All Over Albany

Lunch at the Victoria Pool

Sunshine, water, gin and bacon -- all high on the list of things that make us happy.

Track, schmack. Don't get us wrong, the race course is pretty and can be a lot of fun, but when we can steal a little summer time in Saratoga, we prefer hanging at the Victoria Pool.

We've mentioned the pool before, but here's why we like it so much.

First -- the setting is gorgeous. We love the archways that surround the pool and anchor Spa State Park. It's a throwback to a 1920's kind of casual opulence. Makes you feel a bit like Gatsby -- but without the problems.

Also, it's really well kept. The grounds and the pool are gorgeous and very clean.

At $8 per person it's a bit more expensive than the nearby peerless pool which attracts more kids and families, but you don't have to pay to park, and it's quieter.

But here's the part we really like. Lunch by the pool complete with you're favorite summer cocktail. Catherine's on the Park serves appetizers, sandwiches, salads and cocktails on a poolside patio. It's a great way to relax and soak in the sun -- and it's a reasonably priced way to kind of spoil yourself a little. We're partial to the Hawthorn sandwich(Turkey, bacon and guacamole) but there are lots of others to choose from. The ones we've tried are good -- made better because they're being enjoyed with a gin and tonic by a lovely pool. A sandwich is about $8 and our gin and tonics ran about $6 a piece.

The sunshine is free -- if you can get it.