Page 34 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – September/October 2019

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Everyone has a favorite time of year. While I do enjoy the holiday celebrations in winter, the flowers and fresh air of spring and the warm summer weather, autumn takes
the cake, I mean pie, for me. Beyond being overjoyed when pumpkin-spiced lattes show up on the coffee house menu, here in the Northeast, we are fortunate to experience the most colorful and festive of
seasons.
Living in Upstate New York, we are
only a short drive away from many of
the most popular places for leaf peeping like Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire. Honestly though, you can see some of the most beautiful fall foliage just cruising along the highways. Having a gorgeous group of mountains in the background as you drive out to your final destination doesn’t hurt the vista either.
Another reason fall is so fantastic here is
the impressive amount of apple orchards.
One of my favorite traditions growing up
was apple picking with my family at the
beginning of the season. Our orchard
visited most was Indian Ladder Farms in
Altamont, New York. Being the youngest
child, I used to look forward to my dad
hoisting me up on his shoulders to pick those shiny, red, hard to reach ones. While I might now be a bit too big for that, I have willingly passed the torch down to
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Photo: Shutterstock, Romiana Lee
the new generation. Apple picking is such a fun activity for the whole family. Plus, many apple orchards also have pumpkin patches and fall festivals. Some of these festivals include adult samplings of seasonal favorites like hard cider and pumpkin beer.
Speaking of pumpkins, fall also brings Halloween in
all its glory. New York State is the home of
the infamous Headless Horseman whose terrifying tale was told in Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” There are
so many thrilling destinations for Halloween Happenings within just a few hours of our area, including the Headless Horseman Hayride in Ulster Park. This particular event is not for the faint of heart. Other exciting events nearby include the Six Flags Fright Fest in Queensbury, Double M Haunted Hayrides in Ballston Spa and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson. Tip: If you’re planning to attend the Jack O’Lantern Blaze, get your tickets early. As it gets closer to
the actual holiday, they do sell out. Albany has its own haunted history that includes famous places like the Capitol Building and Ten Broeck Mansion. You actually can get themed tours of these mysterious marvels.
Whatever it is that you choose to do to celebrate the season, have a blast! To find apple orchards and fall events nearby, visit Albany.com.
Emily Gnacik is the Editor of AAA Every Day magazine.
Fall Favorites