Catherine's in the Park - Saratoga Springs

Lunch at a State Park

Don and I got hungry while exploring Saratoga Spa State Park in New York, last summer. We found lunch in this charming building.

We love visiting parks and eating at them. But that usually means packing our own food. Our closest park back home in Texas, is Brazos Bend State Park. There's no "Spa" in the name, but we love a sandwich at a picnic table, after wandering the trails and spotting alligators.  

​The Gideon Putman Resort

There were no obvious reptiles at this New York state park, but they had some nice accommodations.  The lovely Gideon Putman Resort opened in 1935. Guests came from far away to "take the waters" for good health and relaxation.  
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Catherine's
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We could have eaten lunch at the hotel, but we learned about this smaller cafe that offered a more casual setting. The inside was cozy and quiet. A few golfers were gathering in the nearby bar.

Screen Door
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The arches and woodwork were classic, but the screen door was calling to us. "Is the patio open for dining?"

Ahhhh! Perfect!
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Just down the steps, we had our pick of umbrella shaded tables. The air was perfect. I loved the outside view of the structure better than the inside. I studied the classic brick structure, with ionic columns. The noticed the words Golf Club, written above.  

Arches
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I loved the flowers and the arched windows and colonnades. I saw a photo of some lovely ladies lined up posing, back in the day. I wondered about the famous folks who once visited. Did Fred Astaire or Cary Grant enjoy a summer day, on this patio?

​Victoria Pool

But the best part of our view was the calm pool, surrounded by more brick buildings and towering trees. The Victoria Pool was the very first heated pool in the country! Oddly enough, it is too expensive to heat it now.
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On Deck
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Don and I sipped a beer and studied our menus on the original limestone deck. The pool was closed and we enjoyed the quiet. But it would have been entertaining to see what kind of crowd enjoys the pool, during open hours.

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Yum!

I felt like I was dining at my Aunt Marguerite's country club, but we were in a state park! This all felt sort of silly and magical! My Buffalo Wing Salad was not something that would have been on the menu years ago, but it was wonderful. Aunt M. probably would have ordered a chicken salad sandwich, just like Don. All was wonderful!

Bit of History
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I love a little dining adventure that includes some history. This was a fun one. We had no spa treatment, but I felt like I'd had a therapeutic lunch. Maybe next time we'll go back and stay at the hotel and join the crowds at the pool! Maybe next time, I'll find out who Catherine was!