When it comes to Saratoga, August is a huge month here. August is the heart of racing reason, the busiest month for the bars and many of the businesses, the month of the Travers Stakes race and not to mention countless galas and events. With the end of August comes a change of pace around here. The tourists begin fanning out and Saratoga becomes the normal, still busy city that it is 10 1/2 months of the year.
For food, the season change just means a heartier, warmer selection of delicious menu options. Rather than focusing on the cold dishes meant to cool you off in the summer, the shift is to soups and chili’s that are meant to warm you up as the temperature goes down. The fall also brings apple picking, pumpkin picking, hay rides and corn maizes. As much as I hate seeing the warm weather evaporate, I LOVE the cool breeze and chunky sweaters and boots. I also enjoy dressing my dog up as a pumpkin.
She loves it, I promise.
Upstate NY has always been known for their abundance of farm fresh apples and the activity has become a fall staple. I’m proud to say that I’ve never missed an apple picking season. I love riding on the rickety tractor across the road at Saratoga Apple to the miles and miles of different apples. I always leave there with a full bag and a full stomach since I like to try every single variety there is when I’m picking.
Yes that’s me on the left side, and it was the 90’s which explains why our outfits are totally awesome, and hideous.
Precious and ultra flattering family photo from apple picking at Saratoga Apple last fall (2011). It was around 80 degrees that day which is pretty unheard of for apple picking weather, but I didn’t mind.
Of course this year, due to an extremely mild winter and some hail storms this spring, the apple crop is a little different. Many farms were left with a minimum crop and some barely produced enough product for picking. For more information, All Over Albany posted a great article describing what each local farm has to offer.
While I’m sad to see summer go, I’m definitely excited for the fall. Not only do I love the fall weather, but I love the activities and fun of the fall season. So see ya later August, welcome September!
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