Yaddo
Yaddo
Saratoga, NY
http://yaddo.org
When you exit I87 in Saratoga, and turn to the track, you come to a red light. Look to the left, and you will see a sign, “Yaddo”.
Drive down the meandering road, past the ponds, and the road forks. To the right, the sign reads “Private.”
Of course, you proceed to the left, to the parking lot, and follow the signs to the gardens.
Yaddo is a beautiful botanical garden with a mixed purpose. The gardens, yes, are open to the public. But as you strut across the lawn towards the first fountain, you may, by happenchance, glance to the right and see an astonishing large mansion and stop to catch your breath.
“A private residence”, you say? Perhaps a long lost uncle who forgot about you in his will?
This grandly estate is a retreat for artists: Composers, photographers, writers. Once the grand estate of financier Spencer Trask, Spencer and his wife left it as a place to “to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment.” (yaddo.org)
Artists from all over the world come here to work on their creations in solitude on a 400 acre estate.
The rest of us must make do with the gardens, which certainly are open to the public. They offer a wide variety of varietals and sculptures, and, if you get there off-hours, you can sneak some of your own solitude.
Photos follow. Directions on web site.