What words come to mind as I think about Rochester, Minnesota?
Clean, friendly, warm (yes I said warm, not cold), hungry, expensive, old people, and the 3 S's- shuttles, skyways, and shopping...

This town is by far one of the cleanest places I have visited, EVER. Probably because no one actually goes OUTSIDE. You can access most stores, businesses, restaurants, etc. via the subway or skyway. This probably explains why there are no "litter bugs" here. You can't throw things on the street if you never walk near it.

Everyone is so very friendly here. I would love to live here. Well, I would if it were located further south and no one had an annoying accent.

I packed warm clothes for my visit here. Sweaters, coats, boots, etc. But since you never have to go outside to get anywhere, I'm completely overdressed. They keep the thermostat on like 90 degrees. No wonder people can stand the cold up here, they never actually have to experience it. We can't figure out how to get the AC on in the hotel room so we have to keep the windows open so we don't have a heat stroke.

There is food EVERYWHERE here. At any moment you can catch a whiff of freshly baked pizza, cinnamon rolls, pastries, sandwhiches, fresh coffee, etc. etc. I think I've already gained a pound or two from eating everything that smells good.

There are shops all along the subway and skyway. So if you have a couple grand to throw around you can enjoy a nice shopping spree. Oh that's a nice coat, wait $300?, no thanks.

The only people I've seen here that are my age are working at the Quizno's and the Dairy Queen. Everyone else is carrying an AARP card and qualifies for Medicare.

The RTS (Rochester Transportation System) will take you to and from the Mayo Clinic. But unfortunately the one that goes to and from our hotel gets full easily so it is easier to walk. It's not like you have to walk outside, no way, nobody goes OUTSIDE in Rochester, duh. We have the skyway for walking, and on your way home you can grab a cinnamon roll, a pair of socks to keep your feet warm (incase you decide to be daring and venture outside), an $8 smoothie, and a Christmas ornament from the many many shops that you will pass on the 5 minute walk.

All in all I am enjoying Rochester, it is a very quaint little place.