I have been a stranger to New York for 2 years… but just 4 years ago it was the place I called home.
This summer I returned to New York State to intern at a dental office (future dentist here! 🦷). While I did not visit the renowned city I once lived in, I did get the chance to explore Saratoga Springs.
I hope you enjoy a glimpse of my trip and my many many photos that come with it. 🫶
Part 2 will also be out in a week: A Dinner at a “Top 100 Most Scenic Restaurant in America,” the ICONIC Saratoga horse races, a visit to Saratoga Spa State Park, and an overview of my dental internship.
Here we are…
At Lake George, on a cloudy afternoon.
Lake George was expansive and quiet, and in some areas, it could be mistaken for a lake in Northern Italy. The scenery was wonderful and it was an easy way to soak in the beauty of nature while sitting back and relaxing.
It was both serene and picturesque. We drifted past mansions and people sunbathing, taking in the small details around us. The rolling hills were suffocated beneath clouds of wildfire smoke, muting the once vibrant greenery. It was all part of a larger picture that is life, with darkness inching upon beauty.
County Fair
That evening, we headed to the county fair. Parking was scarce, so we ended up walking a mile along the roadside to get there. It wasn’t awful– in fact, it turned into a fun little bonding experience as we shared stories and laughter on the way.
This was the first time I went on an amusement park ride in over 5 years. Though I’m not a fan of crowds, I had a great time and felt like a little kid again, enjoying the thrill while surrounded by new friends and family.
Congress Park
Throughout my stay, I also wandered through Congress Park, a local gem nestled in the heart of Saratoga Springs. On one particular evening, I grabbed a mint chip ice cream cone at Ben & Jerry’s after a lakeside dinner, strolled by the luscious grasses and ducks waddling around, and stood to watch a local band playing ’70s funk music.
I suppose my smiles express my feelings better than my words, but for one reason or another, I was constantly laughing during this trip. While I am a bubbly, happy being, I found myself acting out of the ordinary and overly giddy. Perhaps it was the New York air, but on this trip, I learned more about the scale of my personality and how greatly it can vary.
I think I’d deem my own happiness a little less unusual if everyone else around me understood it. Maybe that is why I felt odd. I think when we are surrounded by people who don’t reflect our feelings, we feel out of place, when in reality, our energy is unmatched. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however, it’s important to understand that in some cases we overcompensate when no one laughs back, making us feel more isolated in our own joy.
Lakeside Pizza
Another beautiful restaurant that I ate at sat right on the edge of a lake. After a day of steady rain, a golden sunset erupted from the gloomy clouds, revealing its glory.
The view was incredible, and so was the brick oven pizza made right before us. The muffled conversation from those around us, combined with the scent of cheesy dough and fresh pasta sauce, made it feel like we were in a summer film.
Overall, Saratoga is full of hidden gems that might be easily missed if you’re not searching for them (or if you don’t have a local guide like I did 😉). These were just a few of the small things that brought life to my trip, as I traveled like a local. However, my journey did not end here, so be sure to sneak back in next Sunday for part two.
🧡 Love always, Nicole! 🩷
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