I'm on an Amtrak train heading to Washington, DC. I took the train from Washington to Saratoga Springs, New York and now I'm going home. What can I tell you about the train trip? It was a long way up to Saratoga Springs. It's a journey which could be made in a couple of hours in an airplane. But a train ride is a much more deliberate thing. You know you have left one place and are traveling some distance between it and the next location. Trains are out of the past. They really are. I enjoyed the trip and valued the time. It took nearly a full day of travel from DC to Saratoga Springs. The rocking of the railcar allowed me to realize that I had some time for thinking, ruminating. I valued that.

We have changed as a culture since the 1930s and 1940s when train travel was the usual form of movement from place to place. It used to take 3 or 4 days to go across the country. Now we do it in a matter of hours and still have time to get breakfast before we leave and dinner after we arrive in the new destination. Yes, train travel is a contemplative from. Try it. You’ll be amazed.

When I got to Saratoga Springs, I was driven around the city by Annamaria Bellantoni, who works for the Saratoga Chamber. I noticed the springs in the parks. There are many different mineral springs there. The Indians used to use the mineral water for healing. Then civilization came and faucets were put on the springs and many are covered by pagodas. It’s quite nice really. You see springs and cars are stopped nearby. People are filling gallon jugs with the mineral water. It’s quite wonderful. I had a bath in the springs at the Roosevelt Mineral Baths. It was followed by a wonderful massage. It was wonderful. You ought to try it next time you’re in Saratoga Springs.

I met Shane Williams-Ness, the Director of Marketing for SPAC. It’s the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a covered, outdoor stage in Spa State Park, which is in the center of Saratoga Springs. She invited me to come and see the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. I went and the dancing was wonderful. One number even had the full company dancing in the nude. The whole evening was full of form and feeling. SPAC is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. It also is the summer home to rock concerts by the likes of the Dave Matthews Band.

SPAC has been around for around 50 years providing outstanding summer music events. It’s a very impressive organization run with a small staff and lots of interns. Spac.org will get you loads of info. Check it out next time you’re up there, you’re sure to have a wonderful evening.

One destination not to be missed if you love dance is the National Museum of Dance. It's located near Spa State Park and has wonderful exhibits about dance in all it's forms, everything from a room full of toe shoes to a walk of famous dancers. Dancemuseum.org will give you all the facts.

I had a couple of experiences in hotels, while in Saratoga Springs. The first place I stayed was the Saratoga Arms, a Victorian building which has rooms with very high ceilings and wonderful and friendly with delicious breakfasts. It is a fabulous spot and if you’re looking for comfort and quality is not to be missed.

The other place I stayed was the Holiday Inn of Saratoga springs. It’s a Holiday Inn, what else is there to say? It was spotlessly clean, modern and comfortable and if it lacked the charm of the Saratoga Arms, it was very reliable and secure. They have a shuttle service which will pick you up and deliver you practically anywhere in Saratoga for free. It’s a great bargain for transport and the hotel is very nice.

Saratoga Springs is a sweet small city, I'd go back in a flash.