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Cap Region Road Trip: Rural Schenectady County

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This drive through rural Schenectady County is a great way to explore Capital Region’s natural beauty and pick up some craft beverages along the way. We are finally seeing some sunshine and warmer temps, which makes it a lot easier to get that vital dose of Vitamin D. While visiting any of our amazing outdoor spaces, please take all of the safety measures recommended by NYS Parks Department.

How To Get There: There are several routes that will take you into rural Schenectady County from US-90 and US-88 to State Routes 20, 7 and 74. We recommend downloading a map before you go as there are some areas without cell coverage. Virtually visit our recommendation with our Google Earth map if you are unable to get out (View that here)..

What To See:

Christman Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, 3281 Schoharie Turnpike, Delanson, NY 12053. Home to the spectacular Bozenkill waterfall and plantations of locust, cedar, spruce and pine. Explore the two looped main trails and two side trials. Located on the property is a two-story dwelling built in 1868, a stone dairy house, large stone walls, and more.

Schenectady County Forest Preserve, Lake Rd. (County Route 88), Delanson, NY 12053. The Preserve has three trail paths. The pates feature a number of habitats including a native hardwood forest, a red pine plantation and a man-made pond.

Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main St, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150. The oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley (1705), Mabee Farm Historic Site offers visitors beautiful vistas and riverside beauty. The buildings are currently closed, but the trails and grounds are still open to visitors.

Great Flats Nature Trail. W. Campbell Rd, Schenectady, NY 12306. The Great Flats Nature Trail is a wetland habitat that offers an easy well-defined path through a wooded area. The path leads to wetlands and a small lake, where you can walk on a boardwalk around the lake. The trail is a circular route that has both a long and short option.

Where to Eat and Drink

Back Barn Brewing, 7082 Western Turnpike, Delanson, NY 12053. Growlers, pints and cans are available for pick-up Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Check out what’s currently on-tap on their website at the link.

Altamont Vineyard & Winery, 3001 Furbeck Rd, Altamont, NY 12009. While their wine alone is worth a stop, don’t sleep on their full array of good for sale online. From yummy grape jelly to small-batch honey to home decor & more, there is so much great stuff to score. Order ahead of time and they will provide curbside delivery. Don’t miss out on the view of the vineyards as you head up the driveway.

Wagon Train BBQ, 671 Mariaville Rd, Schenectady, NY 12306. Worked up an appetite from exploring all the natural beauty in Schenectady County? Wagon Train BBQ is ready to tackle any sized hunger. We dare you to try and conquer the Train-Wreck Burger (A burger topped with Swiss cheese, ham, roast beef, coleslaw, horseradish mayo and chipotle ranch) or one of their Wagon Train Combos. Check their IG for daily specials including family meals.

Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, 6882 Amsterdam Rd, Schenectady, NY 12302. Don’t miss out on the great brews on tap at Wolf Hollow Brewing Company. Call ahead or order online for growlers and cans. I recommend the Lock 9am Vanilla Coffee Porter. And don’t forget to check the website to see what food truck is on-site serving up delicious eats on the weekends. Click here for pre-order information. I mean because you’ll need to wash something down with all that great beer.

A Chat With SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

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SPAC President and CEO Elizabeth Sobol in quarantine

Elizabeth Sobol is the President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. She is also a voracious reader, champion of the cultural arts and lover of the natural world. She recently posted an eloquent letter about life during a pandemic and the impact of Beethoven’s music on our world in the year of his 250th birthday. You can read that here.

We just knew she’d have some great insight and advice for us during New York’s Shelter In Place orders. Please enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth Sobol.

ACE’s Rachel Dunn interviews SPAC’s Elizabeth Sobol

Elizabeth Sobol’s Favorites:

  • Saratoga PLAN – Saratoga PLAN is dedicated to preserving the rural character, natural habitats and scenic beauty of Saratoga County and provides information on County parks and trails. Includes information on Hennig Preserve.
  • SPAC “Sparked By Beauty” Facebook Page – Saratoga Performing Arts Center has created an online forum for the sharing of poetry, art, music, dance – things of beauty that bring you joy and light under the dark clouds of uncertainty.
  • Elizabeth’s Reading List:
    • Brian Greene’s Until The End of Time – “It’s a huge book in scope – and he is really looking at both the history of the cosmos – as well as the history of human thought and experience. Kind of like “from the Big Bang to Beethoven”. It sounds daunting, but it is so precisely and beautifully written that it is very gripping. “
    • Erik Larson’s The Splendid and The Vile – “[This] is basically a history of Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister – and also the first year of WWII and the Blitz.  It’s a timely and powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit – and the importance of honest, powerful oratory – in leading people through times of crisis.”
    • Irina Ratushinskaya’s Grey Is The Color of Hope – “A memoir about her many years in the gulags of Russia and how she maintained hope and sustenance through the clandestine writing of poetry on matchbooks.”
    • Tracy K. Smith’s Life on Mars – “Our immediate past US Poet Laureate and an extraordinary human being. She also has her own poetry podcast called “The Slowdown”. I listen to it at night when I can’t sleep.  It is magical.”
  • Favorite Beethoven recordings:
    • “Because I was an aspiring pianist in a distant past, I always gravitate to [Beethoven’s] piano music. Any recording of any of the 32 piano sonatas performed by Richard Goode, Jonathan Biss or Igor Levitt (representing three different generations of pianists).”
    • “Jonathan Biss is also a great writer and has a terrific Kindle Single called ‘In Beethoven’s Shadow’.”

Cap Region Road Trip – Lake George

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By: Rachel Dunn

Despite all of our restrictions, we are not without options – and no, we don’t mean Netflix vs. Hulu. The great outdoors are still open, and Lake George — the “Queen of American Lakes” — is one of the crown jewels of the Capital Region . Whether you stay in your car or take a safe, COVID-compliant hike, this is a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the lake and the stirrings of Spring. You’ll enjoy vast history, trails and beautiful architecture all along the way. Depending on how interactive you want to be, your trip can last a couple of hours or a whole day. Please consult NYS Parks Department COVID Guidelines before leaving home.

Lake George Google Earth Map

We’ve created an interactive Lake George Map using Google Earth, with links, stops and information to help you with your drive. If you aren’t able to leave your home, you can use this map to go on a virtual drive. Access the interactive map HERE.

The Lake George Drive

Million Dollar Beach, Lake George
  • Start by exiting the Northway I-87 at Lake George Village (Exit 22) and make a left onto Route 9N, which will lead you through Lake George Village. Lake George makes small appearances throughout the village drive, and its beauty is spectacular. If open, take a detour down Beach Road and take in Lake George and the Adirondacks from “Million Dollar Beach,” at the southern end of the lake.
  • Follow Route 9N through Lake George Village to the end of town, and keep right and continue on 9N along Lake Shore Drive. You’ll see some of the inns and resorts that make Lake George a thriving tourist destination in the warmer months.
Lake George Village
  • A little further along the route, we came upon the charming Diamond Point Community Church, a historic church dedicated in August, 1879. You can take a virtual tour here. 
Sabbath Day Scenic Outlook
  • Continue north toward Bolton Landing, a village with lots of nearby hikes (the family-friendly trails at Up Yonda Farms are open, but the educational facilities are not), and the gorgeous Sabbath Day Scenic Lookout, which has two spots to pull over where you can take the opportunity to eat some lunch, breathe in the fresh air and take in the incredible views of Lake George. During our drive, it was so quiet that we could hear dogs barking on the other side of the lake.
  • If you’re getting hungry, there are a few options nearby. You can order takeout Wednesday-Sunday at Bolton Landing Brewing Company (518) 644-2739), or get a curbside delivery of some locally made wine and liquor at Huddle Bay Wine and Spirits, (518) 644-2111. I included a couple of options on our Google Earth map, but you might want to plan ahead and pack a lunch or some snacks.
Valley View Memorial Chapel
  • Further along the drive, you’ll get a closer view of Lake George as the road meets the shore, and you’ll pass Silver Bay and the sprawling YMCA Family Retreat Center on the way to the town of Ticonderoga. As you approach Ticonderoga, you’ll find the quaint and historic Valley View Memorial Chapel, an iconic structure set atop a hill in the Lord Howe Valley. The chapel was dedicated August 25, 1901.
  • You can now choose to turn around and head back south along the lake, or you can drive around the entire lake by crossing through Ticonderoga and heading south on Route 22. Detailed directions here.

If you feel like stretching your legs during your drive, there are several hiking trails that offer extraordinary views of the lake, many with streams, ponds and falls along the trails. You can find a list of trails on the Lake George website. We recommend that you check ahead of time to make sure they are open to the public.

If history’s your thing or just want a little extra info along the way, you can check out The Warren County History Mapper where you will find a comprehensive list of historical sites around Lake George.

Please note that there are several spots throughout the drive where there is little to no cell service. If you are looking for historical markers, hiking trails or to order takeout, make sure to plan ahead by downloading information or calling businesses ahead of time. 

Please follow the DEC and CDC guidelines to adhere to social distancing while hiking and recreating outdoors during this public health crisis. Let’s all do our part to stay safe and flatten the curve. 

The CARES Act

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The CARES Act allows freelancers — yes, freelancers! — and all other affected workers to collect unemployment benefits, plus there’s now a $600/week supplement through July 31st. If you’ve experienced job loss or reduced income, start the application process as soon as you’re able. The wait times are long, and it can take a few weeks to receive your benefits. To apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), click here.

In addition, businesses can get help, including payroll protection, loans and more, through the SBA’s Relief Programs; more information is available here. If you’re nervous or unsure about how this works or whether you’re eligible, please contact us, and we’ll get you to someone who can help.

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