, and what should we do?"

Security Officer: "Ah, yes, stay here. The police will be here shortly. Make a list of the missing contents."

The security officer walks back to his souped-up, turbo-charged golf cart and flicks gravel up in our faces as he speeds away. (Think Inspector Gadget)

Me: "OK kids, thanks for taking this so well."

Son #2: "It's OK, Mom, it's just a car. Melissa said you would buy us new iPods."

Me: "OK, it might be a while."

The carful of kids sit down on the only thing we have left from our SUV--the black, soft-sided carrier that holds all our sleeping bags. We use it as a bean bag chair in the middle of a random parking lot in Montreal 2,000 miles from home. We itemize our lost contents. The sun sets.

***

As the golf cart screeches to a stop, we all stand up.

Security Officer: "The police shall be here shortly. It's a busy night, it's Canada Day--lots of people."

Me: "Yes, there are a lot of people walking around. I thought that would've prevented my car from being stolen." (testy tone, it's been a long day.)

Security Officer: "Yes..." He looks away.

Me: Is he in on this? I think to myself. Or is it the statuesque blonde at the entrance booth selling parking. 

The Montreal Police car drives up with lights on but no siren. I hear Melissa humming The Pink Panther theme song. The officers get out and introduce themselves. 

Police Officer #1: "You reported a stolen car?" (Would they quit with the accent.)

Security Officer: "Yes, a white Toyota RAV4, with all-wheel drive."

Police Officer #2: "Ahhh." He nods.

All men give each other knowing looks and speak to each other in French so fast I can't translate.

Police Officer #1: "Does someone else have keys?"

Me: "Yes, my husband."

Police Officer #2: "Ah, yes. He took the car?" Ready to solve the crime, be the hero.

Me: "No, he's in Texas." Sorry Frenchie, I'm a Texan if it was that easy to solve, I would have done it myself. I squint as I keep that comment to myself.

Police Officer #1: "Oh. Did you lock the car?"

Me: "Yes, I locked the car. I tested the doors. I looked around to see if anyone looked suspicious. I felt safe and thought my car would surely be here when we were finished sight-seeing." Really...<Step 3>

The police officers and the security guard look at each other. Police Officer #1 grabs his report book out of his back pocket and opens it.

Police Officer #1: "Your name?"

I give the police officer all my information.

Police Officer #1: "Do you have anyway to identify your car?"

Me: "Like the VIN number? Do you want the VIN number?"

Police Officer #1: "Yes, do you have that?"

Me: "Yes, my husband texted it to me, from Texas."

As if on cue, my phone dies as the officer writes down the last digit of my VIN number.

Police Officer #2: "I see you have an iPhone. Is it a 4?"

Me: "No, it's a 5S."

Police Officer #2: "Nice."

Me: "Do you have a charger?" (I might have adopted the French accent and could have been asking for a cigarette or charger.)

Police Officer #2: "No."

Police Officer #1: "What was stolen besides the SUV?"

POP! Bang. The fireworks start. We stop for a moment to enjoy them.

Police Officer #1 to Security Guard: "They are nice this year, no?"

Security Guard: "Yes, very nice."

Me: "Ok." Interrupting. "I have a MacBook, 2 ipads, one with the retina display, 2 iPods--32 gig, 2 iPhones 5s, my Canon 60D camera with upgraded lens and external flash, 6 audio books, 2 pieces of luggage with contents and a box of camping equipment." The police officer stops me, having a hard time writing everything down.

Police Officer #1: "Nice stuff, you do well in Texas."

Me: "You wrote down Canon camera, I need the model number attached for my insurance." I tell the Police Officer, who adds it begrudgingly.

Police Officer #2: "Do you have the Find Your iPad app?"

Me: "Yes, but my phone is dead."

Police Officer #2: "You can use mine, they might still have your iPad on."

Me: "OK."

I sign into it but I get the offline message.

POW. Raining Sparkles--my favorite. I look up to enjoy the show.

Kids: "Oooo, Ahhh."

Me: "Did you really think they would have left the devices still on?" I say to Police Officer #2.

Police Officer #1 interrupts: "They were professionals, see." Calling our attention back to the parking spot where are RAV4 was parked just hours before.

We walk over to the alleged parking spot and look on the ground. We see tiny bits of metal, like shrapnel.

Police Officer #1: "They drilled out your lock. See? They are good."

Police Officer #1: "Your passports, do you still have them?"

Melissa: "Yes, I found them on the ground."

Police Officer #1: "They were nice, they left your passports."

Me: "I would've appreciated it if they'd left my car."

A couple of shrugs and a lip curl from the men. I sigh.

Police Officer #1: "I think we have enough. Can you sign this report and I will give you a case number."

I dig through my purse for my favorite 4-color pen, in the girly colors of pink, lime, turquoise and purple. I ignore the police officer's offer of his blue Bic. I find it at the bottom, pull it out.

Me: "It's French." As I look down at my pen.

The police officer shrugs and puts his pen back in his shirt pocket.

Me: "And my car? Leads?"

Police Officer #2: "Oh, it's gone. Probably on a ship down the St. Lawrence already."

Me: "What?"

Police Officer #2: "Yes, they are loaded into a container and put into a cargo ship within a few minutes."

Me: "Where's it's going?"

Police Officer #2: "Africa, probably. They like the white Toyota SUVs with all-wheel drive. Rugged, you know."

Me: "So...?"

Police Officer #1: "Bonne Chance. Little chance of recovery." (Good Luck) He shuts his report book and slides it into his back pocket.

Security Officer: "I have the tape pulled if you would like to come to my office?"

Police Officer #1: "Oui, Bien Sûr..." (Yes, of course.) Fast, French talking ensues.

Me: "And me and my three, tired kids? Can you give us a lift?"

Police Officer #2: "No, sorry. Too many people. A cab will get you back to your hotel."

Security Officer: "Yes, I will call a cab. But it will be awhile. There are a lot of people down here. Canada Day, you know."

Siiiing. Flash. BANG.

I walk back to the black roof carrier, sit down and watch the last of the fireworks with the kids. I consider renaming us the Carless...with Kids.

The fireworks end. People see us. They ask questions. They all seem to know about the car thefts. Some elude to organized crime. Russians, maybe. Son #1 wants to know all we know about hot-wiring. Son #2 falls asleep. I breathe heavy and long for my hotel room bed.

When the majority of the cars have left; the security guard screeches through his empty lot to inform us, he has secured us a cab. He seems to be amazed by our good luck or impressed by his skill at hailing cabs. I would have been happy if he had done the one thing he is paid to do--KEEP THE CARS FROM GETTING STOLEN. But maybe this is his job security.

When the cab arrives, the cabbie offers us a discounted rate to take us over a bridge I've never heard of and back to our hotel but only if I agree on his price before we leave. I kindly tell him Merci but I use to live in NYC and the meter would be fine.

Me: "Et prendre le pont du Jacques-Cartier sur le Boulevard Taschereau, s'il vous plait." (And take the Jacques Cartier Bridge to the Taschereau Boulevard, please." In my best French that I can muster.

Cabbie: "Oui, Madame."

We load the black carrier into the trunk and climb into the cab. Melissa sits in the front seat with the cabbie. I sit with the kids in the back. The traffic has thinned out. The winds whips through the rolled down windows blowing my hair into my eyes. All the kids fall asleep. I look out the window and mumble.

"Montreal, you may have taken my car but you will not take my spirit." (If I had had a cigarette, I would have lit it.)

I slide the card into the lock and push open the door. The kids flop on the bed while Melissa pushes in the valet cart with the black roof carrier. We heave it into a corner of the room like a dead body.

I plug in my phone and wait for a minute. Sure enough, it starts to beep and vibrate. I look at Melissa.

Me: "Well should I call him?"

Melissa: "You have to."

I dial his number and my husband answers.

Me: "We are back. We are tired. I want this day to end. And by the way, your passport that you thought you would forget so you sent it with me. Well, it got stolen."

And that is how you get a car stolen abroad in three easy steps.

Exploring the Montreal Botanical Garden, Insectarium, BioDome and the Old Port of Montreal

He LOVES ice cream

The carful of kids crossed over the Canadian-US border
and explored Parc du Mont-Royal and St. John's Oratory. We will continue to explore Montreal, carful of kids' style, focusing on outdoor activities with a visit to Montreal's Botanical Garden, Insectarium and BioDome--conveniently located together at the original site of the 1976 Summer Olympics.

We have a room across the St. Lawrence River in a suburb of Montreal named Brossard--it has several bonuses. Montreal is an urban area with nice hotels downtown--not the best fit for my active carful of kids. The nicer hotels charge for parking, WiFi and breakfast--all things I like to get for free.

Plant Love!

It's a quick drive to the Espace pour la Vie complex (Space for Life), I look around and realize I'm an oversized vehicle and I can not fit in the garage. Hey moms back home, I'm driving a Toyota RAV4 with a soft-sided roof carrier; I even downsized the SUV for this trip and I still don't fit.

Our first stop is the Insectarium ($19.25/CAN adults, $9.75/CAN kids 5 to 17), where the carful of kids marvel at the humongous bugs of every color, including a display of live carpenter ants. They work day-in and day-out as if every ant has humans staring at it all day. The ants aren't encased within a protective display--instead they have a moat, so close you could touch them (not advised).

Green Man 

After touring the insects, we walk out the door into the Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden) located next to the Insectarium, this is one of the world's best botanical gardens and a great place for families. There is a children's area with great playscapes and snack stands sprinkled throughout.


To the garden-lovers in the SUV, it is nirvana. The Montreal Botanical Garden has 185 acres of cultivated themed gardens, including a Japanese Garden, Alpine Garden, Toxic Plants Garden, Rose Garden, Chinese Garden and the list goes on.

Our lunch, French-Style

The Botanical Garden is so large that we have to break for lunch at the garden cafe. My kids are good eaters thanks to their chef dad--there isn't a kids meal but the sandwiches taste as fabulous as they look.

The carful of kids continue on and discover one amazing garden after another, each one better than the last. Throughout the botanical garden, the roses and tender plants are dug up each fall for protection in their greenhouses due to the harsh winters.

After several hours of exploring the gardens, the carful of kids walk over to the BioDome ($19.25/CAN adults, $9.25/CAN kids 5 to 17); the original 1976 Olympic velodrome. The BioDome (House of Life) opened in 1992 as a collection of four different American eco-systems located indoors.

It is amazing--the carful of kids travel from the tropical rain forest to the Laurentian Maple Forest and the Gulf of St. Lawrence and finally land in the sub-Antarctic Islands. Each exhibit replicates the light, temperature, plants, birds and animals--both land and water. Again the human visitors are minimally separated from the inhabitants.  Kids and adults alike are mesmerized.

After spending the majority of the day at the Espace pour la Vie, the carful of kids load up to explore the Vieux-Port de Montreal (old port of Montreal's historic district). This area is located along the banks of the St. Lawrence River and has been used for transportation and trading since 1611.

Along the St-Lawrence River

The old port area of Montreal is a pedestrian friendly area that has a European-feel without the flight. A great way to introduce your kids to a different culture and language without leaving the continent.

The carful of kids find a parking spot near a street festival in a paid lot and head out to do some people watching. After catching several street performers, we duck into a creperie for crepes, both savory and sweet.

With full tummies, the carful of kids still want to see the famed fireworks that dazzle everyone several nights a week over the skies of Montreal. For it is the host of the Montreal International Fireworks Competition.



Up Next: We say Goodbye to Montreal and hello to Parc du Canada de la Mauricie

Bienvenue au Canada--Welcome to Canada!

The carful of kids are headed to Montreal, Canada, later in the day but first we wrap up Vermont by exploring Burlington. Yesterday, we explored the Waterbury/Stowe area and loved it. Between the fall color and the skiing--I wish we lived closer so we could visit during the different seasons.

The carful of kids walk along the Church Street Marketplace, a four-block pedestrian shopping district.  For the kids there is Ben and Jerry's ice cream to eat and giant boulders to climb and for the adults shopping and sidewalk cafes--they also have festivals year-round.

The carful of kids load up in the SUV and look north to Canada even though we want to stay in Vermont a little longer--maybe another time. This is the kids' first visit outside of the United States and they are excited to get going.

Church Street Marketplace

It takes about an hour to drive to the the Canadian Border from Burlington, Vermont, through the idyllic countryside. But to take your car, kids and contents across the border there are several things that you need to keep in mind.

I pulled together a folder full of documentation for crossing the border, remember that the border agents have the authority to deny entry into Canada if they want to. I am traveling into Canada with my children that are under 18 with only one parent present so I want to have all my documentation accessible to make the process as easy as possible.

The carful of kids got passport cards earlier in the year, there are inexpensive ($40) and good for five years.  Passport cards are good for land and sea travel into Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda.

Items I carry in my travel folder:

• Passports and Passport cards and a copy of Melissa's passport (just in case)
• Notarized letter of consent--see below
• Copies of the kids' birth certificates--I left the originals at home 
• A copy of our itinerary which includes the addresses of hotels and campgrounds plus their reservation numbers.
• A copy of our car insurance. If your state issues a paper car registration add that as well 

The notarized letter of consent:

• A statement from my husband stating he is a legal guardian of our kids with their full names, dates of birth, and passport numbers
• The full names and addresses of the people the kids are traveling with (Melissa and myself) along our passport numbers and dates of birth 
• The dates we are traveling and when we will return
• His contact information
• His signature
• Notary stamp and signature

At home I have left a similar folder with copies of all the information for Dad as well, just in case. 

We say good-bye to the US and approach the Canadian Boarder Officer-- we roll down the windows, pass them our passports and offer them the folder. The agent takes it and looks over the letter of consent and asks the kids a question. They thank me for pulling together the appropriate information and let us through. Yea.

Beaver Lake

Another hour or so to get to Montreal, but this is when I realize my navigator doesn't read or speak French but the driver can speak and read enough to get by. We spell the street names instead, remember French is the official language in the state of Quebec.

Our first stop is Parc du Mont-Royal, named by Jacques Cartier in 1535 for his royal patron, it's in the center of the city and a devoted green space. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, he designed the gardens of the Biltmore Estate, it includes hike and bike trails, sculpture garden, playgrounds, and the popular overlook--Belvedere Kondiaronk, or Mount Royal Chalet.

The view from Mount Royal Chalet

The carful of kids spend the afternoon exploring the park, stop for a picnic dinner and hike to the Chalet. Large city parks are a great place for kids to unwind after sitting in the SUV. 

After several hours exploring Parc du Mont-Royal, we load up and drive over to St. John's Oratory, a Roman Catholic Church that was commissioned in 1904. St. John's has the third largest dome in the world and is a National Historic Site of Canada; it is also another popular site to see the city lights.

The carful of kids climb the stairs to the top and then enjoy a moment to sit and enjoy the view. 

Up next: Another packed day, more to do in Montreal.

Touring Kid-Friendly Vermont

The carful of kids are in Vermont after exploring Niagara Falls yesterday. We are on a mission to eat our way across Vermont in our own kid-approved farm tour.

After a long trek across Upstate New York (over 350 miles), we settled into our room late, last night at the Best Western Inn and Suites in Rutland/Killington. If you are in the area, they have suites with equipped kitchens, great for families.

Hammond Covered Bridge, 1843

The carful of kids are still 75 miles from Waterbury, Vermont, but we want to check out some Covered Bridges in Pittsford; there are four west of the town. The bridges are enclosed with walls and a roof to protect the timber-trussing from the weather. They are quintessentially quaint and easy-to-find.

Cooley Covered Bridge, 1849

The next on our list is Shelburne Farms, 1400-acre working farm, seven miles south of Burlington, Vermont; they have an excellent kids' program ($8/adults, $5/kids, 3 to 17) focused on sustainability. They are open year-round  (9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) and they feature an inn and restaurant along with the farm tours.

The carful of kids head to the Children's Farmyard (open mid-May to mid-October) to milk a Brown Swiss diary cow and walk around in the chicken coop--there are goats and kids, sheep and lambs, pigs and piglets, rabbits, turkeys, miniature donkeys and horses. All the animals in the Children's Farmyard are docile and used to kids petting them; there are several informative displays explaining the basic principles of agriculture as well.

Shelburne Farms has a farm store to buy their farm-made products--we grab some fresh baked bread and farmhouse cheddar to make turkey sandwiches. There is a Farm Cart open seasonally for prepared lunches and if you forgot dessert, there is a bakery on site as well.

Shelburne Farms is a great introduction to local, sustainable agriculture, make it your first stop. The carful of kids head to Cold Hollow Cider Mill (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.--free) to see how cider is made. The original owners started pressing apples in 1974, you can get their cider by the gallon plus their cider donuts.

The carful of kids love cheese so we stop by Cabot Annex Store (open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.) for samples and load up. You can find Lake Champlain Chocolates and Danforth Pewter retail locations as well; all the businesses have factory tours nearby.

We have waited all day for dessert so we are headed to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Scooping since 1978, they have factory tours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., $4/adults, kids 12 and under free) and don't forget to visit the flavor graveyard.

The last stop of the day is Trapp Family Lodge, a resort that the von Trapp family started after they immigrated to the US. A great stop for fans of The Sound of Music.

There is a lot more to do in the Waterbury/Stowe area of Vermont and the carful of kids would love to stay a few more days but we have to move on.

Next Stop: Burlington and Montreal, Canada.

Niagara Falls State Park and the Maid of the Mist

The carful of kids are in Niagara Falls, New York, to explore one of the top waterfalls in the world. The first activity on everyone's list is a ride on the legendary Maid of the Mist.

The Maid of the Mist's maiden voyage was in 1846 to ferry passengers, parcels and mail across the Niagara River between Canada and the US. Today close to two million passengers don the blue ponchos to get an up-close look at the three falls that make up Niagara Falls.

The carful of kids are here early for the Maid of the Mist ($17 adults, $9.90 kids 6 to 12) does not take reservations but you can order your tickets online. The first trip of the day is at 9:15 a.m. and the carful of kids hop right on board, no waiting.

We put on our blue ponchos and jockey for a spot on the railing to feel the power and the mist of the falls.  The carful of kids are not disappointed--the Maid of the Mist lurches and growls against the power of 750,000 gallons of water per second that fall over the three falls, remember 20% of the US's drinking water passes through here.

You will get wet, but don't miss it. The ride is quick and before you know it the carful of kids are docking but you can explore the falls on foot.

Follow the slippery stairs up for some great photo opportunities, including a rainbow. The carful of kids ride the elevator up from the dock to the observation deck for more pictures.

The Maid of the Mist has a complex of activities, including a theater, aquarium, discovery center and the Cave of the Wind; it is located adjacent to the Niagara Falls State Park. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it.

The carful of kids watch Niagara: Legends of Adventure in the theater. This along with the displays explain the history of the falls and its use in generating electricity for the East Coast.

If you are here later in the day, be sure check out the falls at night; they are lit in a rainbow of color every night until 11 pm. The carful of kids spend the morning exploring Niagara Falls but are anxious to get to our final destination of the day--Rutland, Vermont.

On our way to Vermont, the carful of kids make a stop at the Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York. Within this building, the National Park Service tells the story of Women's Rights Movement that started in this area in 1848.

With another Junior Ranger Badge on our caps, the carful of kids continue onto Vermont.

Up next: Vermont.

Hershey's Chocolate World and Niagara Falls at Night

The carful of kids spent yesterday in Virginia at Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and Shenandoah National Park. After a packed day, I loaded the kids into the SUV and drove 260 miles (approximately four hours) to Hershey, Pennsylvania, so we could visit Hershey's Chocolate World, first thing in the morning.

Hershey's Chocolate World has been on my list of places to visit since I lived in New York City fifteen years ago. The carful of kids hit the parking lot at this popular attraction early--specifically when they open (9 am) for there are several attractions in this complex.  Hershey's Chocolate World is the Hershey's Factory Tour and huge gift shop but there is the amusement park, HersheyPark with a water park The Boardwalk as well.

The town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, is a chocoholic headquarters and has enough attractions for a long weekend. The carful of kids start at chocolate central, Hershey's Chocolate World--the tour itself is free and this includes an amusement ride-type tour of the chocolate making process. It's entertaining for the carful of kids; we grab some chocolate to nibble on later in the SUV before we leave. We don't have enough time for a visit to the amusement park but we do drive across the street to the Hershey Gardens.

Hershey Gardens, a 23-acre botanical garden that opened in 1937 as a rose garden, is a great place to visit with a carful of kids. There is plenty of space for them to run around and the garden-lovers, Melissa and myself, look for inspiration. Hershey Gardens incorporates their chocolate heritage into their landscaping as well.

After a few hours exploring Hershey, Pennsylvania, the carful of kids are antsy to see the next attraction--Niagara Falls near Buffalo, New York. Back in the SUV, we head north 320 miles so we can have wings for dinner. A little over five hours later, we arrive in Buffalo at the Anchor Bar--home of the original buffalo wings where they have been frying them up since 1964.

After gorging ourselves on wings, the carful of kids want to see Niagara Falls at night. If you are visiting Niagara Falls, make the effort to see it at night. The falls are completely lit (until 11 pm most nights) along with the Niagara River that feeds the falls. You can even ride on the legendary Maid of the Mist (open from May until October) until 8 pm.

Up next: Touring the Niagara Falls State Park with a ride on the Maid of the Mist.