Troy, Saratoga Springs and Upstate New York

Aug 28, 2006
Current mood:calm

Upstate New York

Travers

I knew I was forgetting something when the plane left Denver at 4:30am and I was a walking zombie( and a good looking one at that, jk).....my journal!!  This place is the opposite of every preconceived image my mind had dreamed up for the last 40 years.

My contorted thoughts of "New Yorkers" were of obnoxious, fast talking and fork tounged clones of humans that lived their lives on top of each other since there were so many people in these tiny New England states and so little land that they all have to fit on  somehow. Nothing like the vast expanses of spaces equal to the Midwest and West Coast.

Just when I thought I was the least hypocritical, non-judgmental, most openminded person I knew, reality opened a new door. What I have found is the exact opposite. This place bursts with old family values, boasts sincere pride in it's history altering revolutionary battles, flaunts the distinguished tastes of the Roaring 40's with black tie at the Travers Horse Derby in Saratoga Springs, to the "almost Canadian" brew pubs that are dark and heavy with Irish and Italian accents and enthusiasm. This is where generations are born and die on the same street and the corner butcher is the one that was cutting tenderloins and pork chops off your neighbors farm for your grandfather. Where, when you ask the cashier at the local cheese stand in Vermont why Vermont cheese is better than any other, and he answers because it is made with love from generation to generation. And when that piece of Truck Drivers Aged White Cheddar melts in your mouth.......and you innately realize that you will never ever have a piece of cheese that feels that good, tastes that flavorful on your tongue again. 

John, a friend I haven't seen in 25 years with his drop dead
gorgeous wife. It was as if no time had passed.

We are staying with Brett's college roommate who doesn't even own a set of keys to his 100 year old house with the wrap around screened porches and mahogony mouldings. They never lock their doors. Their families, extended families and relatives are the only ones who live in the neighborhood and 85 year old "dad" just hotwired the riding lawnmower to mow the neighbors lawn while the rain subsided for an hour.

This place is amazing!! I can't wait for the opportunity to show my children this little piece of heartland to learn in two days what  years of high school history doesn't teach you about the foundation of our country. It's a place rich in religion, rich in beliefs, rich in values, rich in tradition!!