Rambling with Russ: Saratoga Mid-Winter Interlude

Saratoga Interlude

Winter 2016

For Christmas I gave Marjorie a LivingSocial voucher as a “Post-Holidays Decompression Kit”: overnight at the Gideon Putnam Hotel in Saratoga Spa State Park plus discount for the Roosevelt Baths & Spa and tickets to either the Automobile Museum or National Museum of Dance (we decide to save the latter for grandson Miles, the dancer in the family). M supplemented this with vouchers for wine-tasting & dinner. Since we don’t get going until the end of January, it seems we should call it a “Mid-Winter Interlude.”

On Sunday 1/31 we have a leisurely AM (a confession: I’m skipping out on choir today ̶ but the choir director’s away in Florida, so I guess I can play hookie too!) before the 25-mile drive up to Saratoga. Too early for our room, so we explore the grounds awhile. It’s not as picturesque as it might be, doesn’t seem much like winter: there’s a little snow & ice around (we haven’t had much of either this winter), temps in the 40s. But the historic resort hotel is impressive; GP himself is described as a late 18^th/early 19^th C “visionary who set out to create a spa resort in the midst of a wilderness.” Not exactly a wilderness now, it’s just off the lovely Avenue of the Pines, lots of people walking dogs today, near various baths, museums, theaters, etc. in the classic old buildings.

A stop into the Roosevelt Baths to make reservations for tomorrow AM. We pass a bit of winter: an iced-over grassy area w/ ice skaters twirling about. Then over to a farmers market in the Lincoln Baths, sharing some bakery goodies.

We drive thru Saratoga to Skidmore and the Tang Museum. On the way we pass the Riggi house, known for its over-the-top Halloween decorations. Sure enough, it’s still similarly decked out for Christmas. The museum is mostly empty now, prepping for exhibit openings next weekend. But there are some colorful installations and a fun exhibit of “elevator music”: while riding the elevator there are many buttons to push that create noises & visuals on the walls; the grandsons would enjoy this.

A short drive to Saratoga Winery, with a pretty logo (a horse relaxing w/ a glass of wine) & carved bear holding a wine bottle in front of a rustic log building. Our tasting includes 5 wines paired with appropriate cheeses. After chatting with the friendly owner, we buy a bottle of a riesling we enjoyed.

After dropping off Marjorie to stroll the pretty downtown and interesting shops, back to GP to check into our room & wander a bit more. There’s a big bridal fair here & in the nearby Hall of Springs. There are a few photo ops, but the exhibit areas look way too crowded! Retreating to our room to relax, I watch a show with highlights of the Giants 2008 Super Bowl win over the Patriots, a favorite memory.

Back into town, I stroll thru Congress Park with pretty views of the historic Canfield Casino & lots of ducks before rendezvousing w/ Marjorie.

After more relaxing at the hotel, back into town for a good, hearty dinner at “62 Beekman,” a nice bistro outside of the business district. Afterward we drive by the Riggi house again to see the many lights at night. Then we settle in at the hotel to watch “Downton Abbey,” accompanied by some wine & cheesecake we’d picked up earlier.

Next AM down to breakfast early before out scheduled baths. We share a table with Patricia & Stephen, a friendly couple from NYC we met last night. Otherwise we seem to almost have the place to ourselves now that all the brides have gone.

After good food & conversation, it’s off to the Roosevelt Baths. A historic setting, used as some shooting locations for the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” There are many options: aromatherapy, massage, facials & peels & scrubs (oh my!). We stick with our voucher basics: 40-minute mineral baths. After a short stint in the steam rooms, to the Relaxation Room where our attendant Colleen shows us to our private rooms & provides some orientation (Marjorie has done this, but I’m a newbie). We submerge in our tubs, hot but not too hot water, surrounded by tiny bubbles, soothing music filling the rooms. Ah, such a relaxing treat! A somewhat wobbly walk back to the car and then to the hotel to check out.

On the way home a stop into Ballston Spa, another pretty town with beautiful old houses. But the glass studio Marjorie wanted to check out is closed on Monday. So we continue home. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, but it already seems like spring: 48°, breaks of sun & blue sky. But we’ll remember this as a lovely mid-winder interlude.