Friday, August 19, 2011

Saratoga Springs, NY Horse Racing Track…

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2011-08-18  The race Track at Saratoga NY  011Saratoga Springs, New York (simply Saratoga as the locals call it) has a slogan that is well known around these parts “Saratoga is the August place to be.” Why you may ask? Not only is the weather picture perfect in this cool little town on the southern edge of the Adirondack Mountains, but it is also the time of the year the ponies are running…

The Saratoga Springs, NY Horse Racing Track called the Saratoga Race Course opened In 1863 and then moved the following year to where it is today. The track is not only the the oldest continuously-operating horse track in the United States is also the oldest of any sporting event of any kind in the USA. The track today is opened for six weeks in the summer and attracts the top jockeys and 2011-08-18 Camp K and Saratoga NY 004thoroughbreds in the land. It is host to the Travers Stakes which is said to be the most important summer thoroughbred race.

Besides the history one can enjoy the sights and sounds of the track on a racing day as the sophisticated ladies are sporting their racing garb and their large, showy hats. You can smell the bratwursts on the grill alongside the sweet smelling caramelized onions and green peppers. Cold draft Labatt's Blue on tap helps complete the day at the track. So go to the track and bet an exacta, quinella, or daily double and simply enjoy the day…

2011-08-18 Sharon in front of the Tin and LintAfter you have had your fill of horse racing go into town and park free behind the police station and check out the post racing action by visiting one of the many pubs, taverns or restaurants in town. There are many great little spots in town so just dive in… Some of our favorites ranged from the upscale The Parting Glass - Irish Pub and Restaurant to a little dive bar called Tin 'N' Lint. Where ever you end up you will have a great time….

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon…

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Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of the Allegheny Plateau in the northern part of the state of Pennsylvania is a spectacular canyon known as the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Not to be confused with the Grand Canyon of Arizona but this canyon offers a level of beauty all its own.

There are two places you can go to view this geologic wonder: one is to go to Leonard Harrison State Park and the other is to visit Colton Point State Park. These two state parks are dedicated to preserving the area around the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Leonard Harrison State Park is on the eastern rim of the canyon while Colton State park is on the west rim of the canyon. Both of these parks were originally built by the CCC back in the mid-1930s and they both offer extensive hiking and biking opportunities appealing to all levels of outdoor enthusiasts.

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2011-08-08 Tioga Hammond Lakes PA_thumb[2]From the rim you are treated to various scenic vistas that each offer a different spectacular view into the glacially-carved canyon. At its deepest point the canyon is 1450 feet deep and but is only 800-foot deep between the rims of the state parks.

Stay for a while and enjoy the lighting that ever changing as the sun peaks from behind the clouds and then retreats back for a while. Immerse yourself into the history and geology of the area and transcend yourself back into time to truly enjoy your time spent here.

Originally known as Pine Creek Gorge, it is the home to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania where it took thousands of years of erosion by active glaciers for Pine Creek to carve the wonderful Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.

Heyduke says check it out!!!

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Bullfrog Brewery - Williamsport Pennsylvania

2011-08-05 Williamsport PA 055Williamsport Pennsylvania, where every little league player dreams to end up playing baseball or softball in the Little League World Series. However, there is more to Bullfrog barWilliamsport Pennsylvania than little league.

Williamsport is home to many people of wealth and their abundant million plus dollar restored homes. These homes and their varied architectural styles are can be found along fourth street but something else can be found on Fourth Street – the Bullfrog Brewery – a Road Treat.

imageBullfrog Brewery, on 229 West Fourth St. was founded in 1996 and was named small business of the year recently. This award winning brewpub is more of an upscale microbrewery than I generally like but it does sport some nice brews.

We sampled three of the beers. First we tried the Billtown Blonde ale. This is a lightly colored ale with a smooth clean and crisp flavor at about 5.5% alcohol. We both liked this brew and my bride decided to have a pint of it. 2011-08-05 Williamsport PA 051Next we tried the the Apricot Wheat beer since we had one in Spartanburg that we both loved (it was actually peach but close enough). The beer had no real flavor of apricot (a negative) and was a bit bitter. So this one was not to be a choice for a pint. The third one we tried was my favorite. The Edgar IPA is a hoppy and lively beer with just a hint of bitterness (8% alcohol). The beers went really well with a Rueben sandwich we ordered to split which came with a side of sweet potato fries. The sandwich was great!

The place is a bit pricier than I would prefer it to be but on this day we splurged since it was International Beer Day . In case you didn’t know International Beer Day is a worldwide celebration of beer held annually on August 5th at local pubs, bars and breweries all over the world.