In an imaginative twist on international travel, residents and adventurers of Michigan can now slip across the border to Canada with the opening of an international ice bridge. As reported by FOX 2 Detroit, the frozen bridge spans 10 miles over Lake Huron, connecting Drummond Island, Michigan, to St. Joseph Island in Ontario, Canada, offering a scenic and icy passage for snowmobiles, fat-tire bikes, and cross-country skiers.
While this international crossway offers a route less taken, the Drummond Island Tourism Association, as noted by MLive, stated that the ice bridge, 16 inches thick, is capable of safely bearing the weight of snowmobiles. As icy as the political relations between nations sometimes become, this cold connection has kept the spirit of neighborly fellowship alive since 1969, interrupted only by the pandemic year of 2020. A solid tradition in parallel to the solid ice, nonetheless, is marked by volunteers who place trees every tenth of a mile, advising travelers to "stay on the tree line, don't veer off, don't travel alone, and always check conditions," as Christina Kolo from the tourism association told FOX 2 Detroit.
US Customs and Border Protection plays a role in this frosty frontier, allowing the use of their CBP ROAM app for self-reporting border-crossing straight from your smartphone. The app comes into play for both travelers pioneering from the United States to Canada as well as those venturing southwards, according to reports by UpNorthLive. While an account setup and a video chat with a CBP officer are part of the entry process for travelers entering the U.S., the Drummond Island Tourism Association recommends getting the app downloaded and ready while connected to WiFi.
Regarding amenities, Hilton Beach on St. Joseph Island and Drummond Island provide dining options to weary travelers, highlighting Tiltn' Hilton and The Northwood Bar & Restaurant, respectively, to slake thirst and sate hunger in the crisp northern air. Up-to-date conditions can be seen via a live webcam for those looking to scope the route in advance, or for loved ones keeping an eye out on their intrepid relatives and friends, as FOX 2 Detroit details.
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