April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
TOUR On the trail of Albany County
The county offers a wide range of sites to satisfy diverse interests, as I found out when I tackled Albany County for the latest installment of The Evangelist's summer travel series.
In previous years, I conquered a county in a day, leaving the house early in the morning and returning late that night. Since becoming a parent, however, my approach had to change. Last year, my daughter Kathleen willingly spent time in her stroller, allowing me to fit in at least two visits to a county's sites in one day. But with her second birthday near, my method changed to one child-friendly destination per day.
City first
A tour of Albany County would not be complete without a visit to the City of Albany, which is celebrating the 350th anniversary of the founding of the village of Beverwyck, which evolved into Albany.There are many wonderful places to visit, like the State Capital; the historic Ten Broeck, Cherry Hill and Schuyler mansions; and the Quackenbush House, the oldest remaining Dutch building still standing in the city. But our first stop was Washington Park. Comprised of 84 acres, it boasts approximately 100 species of trees from around the world. While the park is well known in the Capital District for its spring tulips, the view doesn't fade after the tulips wilt.
The park is landscaped in the Victorian tradition, with both gardens and lawn. The original plans were made by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed New York City's Central Park. Work began on it after the Civil War.
Leisurely stroll
One of my favorite parts of the park is the lake (actually a pond) and the Lakehouse. The latter serves as home to the Park Playhouse, Albany's summer theater. Seating is terraced into the hill facing the stage.Kathleen enjoyed climbing up the stairs to the different levels of the seating, while I enjoyed reminiscing about the plays I have seen over the years. My husband Peter enjoyed the park because "it's somewhat quiet."
The park also offers tennis courts, fishing in the lake and bicycle paths.
Old houses
Next, we visited the nearby Center Square neighborhood, which consists of 19th-century row houses, originally built as single-family dwellings. Over the years, some have been converted into apartments and offices; others have remained as single-family homes, creating a diverse neighborhood. The neighborhood has special significance for Peter and me: I was living there when we first met, started dating and got engaged.As we walked down Lancaster Street and up Chestnut, we were once again struck by the beautiful architecture and the pride residents take in their homes. Many residents plant flower boxes that overflow with annuals. Others have container gardens.
From certain angles from the street, we could catch a glimpse of the gardening hidden behind these homes.
Sesame and Wharton
The Center Square Neighborhood reminds me of two very different things: "Sesame Street" and novelist Edith Wharton. I think of "Sesame Street" because of the row houses with large front steps and the neighborhood businesses, where people are friendly and take time to speak with you.I think of Wharton because the people who originally built these homes lived during her lifetime and were of some means. I can picture visitors leaving their calling cards with the maid and the mistress of the home receiving guests for tea. Carved mahogany railings on three-story staircases, hardwood floors, pocket doors, and built-in shelves and cupboards graced these homes in their heyday.
We made our way to nearby Lark Street and stopped at the Daily Grind coffee shop, the only coffee roaster in Albany. While there are many tempting treats at the coffee shop, I had my heart set on their crumb coffee cake, which has a layer of chocolate in it. It did not disappoint.
Into the country
Our next excursion was to rural Albany County. We packed a picnic lunch and headed to John Boyd Thatcher State Park, located in the hilltowns of southwestern Albany County.Part of the Helderberg Escarpment, the park offers views of the cities of Albany and Schenectady, the Adirondack foothills, and the Green Mountains.
To get there, we took Route 146 through Guilderland Center, through the village of Altamont onto Route 156/Berne Altamont Road. Then we followed the signs to Thatcher Park.
Memories
Driving through Altamont, like walking through the Center Square Neighborhood, brings back memories. My first newspaper job was at the Altamont Enterprise. The well-kept Victorian Homes, sidewalks and village green remind me of a simpler time.The American flags and red-white-and-blue banners that hang from the homes and businesses aren't just there in response to Sept. 11; they have been flown in the village as long as I've been visiting it.
If you haven't been to Altamont, picture a smaller version of Bedford Falls, the town in "It's A Wonderful Life."
In the hills
At Thatcher Park, we tired Kathleen out on the playground located near the Olympic-sized swimming pool and then decided to go on the half-mile Indian Ladder Trail. Our plan was to carry Kathleen, but she insisted on walking, surprising us with her interest in the rocks, flora and fauna.While we spotted many different plants, the only one I could identify was wild geranium. Other plants that grow along the trail, according to the New York State Parks Department, include two types of clover, flowering dogwood, snowberries and June berries.
The trail was built by the Mohawk Indians, who included a ladder to climb the steep parts. There's a small waterfall you can pass beneath, as well as nooks and crannies in the limestone rock to examine. At points, the trail is narrow, but there seems to be an etiquette that leads people to politely make room when others are approaching.
Caution
Although we took our toddler on this trail, it isn't something that children should do unsupervised: At some points, the drop is 100 feet or more. Also, one should wear sensible shoes since the path can be muddy, wet and slippery.The trail is a good introduction to hiking since it takes only 45 minutes and is clearly marked. The rewards are incredible views, both of the distant landscape and the greenery along the path.
For those not interested in walking on the trail, the park offers several playgrounds, a swimming pool, ball fields, volley ball courts and sheltered picnic areas.
Treats
We continued our tour of Albany County by driving east on Route 85, passing through the towns of New Salem and New Scotland.Feeling a bit tired and hungry from our day at the park, we decided to stop in at the Toll Gate in Slingerlands, a restaurant known for its homemade ice cream.
Run by the same family for 52 years, it's homey, with walls decorated with colonial pineapple wallpaper. Old-fashioned bar stools surround the counter, and honey-colored pine benches flank the tables. Cape May light fixtures hang from the ceiling.
While we waited for our ice cream, the waitress brought Kathleen crayons and paper. When our ice cream arrived, Kathleen handed her picture to the waitress, who expressed a true interest in the scribbles on the page, thanked her for the drawing and hung it up on the bulletin board.
I was surprised by the size of my hot fudge sundae. Used to the portions from chain restaurants, I was expecting the small sundae I ordered to include just a taste of coffee ice cream rather than the very generous portion I received.
Shopping time
A visit to Albany County wouldn't be complete without some shopping. My aunt, Maria Krause, joined me for a visit to Stuyvesant Plaza on Western Avenue on the border of Albany and Guilderland.Stuyvesant Plaza is home to more than 60 shops and restaurants. If you are looking for a shopping experience where you will receive personal attention and unique products, Stuyvesant Plaza is for you. We went into:
* The Toy Market, a small shop overflowing with educational and distinctive toys;
* Alfred's Fabrics with its aisles of fabric selections;
* Different Drummers Kitchen, where we marveled at the products designed to help you make a perfect pie crust and at the hand-carved wooden salad tongs that looked like hair clips;
* Mitchie's, The Unique Kid's Store, where we saw formalwear for children and beautiful hand-painted furniture to decorate a children's bedroom; and
* Pearl Grant Richmond's, which offers items for the home, gifts and cards. We talked with one of the clerks, who gave us an impromptu lesson in caring for silver. He spent a great deal of time talking to us, even though he knew we weren't planning to buy anything.
Place for all
My final stop in Albany County was a visit to Indian Ladder Farms in Altamont. Kathleen and I belong to a play-group that meets each Thursday. With the warmer weather here, the mothers in the group decided we should get outside; so we met at Indian Ladder Farms.It was a great place to bring toddlers, but there is something there for people of all ages. The Yellow Rock Cafe offers gourmet sandwiches made with farm-fresh ingredients. The shop offers fruits and vegetables, as well as a large selection of gift items. There are also nature trails, picnic areas and an herb garden.
However, most of our visit focused on the petting zoo. The children got to see chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, rabbits, sheep, cows, pigs and goats. Families with older children would enjoy the zoo as well, since there is detailed information posted about each animal.
Another big hit with the toddler set was the giant sandbox, complete with plenty of shovels and pails to forestall any fighting over toys.
Thumbs up
After the visits to these locations in Albany County and reviewing all of the places I didn't include in this article, I am convinced there are places for people of diverse interests to visit in this county.From parks to historic sights, there is something for everyone to sample.
(For information, visit www.albany.org, or call 434-1217.)
(07-04-02) [[In-content Ad]]
Comments:
You must login to comment.