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Published: August 3rd 2010
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Staying in Albany gave us a great base for exploring a bit of New York State and we also made a side trip into Massachusetts. We had a ball. Generally Ronnie drove to our destination, we explored a bit, had lunch, explored a bit more, then Russ drove back.
Lenox
Lenox was just over the border in Massachusetts. The reason for going? Shakespeare. First though, we had a wander around looking at the craft market and the most unusual sculptures all around town. It was really nice although some of the exhibits left us feeling rather bemused! Then it was time for
A Comedy of Errors presented by
Shakespeare & Co. It was amazing, possibly the best performance of a work by the Bard we have ever seen. If that's not a recommendation, what is???! From Lenox we made our way to nearby Stockbridge where we ate in the Red Lion, a nice, cosy British pub, or at least the basement bar was. The rest of the building was like a posh country hotel somewhere in the English countryside!
Woodstock - Peace Man!!
Woodstock was not actually the site of
Woodstock! The concert for music and peace was actually
in Bethel, some 40 miles away. Still, that doesn't stop the town from milking it's hippiness. First of all though, we went for a hike in the nearby mountains. It wasn't an easy walk but the path was well maintained, it was just really steep. On the way to the summit of
Overlook Mountain we passed an abandoned hotel which was quite atmospheric. The views from the summit were excellent, although we did have to climb the rickety observation tower to get the best vistas because of the summer foliage. Back down the hill we had a nice walk around Woodstock. It's cool! Trish bought a bag from a Tibetan shop and we had lunch in a Middle-Eastern cafe. No musicians in the streets though, and not even a whiff of a spliff, although I'm sure they were there if you looked hard enough!!!!
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga is famous for two things. Mostly horse racing and the race meeting was in full swing although we didn't go to the track. The shops are full of racing memorabilia and were definitely worth a browse. There are several places to wander around nice gardens and "take the waters" from the
natural springs. Not all the water fountains produce natural spring water these days, and it's an acquired taste anyway which we have yet to acquire! Still, a nice day out.
Cooperstown
Before this trip we had never heard of Cooperstown. Now we know it for
three different reasons.
Firstly it is named after James Fennimore Cooper, author of "The Last of the Mohicans". There are a few statues around the edge of Glimmerglass Lake which make reference to his works.
Secondly it is the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. We didn't go in guessing it really was a place for aficionados of the game rather than the casual browser. Why it was there we're not sure but some people suggest it is the spiritual birthplace of the game. There's baseball stuff everywhere!
Thirdly, and far more up our street, it is home to several breweries! The first one we tried to visit was closed for a beer festival. How can you be CLOSED for a beer festival???!!! We ended up at the Cooperstown Brewing Company which was excellent. Their
Old Slugger and
Pride of Milford beers were so good we bought some to
drink later on!
So, as you can see, we had a great time in Albany. Thanks Ronnie for your hospitality and your transportation!!!! Miss you already!!!!!
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Ronnie
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lots of beer
You forgot to mention that those three shelves of beer bottles were in the bathroom!