Border Crossings

I refer to crossing over to Wisconsin. Much as we are alike near the border, there have long been reasons to cross, benefits to gain.

Back in high school, it was common when on a date and "going for a drive" - as opposed to "parking" - for the guys to drive across the border from St. Paul to fill up their tanks. Not only was it scenic enough that the boys hoped it would turn out to be romantic, but at the time there was a gas war going on, and prices were often around the $.33/gallon rate. I had no clue what prices were on this side, not being a driver at the time, but I knew these were much cheaper. And often going for a ride was much preferable to parking anyway.

I understand that property taxes push some folks across the border to live, while commuting to work back on our side. I wonder, however, how much of that is made up in the cost of gas for the commute. This time, however, they fill up their tanks over here during their commute, because their gas tax keeps their prices higher. Do the high school kids drive their dates across this way too these days?

For a long time there was also a difference in legal drinking age, with Wisconsin allowing 18-year-olds to drink, and Minnesota requiring one to be 21 first. College fraternity formals often were held across the border, including the one I went to with Paul before we were engaged. I do remember little about the formal, but more about the hangover the next day, spoiling what should have been a perfectly wonderful hike through Interstate Park.

These days there is another reason to cross the border, and I'm told anecdotally that Wisconsinites are quite happy not only about us doing it, but how many of us are. I refer to buying lottery tickets. With the state shutdown, those who still want to play and are near the border just jump across to the nearest convenience store and stock up. As a matter of fact, I happened to have a run across the border this morning....