Canada Jane

A trip to Rochester, New York

We decided rather suddenly to take a few days off and visit the good old US of A. We wanted to go somewhere for a couple of days only, so did not want to travel too far. After considering various options we decided on Rochester as we had never been there before and it seemed to have some good shopping options and was almost exactly opposite Belleville across Lake Ontario.

We left on Thursday morning and although the sky was overcast it looked as if it would be okay. We took the border crossing at 1000 Islands as it is always quiet there and sure enough we were the only ones waiting. We had to go to the office to get a visa waiver etc but after 15 minutes and a very nice border guard we were on our way.

The interstate was very quiet and the journey uneventful. We had to pick up a toll ticket on the I90 and half way along this road it started to rain, then it really rained heavily. We exited the toll road at Rochester and paid our $3.60 then found the hotel (Residence Inn) with the help of our very good GPS.

We checked in at around 2.30pm and were given a king suite in the tower section. This is at the rear of the hotel away from the traffic of the main road. The suite was nice and was like a small apartment. Here are some pics.

Kitchen area

Seating area

Bedroom

It also had a bathroom with bath, shower and toilet and a separate vanity area with closet.

Bathroom

Vanity

After getting unpacked and having a hot drink we lazed around for a while then decided we were hungry and so went out for an early meal. We saw there was an Applebee’s nearby so went there. We had a very nice meal and then went back to the hotel. We were going to have a drive round but it was really pouring with rain so we decided not to bother and start the tour of the area on Friday instead when better weather was promised.

On Friday we got up and had our complimentary breakfast which was okay. We wanted to do some clothes shopping and had found a number of malls in Rochester to visit. In all there were four in the city so we thought we would do two Friday and two on Saturday. We went to the first – Mall at Greece Ridge Center and found it to be quite large with all the usual shops. By now the weather was really nice and it was very sunny and in the early teens temp wise. The mall had a glass roof which made the sun very bright and the mall very warm. After about an hour we decided to leave and visit another mall. This time we went to the Marketplace Mall. This was smaller but still a good mall. However we spent only a hour or so there and was ready to leave. We then decided to visit one of the malls we were going to save till Saturday, the Eastview Mall. This was a nice mall, very well laid out and bright without the glaring sun and heat. Again though, we had completed the mall in a couple of hours, so decided to make a day of it and go to the fourth mall. This was Pittsford Plaza which was described as a affluent mall in a affluent area. Well we were disappointed in this one. It was an outdoor mall, which because of the great weather was not a problem, but there really wasn’t much there. We basically walked the length and were done.

So, we had a very full day of malls and were “all malled out” by the end of it. We ate at TGI Fridays which although my food was fine, hubby was not impressed with his. We also felt very rushed by the server who was asking us if we wanted dessert whilst we were still eating out main course – we said we weren’t sure yet – and then bought our bill a minute later. We decided that if we wanted dessert we would get it elsewhere and left.

On Saturday we decided that as we had done all the malls in Rochester and bought very little we would drive across to Buffalo. Again we had never been there so a new experience again. It isn’t far from Rochester, about an hour and a very easy drive. We went to the Walden Galleria Mall which was huge. This was by far the best mall we had been to and we can recommend it. We actually managed to spend several hours here and bought quite a few bits and pieces. After this mall we decided to go to the designer outlet mall we had read about in Niagara Falls.

Niagara Falls, NY is only a short drive from Buffalo and we found the mall easily. This is a very large indoor designer outlet mall and we again managed to spend quite a long time here and also managed to spend some money. We ate at Applebee’s as it was the only eatery at the mall and we were starving.

After this we made our way back to the hotel and stayed in for the night.

On Sunday we packed up, had breakfast and left the hotel. On the way back we stopped off at another outlet mall but this one turned out to be an outdoor mall and it was raining, so we didn’t stop. Instead we drove to Syracuse and spent a few hours at the Carousel Mall which we had visited before. Spend a few more dollars and then drive back to the border, in the rain. Crossed the border quickly and easily and got back home to lots of unpacking.

Back the the day to day stuff now – and lots of washing and ironing!

It pays to shop around

Our washer has been slowly dying over the last few months but I have been putting off replacing it. But when I got my latest edition of Consumer Reports about washers it spurred me into action. After a lot of research I decided on the washer I wanted and started to look around for the best price. I was a little shocked to find that it retailed at $1,150 – rather more than I anticipated spending – well a lot more actually!

Anyway I searched and searched and put it off a while longer when suddenly Sears decided to put it on sale at $1,050 – a $100 saving – excellent. However I still looked around and then found that Future Shop had it for $799 – a whopping saving. We went into FS and asked about the machine and was told that they did not have any in stock anywhere in the country, but had a lot of other washers…. It seems that the price may be just a ploy to get you into the shop and buy something else – FS are famous for their creative advertising!

Not to be outdone I then saw the washer in Lowes for $998 and asked if they price match. “Yes” the guy said gleefully until I showed him the print off of the FS price and his face fell. “That’s a lot less, I will have to get my boss’s approval.” Off he went. I wasn’t too bothered as I know other shops price match so if they didn’t I would go to Sears.He came back and said yes they would price match and could deliver it tomorrow. This was Sunday and I chose to have it delivered on Tuesday which was okay by them.

So, yesterday my new washer arrived. I had to go out to a meeting so left hubby to deal with the boring stuff like installing it etc. When I got home my gleaming new washer was all set up and waiting to go. Well, I have never been so excited to do a load of washing – how sad! It has lots of buttons and lights and rather than buzzing at the end of the cycle it plays a little tune – wow!

The washing came out great and you can amuse yourself if nothing is on TV as it has a clear top so you can watch it wash. I hasten to add I did not do this – well not for too long anyway!

This is my new washer the Whirlpool WTW6700W, but mine is while not stainless. I could not justify spending an extra $50 on stainless when it sits in a laundry cupboard.

I have to add that Lowes delivery notification perhaps goes a little too far. The night before delivery we received an automated message, that I nearly put the phone down on thinking it was a spam call stating the washer would be delivered tomorrow. Then five minutes later a human rang to say exactly the same thing. In the morning we received a call to say the delivery would be today. Then the delivery man called to ask for directions. Then another call from a woman stating the washer would be with us in 20-40 minutes. Slight overkill!