I love shopping in the US!

Yes, it was Duluth.  I go there quite often,probably every 6 weeks or so.  It's only 3.5 hours from Thunder Bay, so it's a nice easy drive.  You can stay anywhere - Canal Park which is at their waterfront, but prices are a more expensive for hotels.  The Holiday Inn downtown has a $59.00 Canadian Shoppers Special, but you have to book it in advance as they have only a limited number of rooms.  Also, the Fairfield Inn is very nice, reasonable rates.  Days Inn, even the Econolodge is fine.  There's also a Marriott Residence Inn - these are all in the Miller Hill Mall area where all the shopping is (Holiday Inn is downtown).  The hotels in Proctor are on the other side of Duluth.  Another good choice is Black Bear Casino - rooms there are usually around $60-it's about 20 minutes past Duluth, but in reality, what's a 20 minute drive!  You can also get rooms on Hotwire - Sheraton downtown (3.5*), the Fairfield (2.5*) comes up often.  Duluth is my little getaway - I can get some serious retail therapy in, some grocery shopping, a nice dinner (there's an Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Outback Steakhouse, and a plethora of others).  I feel somewhat rejuvenated after even a one-nighter there.

Thanks!

I'll have to make plans for the summer. I'll stay a weekend and claim the extra spending allowance.

Megan - Sounds like a great day!
Harold

Sounds like a fabulous shopping trip to the US....I'm so close to goal, can't wait to take a trip in the next month or so to do some shopping 

I heard food is duty free...is that true?

Food is non-taxable, but it has to be food you eat, not things bought at a grocery store (found that out the hard way!)

Megan,

I cross at Niagara Falls about once a month and tell them I'm bringing back about $80-90 worth of groceries and they let me and my travelling companions (who claim about the same amount) through with no problems.  

We've never had to go and pay tax.  All they seem concerned with is if we bought alcohol or cigarettes when we say no, they wave us through.  FYI, this is just a day trip for us we're not staying overnight. 

I always cross at Pigeon River, and have been let through so many times with several hundred dollars in value, that I never complain when I get hauled in (as I was this last trip).  We usually stay only 1 night, but sometimes do a day trip as well.  And now with the exemptions going up June 1, there'll be even less chance of having to pay.  For me, it's about value for my $, and variety - so much more of both in the US.  I do 99% of my shopping in Canada, so I feel no guilt going to the US!

That is so wonderful.  Congratulations, and you look great!

I am going on girls' shopping trip this upcoming weekend, no clothes though.  I'll wait until after the surgery.  Where did you buy the crystal light mocktails? 

I got them at Sam's Club - a package each of the three flavours was $6.  Otherwise grocery stores will have them - Cub foods, SuperOne, Walmart, Target.