the first plane to 'fly around the world' ....
that was like in the 30's.

the first 'non-stop, non-refueled' around the world flight ..yes, Burt's
creation.

now we're on the verge of "Around the world on purely solar/electric
power' ..with stops.

And the current break in this around-the-world flight will be for
months. The plane is grounded in Honolulu due to batteries getting
overheated flying to Hawaii from Asia ..
that was a record flight for...... .I think..single pilot duration, some
117 hours or so.
and distance for non-fossil fuel.

Hybrid Vanagons are just around the corner ..
Someone will put a Vanagon body onto a Tesla ...AWD with some 692 hp
total .

On 7/22/2015 4:33 AM, John Rodgers wrote:
> I have flown back and forth acroos US and Canadian borders in small planes
> many times. always a cordial interview with customs, a few questions, a
> cursory look into the airplane cockpit and I was on my way. Sometimes
> getting across the Canadian border back into Alaska was problematic, mostly
> because of the time it took. US Customs at the TOK airport was a little
> slow, mostly because there were oter things they has to as well as customs
> work, but there ws never any real problems.
>
> Dick Rutan, brother to BURT RUTAN, designer of the first plane to fly
> around the world, flew one of their planes from down in the states (can't
> remember where he started - mid-west somewhere) across Canada into ALASKA
> nonstop all the way to ANCHORAGE.. Customs was really upset on both sides
> of the border for a while, but since he didn't land in Canada there was no
> rule that he had to clear with customs. Eventually the argument went
> silent. There are probably rules about that now. Dick and Burt changed the
> fuel tank out in that plane, and then Dick flew it non-stop from ANCHORAGE
> to BERMUDA. The final goal was the VIRGIN ISLANDS if he could make it but I
> don't remember if he got there or not. He DID make it as far as BERMUDA,
> however.
>
> John
> On Jul 22, 2015 1:44 AM, "Mark Tuovinen" <aksyncronaut@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> The only time we were ever searched was entering Canada from Idaho, I
>> figured it had to do with a guy with a ponytail driving a VW van and even
>> then they only did a half hearted job, went through our luggage but did not
>> even attempt to search the van.  Its a different world on the Border
>> between Alaska and Canada, not much smuggling going on there which makes
>> for more relaxed crossing.  We have never been searched there in either
>> direction or asked about food items, sometimes alcohol though often they
>> don't mention it either.  We are always asked about weapons, Alaskans and
>> their guns you know,  but don't usually have any, they don't want you to
>> bring bear spray unless you are backpacking the Chilkoot Trail, etc, then
>> its ok.  Unlike other travelers Alaskans with pets don't have to provide
>> proof of the animals health this is due to the fact that to get to or from
>> some parts of the state to others we have to go through Canada.
>>
>> The biggest question crossing the Border is which guard do you get the one
>> that follows the letter of the law and has the time to ask and search or
>> the one that asks the basics and makes a judgment call, plan for the first
>> one and you are ok.  Each one will find something different to challenge
>> you on, last time through I crossed six times going from Anchorage to
>> Skagway and back, four by road, once hiking the Chilkoot Trail, and once on
>> the train back to Skagway.  A Border Guard at Beaver Creek entering Canada
>> questioned me regarding my stepdaughter Julia whom was traveling with me,
>> our names are different but she was 18 and he had her passport showing that
>> in his hand.  He said nothing about Brandon a friends 14yr old son whom was
>> with us and did not ask for documents proving I had permission to take a
>> unrelated minor out of the USA.  A few hundred miles later entering back
>> into Alaska on our way to Skagway the US guard said nothing about Julia but
>> did about Brandon.  In Skagway you get your Chilkoot Trail pass and they
>> check ID there but once on the trail the Rangers never checked us and on
>> the train that takes you from Lake Bennett back to Skagway they stopped us
>> short of town walked through the cars and had us hold our passports up and
>> open so they could match the photos but that was all.  Crossing back into
>> Canada at Fraser on our way home the Canadian guards took Julia into their
>> office and grilled her about me and how we were all related but probably
>> got tired of the story as knowing her she started at the beginning when her
>> grandparents met Brandon's grandparents back in the early 60's or how her
>> mom, my wife, was my sisters roommate in college about 1980.  The final
>> crossing at Beaver Creek back into the US was our typical there," where are
>> you headed?", "home", and away we went.
>>
>> Mark in AK  - wishing I was on a road trip!
>>
>> On Tue, Jul 21, 2015 at 7:44 AM, bernie <1234bjs@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> A friend  from Vancouver was recently fined
>>> 200 dollars at US border because she had some foods in her westy that she
>>> was not aware were not allowed. I bring nothing across to US but some
>>> tinned food and oatmeal. It's your responsibility to know what you have
>> on
>>> board.
>>> They are becoming more sticky in this regards and very intolerant of
>> people
>>> "forgetting" what they have aboard. The link below addresses what you can
>>> bring into Canada. I have never been asked about my prescription meds but
>>> they are in original container. In general coming into Canada is less
>>> restrictive in the food area than returning to the US. Presently Canada
>>> doesn't want uncooked chicken because of bird flu. See the list below.
>>> Coming back to US if agent asks about food  indicate that you
>>> have no meat no fruit and no vegetables (Make very sure you do not!!!)
>>> Stating that right off the bat is big positive in their view. In one
>>> statement you are showing
>>> you know what you have on board and you don't have
>>> any restricted foods. There is little reason to bring food
>>> back from Canada anyway as it cheaper in the US.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-for-consumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada-/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990