Canton vs Potsdam NY for a single person? (Buffalo, Rochester: schools, living in)

[JiminCT]

long term decline of industy and agribiz in the North Country. Most of the farms that do well up there are supplying milk to Kraft, McAdam or other cheese companies (theres a kosher one in Ogdensburg). Otherwise most of these towns have had a depopulation and out migration, Some places had a little factory that was the centerpiece (like Evans Mills or Malone), but most of that is gone The future of Northern NY will probably be in renewable energy, tourism, and dairy. And of course the prisons and military...

The 1000 Islands region has a robust real estate market...but that is in large to second home owners from larger areas..and the press of Ft. Drum. Because of the lack of industry up there...the taxes are quite high.

I went to SLU and was always amazed at the dire poverty of some of these towns nearby. The people of the north country are a hearty bunch to stay in a such an area. The summertime is about one of the most beautiful spots in the country tho...

[OH2CA]

I think the country side between Canton and Ogdensburg is nice, and I drove to Tupper Lake yesterday and enjoyed the part between Canton and Colton too, the rolling hills/fields are very scenic.

The drive to Watertown isn't particularly fun though and seems to go on forever (I did that last weekend for a visit to Borders). The 55mph speed limit for some reason encourages more than a few folks to drive 5mph slower ... hmmmpf.

I think I may cross the border here tomorrow for the first time and head to Ottawa and check out the bookstore mentioned above in the thread, and the Ikea.

Both the libaries in Canton are closed Sat/Sun for the duration and I feel a bit claustrophobic. I also need to get a guide (from the library) re the Adirondacks and hikes there.

On Sat/Sun this place feels like a ghost town. However, it seems the students are starting to filter back to town, so it should be a bit livelier.

[OH2CA]

Looks like the "Pinecrest Shopping Centre" has the Ikea and a Chapter's too, so that's where I'll be heading tomorrow most likely.

By the way, anything special re crossing the border with goods from Canada? I don't plan to buy a lot, but do I need to declare/document anything? I'll be using my US issued (amazon :-) ) credit card to pay for things (some books perhaps, and a few things at Ikea possibly).

Just curious how crossing the border is these days with all the post 9/11 security etc.

If I feel like exploring I might head downtown to see it (plus find other book stores and restaurants), but I may save that for another trip.

[JiminCT]

The Ogdensburg-Prescott bridge is alot easier than the Thousand Island or Massena-Cornwall bridge (you can use that one to go to Montreal). Since you are headed to Ottawa..you should have no trouble on the Oberg bridge. The expressway is the 416 running up to Ottawa..which get you a little west of the city near Kanata (about 40 minute drive). The Queensway is a good expressway to jaunt over to downtown and all the amenities. Bank and Elgin street...


Potsdam is a LOT livelier on weekends than Canton. Probably a good time to get your urban oats sowed. Ottawa is a lot more fun now than when I was in school.
Montreal is worth a trip anytime...2 hours makes it even better.

[clynnog]

Originally Posted by OH2CA

Looks like the "Pinecrest Shopping Centre" has the Ikea and a Chapter's too, so that's where I'll be heading tomorrow most likely.

By the way, anything special re crossing the border with goods from Canada? I don't plan to buy a lot, but do I need to declare/document anything? I'll be using my US issued (amazon :-) ) credit card to pay for things (some books perhaps, and a few things at Ikea possibly).

Just curious how crossing the border is these days with all the post 9/11 security etc.

If I feel like exploring I might head downtown to see it (plus find other book stores and restaurants), but I may save that for another trip.

How did the trip to Ottawa go. Were you able to find the Chapters/Ikea and explore downtown?. Any problems coming back at the border?

[OH2CA]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Potsdam is a LOT livelier on weekends than Canton. Probably a good time to get your urban oats sowed. Ottawa is a lot more fun now than when I was in school.
Montreal is worth a trip anytime...2 hours makes it even better.

:-) .. yes, Montreal will definitely get a visit from me.

Thanks for reminding me about Potsdam, I suppose both towns will liven up a bit in a week or two as schools start up.

Right now both the public and U libraries are closed both Sat- & Sundays for instance.

I decided to skip my Canada trip yesterday, but will probably go this coming weekend. My schedule is starting to fill with the coming of school.

It's also starting to get a bit nippy at night here, this morning it was in the 30s, that was quite a quick switch from just 2 weeks ago.

[OH2CA]

Originally Posted by clynnog

How did the trip to Ottawa go. Were you able to find the Chapters/Ikea and explore downtown?. Any problems coming back at the border?

The trip didn't happen ... I had some work to do, and since JiminCT reminded me about Potsdam I decided to stick around, work, and then head up to Potsdam for some coffee at Strawberry Hills (??) and check out the bookstore.

Hmmm .. great plan .. but .. I forgot, it was Sunday, and both places were closed :-(

I'm hoping things won't be closed on Sundays once schools starts up again.

I hope to make it to Chapters/Ikea this coming weekend, probably Sunday.

Oh, and I've taken a liking to the bagels at P&C :-)

[clynnog]

Originally Posted by OH2CA

The trip didn't happen ... I had some work to do, and since JiminCT reminded me about Potsdam I decided to stick around, work, and then head up to Potsdam for some coffee at Strawberry Hills (??) and check out the bookstore.

Hmmm .. great plan .. but .. I forgot, it was Sunday, and both places were closed :-(

I'm hoping things won't be closed on Sundays once schools starts up again.

I hope to make it to Chapters/Ikea this coming weekend, probably Sunday.

Oh, and I've taken a liking to the bagels at P&C :-)

From what I recall when visiting my brother and his wife at SLU, the coffee at the bookstore at SLU is quite nice. It is a lovely bookstore and they can order lots of books as well.

In terms of grocery shopping, he found Canton to be kind of sparse and he would sometimes go to the Your Independent Grocer in Prescott, Ontario. (once you get over the bridge, go on the 401 1 exit westbound and it is on the south side of the Highway (you can't miss it)...

If you head to Chapters/Ikea on Sunday, there is a massive Loblaws supermarket on the south side of Baseline Road, just east of Woodroffe (about 2 -3 km south east of the Chapters/Ikea.

[JiminCT]

Check out The Bagelry in Potsdam. The real deal for those of us from bagel meccas. Of course, when you hit Ottawa or Montreal...you'll get introduced to Montreal bagels. Smaller, dipped in honey water...and put on a board to be baked in a wood burning oven. fantastic stuff. In Montreal...Fairmount or St. Viateur bagels. Ottawa has a few places...forgot the names.

[clynnog]

Originally Posted by JiminCT

Check out The Bagelry in Potsdam. The real deal for those of us from bagel meccas. Of course, when you hit Ottawa or Montreal...you'll get introduced to Montreal bagels. Smaller, dipped in honey water...and put on a board to be baked in a wood burning oven. fantastic stuff. In Montreal...Fairmount or St. Viateur bagels. Ottawa has a few places...forgot the names.

There is a place on the west side of Bank Street about 1.5 km south of the 417 in the Glebe Neighbourhood, just to the south of the Brewers Retail/Beer Store and a good place at the north west corner of Carling/Woodroffe...both of them via a wood burning oven.