This isn't going to help the Sabres

[French Collection]

2 hours ago, Pimlach said:

The drop in crossings is real, but your projection that the agents are doing egregious things and making people not want to cross is not a real factor.  Asking questions is their job.  Even the blog/article that you posted and the many comments to that article say that.  Certainly they might ask more questions today than they did in 1975 or even 2005, the world is a different place. 

Crossing are down because of these tangible reasons: 

1.  Trump's rhetoric on annexing the 51 state - this understandable by most normal people.  Canadian pride is strong.  

2.  Tariffs - the tariffs on Canada will hurt jobs and an already bad economy.   This would be reason #1 if not for Trumps foolish comments, which piss off Canadians more than the tariff itself.  

3.  The exchange rate - Why would someone cross a boarder to buy goods and services with today's exchange rate?  T The rate is $0.73 cents as I type.  Canadian snowbirds are leaving Florida in droves, they were before the tariffs, and they still are now.  Vacationing and paying a 27% premium on everything is not for everyone.   This is math. 

I cross that boarder several times a year and I do not have NY or Ontario plates. I had a passport that looked like a stamp collection.  I get asked questions on both sides of the boarder - this is just not a problem for a normal and well adjusted individual. 

I am not opposed to crossing the border for work or entertainment. My reasons not to are rooted in your points 1 & 2. I also do not  want to spend my money on TP’s Sabres until they show real improvement with a competent FO and smartly spend to the upper end of the cap.

My last border crossing was a bit uncomfortable due to the questioning. My passport has multiple work visas in a calendar year because of my work during power emergencies. I have been up and down the eastern seaboard for hurricanes, ice and snow storms multiple times in the last few years. I believe the border agent was just curious but kept asking me why I had so many visas and what they cost. I had no idea of the cost since National Grid, Eversource, Duke Energy and other utilities pay for us. The visas are issued for a year but we only work for days and maybe a few weeks max. The agent couldn’t get why I didn’t know the cost, didn’t have receipts for the visas and why I didn’t stay longer when I had a year to do so.

[Crusader1969]

As a Canadian, I’d be pretty nervous about border patrol checking my phone—mostly because they’d discover that I’m still a die-hard Sabres fan after all these years, and probably question my sanity. 😂

 

A few years ago, I actually decided not to spend another penny on the Sabres until they prove they’re no longer a Mickey Mouse franchise.

 

As for crossing the border, my son and I are also Pirates fans (yes, we cheer for both the Sabres and the Pirates 🤦‍♂️). We thought about catching a game or two this year, but coordinating the trip would’ve been a headache. Add in the possibility of hassles at the border, and we figured it just wasn’t worth it. 

 

[JohnC]

4 minutes ago, Crusader1969 said:

As a Canadian, I’d be pretty nervous about border patrol checking my phone—mostly because they’d discover that I’m still a die-hard Sabres fan after all these years, and probably question my sanity. 😂

 

A few years ago, I actually decided not to spend another penny on the Sabres until they prove they’re no longer a Mickey Mouse franchise.

 

As for crossing the border, my son and I are also Pirates fans (yes, we cheer for both the Sabres and the Pirates 🤦‍♂️). We thought about catching a game or two this year, but coordinating the trip would’ve been a headache. Add in the possibility of hassles at the border, and we figured it just wasn’t worth it. 

 

As fans of both the Sabres and Pirates it is apparent that you have masochistic tendencies. 😀 Or maybe you are just frugal and seek cheap tickets in an arena and stadium where you have plenty of room to stretch out because the seats around you are vacant? 

[Sabres73]

The lead story on the CBC website right now is "Canadians caught in crossfire as U.S. customs searches of electronic devices rise at borders".

 

[Crusader1969]

On 8/28/2025 at 1:53 PM, JohnC said:

As fans of both the Sabres and Pirates it is apparent that you have masochistic tendencies. 😀 Or maybe you are just frugal and seek cheap tickets in an arena and stadium where you have plenty of room to stretch out because the seats around you are vacant? 

The only good news i can think of is that I'm 55 now , so death isn't too far away.     😂😂😂

[JoeSchmoe]

On 8/28/2025 at 12:10 AM, clink said:

Water shoes, absolutely!!! Even if it's been a relatively dry summer, there are likely a few spots that are unavoidable and mid-calf deep. 

Mind you, it's been a few years since I've been down that way, and the state has been "improving" the trail, so it might be traverseable with sneakers? There is a dirt path which runs on either side of the stream, but where's the fun in that? 😁

Just outside of Naples is the lesser known (not as many humans to spoil the nature setting) trail, Clark's Gully. 

A bit more of an advanced hike vs Grime's, and not as much stream, but it's just as pretty IMO 

I'd imagine those hotel rates will start to dip in the coming weeks? There are numerous B&B's in the city (I live here, and the "city" designation is laughable, as there can't be more than 20k residents in the city of Canandaigua), and they're in the historic district (gorgeous homes). 

I bet there are a few stunners to be found along the lake, if you search the Air B 'n B app? 

Pittsford is a pretty town, but I'm a country boy so Monroe County is a "no" for moi 😁

My wife and I had a great day. We started in East Aurora and checked out the old 5 and 10. East Aurora is a nice town and we'll be back again soon.

Then we took the scenic drive on Rt 20A and eventually down the 390 towards Naples. Grimes Glen was even better than expected. Though my wife thought I looked like a goof with my water boots (I have them for cold weather canoe camping), I was able to wade in and steady her across the tricky areas which saved her from getting multiple soakers.

Inspire Moore was very good. It felt much informal compared to the wineries from our area. I tried some wine varieties we don't grow in the Niagara area... I think they were Austrian in origin. We got to chat with one of the owners which was fun. Unfortunately it was a bit chilly for sitting outside because the view was awesome. If I'm being honest, I've generally preferred Niagara wine to Finger Lakes wine (from my limited experience), but Inspire Moore was as good as anything I've had back home.

We grabbed an appetizer at the BBQ and Pizza place in town. I wouldn't recommend it. Later we grabbed crepes on the main drag in Canandaigua, and I'd recommend that.