Saratoga Springs, NY Part 2 - Health, History and Horses

Day 10

Total Miles Traveled: 1025

Gab:

Since we were the only guests at the Brunswick, a tired but pleasant Kirk decided to make us a full breakfast instead of the usual Continental. The Gala was great, he told us over coffee, sausage, eggs (for me), english muffins and fresh fruit. In addition to the feast, we were treated to entertainment. Being a poodle and therefore a member of the smartest, greatest breed of dogs ever, Java has mastered an impressive array of tricks which she performs with little prompting from Kirk. It was a great way to start the day.

We said goodbye to Kirk and Java the wonder poodle and took advantage of the sunny day on Broadway, the main avenue of this unpretentious resort town. It doesn’t take much imagination to conjure up what this street looked like in past eras or why people watching was (and is) a favorite pastime. Many storefronts and buildings retain a Victorian feel. In fact, the only tell-tale differences between the modern street and picture postcards depicting it in the 19th century are the horse drawn carriages and the paved road.

After taking full stock of the restaurants, bistros and cafes that line Broadway and its side streets, we chose Sperry’s, one of the more crowded. The Cuban sandwich, Michael’s choice, was filled with thinly carved pork, sliced pickle, tomato and to Michael’s delight, Cuban mustard instead of the usual mayonnaise. A side of potato salad, also made with the same creamy yet grainy mustard and a homemade pickle completed the plate. I chose the lo-carb option, not because I’m on a diet (ha) but because it sounded delicious. Sliced turkey breast and smoked mozzarella with a sun-dried tomato and olive mayonnaise served open-faced on a slice of wheat bread, along with a side salad. It was great.

Before we left we stopped into the Visitors Center which was closed when we arrived late yesterday afternoon. I’m so glad we did because the small building is filled with a wealth of history and information both about the town itself and its main attractions, the track and the spas. The interior and a replica gazebo are lined with black and white pictures from the end of the nineteenth century. There is an original cooling cabinet from one of the several “drink halls” that were popular in the Spas’ heydays and a few interactive displays. Here’s what I learned:

*Saratoga was a resort town for all classes and kinds of folks. It was not just an upper class retreat.

*The Spas with their healing mineral waters for drinking and bathing, not the racetrack and casino, were the primary draw in the late 19th, early 20th centuries.

*Potato chips were invented here!

*Boxer John Morrissey was one of the first owners of the town’s Gaming Casino (which is now home to the Saratoga Springs Historical Society.)

*The third Saturday of July is Solomon Northup Day in Saratoga Springs, in honor of the black man born free in Minerva, NY, kidnapped and sold into slavery. Solomon Northup was eventually rescued after living 12 years in slavery in Louisiana and wrote a book about his experience. Citizens of Saratoga were instrumental in his release.