Roadtrip SW USA...Snow Canyon Utah

Welcome to the US of A!
I'll never forget arriving in Seattle from Taipei. Most of the passengers looked like they were going to a Chinese Grandmother convention. One of them attempted to carry a half full bottle of water through the TSA checkpoint. The TSA sprang into action and began screaming at her- in English- to put the bottle down. She obviously didn't understand and looked panicked that she was going to the Gulag. Didn't stop our trusty TSA from continuing to scream and call for backup. I've never been so embarrassed to be an American. I suppose you could have been bringing in terrorist grapes or perhaps Granny was trying to take over the country with a half empty bottle of water, but I think they could change their approach to "welcoming" obvious tourists to America!!!!1

an uneaten grape that could not find a bin, could cost $300 and no entry into US! That grape could as well have been harvested in California! Maybe you can have you grape and eat it too as long you mark Yes on that form! And all this in Toronto airport!

Many of our Homeland Security personnel are an embarrasment to our country...
they get a little power and go power mad. I've heard similar stories from other foreigners, including diplomats. I'm glad that the real Americans made up for it.

Sorry to laugh.....
.... at the distress of the airport security but it made me howl with laughter at the inept way in which they deal with something so simple as a bin! Note to self - do not let the mammoth take snacks with him when we head that way!

Assholes abound
I'm never sure why they instruct them to be so evil. It makes no sense. I'm sad this rudeness is the way people start off in this wonderful country. Never resist the call of a good tumbleweed. Glad you enjoyed your explorations. You painted wonderful word pictures and we were right there with you absorbing the colors of the canyons. Beautiful. Never leave the car without the gloves!

The Good ol' US of A
As far as I can remember, the US Border Patrol have treated guests to their country this way. Never quite sure what the point is or what they are trying to prove...I am sorry that you and Denise had to go through that...I do hope the rest of America made you smile!

Wow...
... I'm stunned by they ineptitude of the border controls of USA. Makes me think of all the videos of Law Enforcement gunning down people over there. I wonder if Law Enforcements aren't what's most dangerious in that nation... oh well, good pictures at least!

I am so ashamed that you experienced this. Sadly, those are the type of people who are often attracted to such positions, but to give some hope, I have met the rare, kind TSA officer, I just hope that the latters numbers start increasing. I also think that it is scenarios like you encountered and the very strict visa process that many countries are starting to do reciprocal visas -- a bit of the golden rule. I’m so glad that you also encountered warmer, welcoming souls the rest of your trip and hope to show you some true American hospitality if you ever come our way!

The TSA "Welcome"
Well as you can tell I am catching up on some reading at last. What an unpleasant experience! Mostly I've been ok when travelling to the States, but some of those power-mad officials have nothing better to do than torment tourists. When I travelled back to NZ from the Yucatan in Mexico I thought I would break up my journey with a 3-day stay in San Francisco. I had to fly from Cancun via Houston airport and those horrible people grilled me for ages - "why are you going to San Francisco"? "Why such a short trip? It's a long way to go for 3 days". I offered to show them a map to tell them where NZ was and explain the trip but that didn't seem to go down too well! I'm glad it all ended okay for you both, and the hospitality of the real Americans made up for it!