The Races at Saratoga

Saratoga for the races has always been on my to-get-to list, too. Sounded so genteel and civilized. Today we get to find out.

Well, the track is pretty and we love the paddock parade where trainers and jockeys bring out their horses for an up close and personal look before each race. While, there might be more families here, the crowd looks pretty much like any other race track...maybe it's fancier for the Travers Cup.

It takes us forever, but we finally figure out how to buy clubhouse reserved seats...it's very warm and sitting in the shade will be far more comfortable. We have a good time...haven't a clue of what we are doing and lose a bunch of money.



Leave after the 7th race and go into the village of Saratoga Springs. It's adorable...graceful Victorians with hanging baskets everywhere. We're going to Hattie's for dinner. We've been told to have the fried chicken (the restaurant won a throwdown with Bobby Flay) and the jumbalaya. The place is packed and we're glad we are arriving so early. It's old down south comfortable (been there since 1938). The jumbalaya is thick, huge and very good. The chicken, however, is dry ... even the dark meat...and the cornbread is dry too...big disappointment.

The Lake George Schroon Valley RV Resort unfolds in mysterious ways. While it caters to a kind of Nascar crowd and isn't in the slightest bit attractive, since we've moved to the river site and had a rousing night of dancing, it feels better. We also find out they lend DVD's out for free (very necessary because no TV or cable here). They also have WiFi, but don't really tell you about it. (And we need it because our roaming internet relies on cell phone coverage and there's none of that here either.) You get an hour free a day they say with extra time available for purchase. Fact of the matter they just give you the code for the extra time. The pool is also fairly nice and there's a big game/video room. They also rent go-carts and tubes for going down the river. It's understandable why there are so many kids here...they are having a great time.

When Rick is in the office taking back a DVD, he hears tonight's entertainment is a hypnotist. He goes down for a while and it's mobbed.. the hypnotized people on stage are convinced they are glued to their chairs and they really can't get off! There's a lot going on at this place...wish it were prettier.