HEALTH, HISTORY AND
HORSES |
| Kayaking on Lake George |
We accepted another
invitation from dear friends to visit them at their home in upstate New York.
They live near the tony town of Saratoga Springs. Like our previous visits we
spent the weekend partaking in the revelry of the many drinking establishments
in town, especially around Caroline Street. That’s a normal occurrence in
Saratoga Springs, but this time we also went kayaking on nearby Lake George at
the “camp” their family owns, and we also visited the mineral springs that
first lured tourists to this area.
…AND THEY’RE OFF
Today, Saratoga Springs
is known for horse racing. Thousands of people come to town for the
thoroughbred racing season at the Saratoga Race Course which runs from mid-July
through September. Added recently to the schedule is the Belmont Stakes, the
final leg of the Triple Crown, while Belmont Park is being renovated through
2026.
During the racing
season the population of Saratoga Springs swells with tourists who hit the many
bars even if they didn’t hit it big at the races, but the revelry does not
abate with the off season. We have experienced the crush of patrons in the bars
when the track wasn’t open during our previous visits.
THE DRUNKEST CITY IN
NEW YORK
Saratoga Springs also
has the dubious distinction of being the drunkest city in New York State, with
24% of the population admitting to excessive drinking in a recent pub crawl
poll. This number is about 5% higher than the national average.
We have been known to
partake in “some” drinking during our visits with this humble scribe’s personal
favorite being the Bourbon Room on Caroline Street.
VIVA L’ESTAT UNIS
This was our third
visit to the area and previously we toured the battle sites of Saratoga which
was a turning point in the Revolutionary War as the Americans’ victory here convinced
France to help in our cause. We also used Saratoga Springs as a jumping off
point to experience the thrilling solar eclipse in 2024. We settled in on the
storied speed skating rink for the Lake Placid Olympics and watched the
heavenly display.
And, of course, for
both visits we slaked our thirst at the many establishments in and around
Saratoga Springs…for medicinal purposes you know.
TAKING THE WATERS
Saratoga Springs has
long been a wellness destination for those seeking the curative naturally
carbonated spring waters in the area. By the mid-1800s doctors would routinely
prescribe a visit to the spas of Saratoga Springs where nearly everything, from
skin, kidney and liver ailments to rheumatism to cancer to stress relief, was
rumored to be cured by taking the waters at spas like the Roosevelt Baths and
the Lincoln Baths. Elite members of society like the Vanderbilts, Whitneys and
the Morgans often visited the spas.
Today only the
Roosevelt Bath and Spa remains. Located on the grounds of the Saratoga Spa
State Park, visitors can soak privately in individual rooms filled with the
naturally effervescent mineral water—keeping the centuries-old wellness
tradition alive.
WHEREFORE THE WATERS
Saratoga Springs lies
on a geological fault line, and the underground water sources contain dissolved
carbon dioxide gas. This carbonates the water as it passes through layers of shale,
rock and soil, absorbing minerals and gases along the way. The carbon dioxide
dissolves in the water and creates the sparkling, fizzy waters that have lured tourists to Saratoga Springs since the Revolutionary War era. |
| Geyser Island with tufa |
Soda water is created
by artificially infusing the water with CO2 gas under pressure, but in Saratoga
Springs this occurs naturally.
TASTING THE WATERS
Essential minerals to
humans like calcium, magnesium, and potassium are absorbed by the water and the
natural carbonation has an alkaline PH that helps reduce acidity in the body which
also helps with indigestion. It is possible to purchase Saratoga Springs water
in deep blue bottles in area stores, or one can fill their personal containers
at any one of 21 mineral springs located in the vicinity.
Each of the springs vary
slightly in its chemical makeup and flavor, some even change with the season.
Some of the springs have an accumulation of tufa, a type of limestone carbonate
that is deposited as the carbonated water breaches the surface. Over time some
of the tufa mounds have become massive.
Geothermically heated hot
springs produce a similar limestone carbonate called travertine.
Here is a map of the area’s
springs:
Here is a description
of each of the springs:
CAMP, CABIN OR COTTAGE
DIFFERENCE?
Nothing.
Depending on where you
are from, your plot of heavenly getaway can be called a cabin or a cottage, or
a camp. With our upstate New York friends, their little house on a finger of
the lengthy and historic Lake George is called a camp. With a screened porch,
brilliant views, refreshing waters and kayaks it was a great way to spend a
relaxing day. Even when I fell out of the kayak at the pier it was all fun.
 |
| Camp on Lake George |
Their camp is far
enough away from the relative tumult of the tourism around the state run
Million Dollar Beach which is a quick walk to Fort William Henry, which was part of
a chain of forts erected by the British during the French Indian War and the
living museum there is a major tourist attraction. The fort figured prominently
in James Fennimore Cooper’s novel, The Last Of The Mohicans. Parking at Million
Dollar Beach is $10 per car.
My family traveled to the
area when I was a gawky teenager. There’s a photograph somewhere of me
tormenting my younger siblings while on the parapet.
Thanks for reading.
Love Janet and greg
© 2025 by Gregory Dunaj
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