Family Traditions and Lakeside Adventures: Our Annual Trip to Ballston Lake

Every summer, our family looks forward to the trip to Ballston Lake, NY, where we reconnect with Erik’s grandparents and soak in the peaceful surroundings. This year was no different, but it came with its own set of adventures and moments we’ll cherish. From early morning flights to cozy boat rides, this trip reminded us once again why we make the journey year after year.

Friday – Early Start and a Long Travel Day

We began our trip with a 3:30 am wake-up call, the kind of start that’s both exciting and exhausting. We packed up quickly and headed out to The Parking Spot, our go-to airport parking lot. Although we had a slight delay waiting for the shuttle, we made it to the airport in plenty of time to check in. As a nice surprise, we ran into one of Madi’s old classmates, who was also on our flight to Detroit.

Madi and I were upgraded to first class, thanks to some regional upgrade certificates. Breakfast on board was a treat—Jules particularly loved my breakfast pizza, while Madi wasn’t quite as impressed with her French toast, which was fluffier than usual.

After landing in Detroit, we had a quick lunch at Leo’s Coney Island. The girls and I shared chicken fingers and fries, while Erik went for a turkey melt that came highly recommended by the waitress. After lunch, we found a small play area for the girls, but soon enough it was nap time. Erik walked them around in the stroller while I relaxed, waiting for our next flight. However, our flight to Albany ended up being delayed.

When we finally took off, the real drama began. A storm was rolling in just as we approached Albany, forcing us to circle the airport for what felt like forever. Eventually, we were diverted to Buffalo to refuel. I was half asleep for most of it and was completely shocked when I saw where we were on the map. After about 40 minutes on the ground in Buffalo, we finally made it back to Albany—turning what should have been a short flight into a 3.5-hour ordeal.

Despite the delays, we were so happy to finally arrive at Erik’s grandparent’s house. We were welcomed with a comforting dinner of homemade mac and cheese, the perfect ending to a long travel day. Exhausted, we got the girls ready for bed and went straight to sleep ourselves, eager to rest up for the fun ahead.

Saturday – A Perfect Day on the Lake

The next morning started early, as usual, with Jules. We spent the morning playing with toys around the house, while Grandpa made his famous oatmeal for breakfast. There’s just something about the way he adds walnuts, dates, and raisins that makes it unforgettable—definitely not your standard oatmeal.

While Erik went to pick up the Turo rental car with Grandpa, the rest of us took a lovely morning walk around the neighborhood. The weather was beautiful, and it was the perfect way to start the day. Back at the house, Jules needed her nap, and Erik took Madi to the grocery store, while I tried to nap away a lingering headache.

In the afternoon, we went on a relaxing boat ride across Ballston Lake, taking in the fresh air and peaceful waters. There’s nothing quite like being out on the boat, enjoying the scenery. For dinner, we had a delicious meal of chicken Swiss with green beans, followed by Grandma’s famous cookies for dessert—a sweet end to a perfect day.

Sunday: A Relaxed Day at Home

Sunday was another wonderfully lazy day, perfect for recharging. We started with a simple breakfast of eggs and toast before heading to Stewart’s elementary school for some playground fun. The girls had a blast, and it was nice to get out for a little while. Later in the afternoon, we helped with chores around the house, both inside and outside. It felt good to lend a hand, and the girls even got involved, helping to pick up sticks and tidy the yard.

For dinner, we had a delicious meal of salmon and corn on the cob. I have to say, the corn in New York is hands down better than anything we can get in Utah. It was sweet, juicy, and the perfect end to a relaxed day at the lake house.

Monday: Ice Cream and Farm Adventures

We had plans to visit one of Grandpa’s friends who has ponies that we see every year, but when we arrived, no one was home. No worries, though—we decided to head to King Brother’s Dairy for ice cream and a chance to see the cows. Unfortunately, they had stopped doing farm tours, but the ice cream alone made the trip worth it.

I went with the banana cream and PB OMG flavors, which were both amazing. Erik picked Twixiland, but it didn’t live up to his expectations, and Madi, of course, chose Monster Mash because it was blue! Jules shared my ice cream, enthusiastically exclaiming how cold it was with every bite. Before we left, we decided to grab a few pints to go: the highly recommended vanilla, peaches and cream, and sweet corn—which was a surprising but delicious flavor!

On our way back, we stopped for lunch at Farmer’s Daughter, a local spot serving traditional American food. I got a cheeseburger, Erik had the double bacon cheeseburger, and the girls had chicken fingers, of course. The fries were crispy and delicious, and the staff was incredibly sweet. After we got back home and Jules finished her nap, the rest of the afternoon was spent helping with chores. Madi and Jules helped clear the yard and sweep the driveway, while Erik and Grandpa tackled fixing the riding lawn mower. Dinner was simple with leftovers, and after that, Madi, Grandma, and I went for another walk around the neighborhood, which has become one of our favorite evening routines.

Tuesday: Work and Lake Chores

Tuesday was a bit different. Jules woke up early, so I took the opportunity to catch up on some work projects. By 6 am, I was in full work mode, and I managed to make significant progress. We decided to stay home all day, giving me a chance to focus and not fall too far behind with work.

In the afternoon, Erik and Madi ventured down to the lake to swim, but the water was still a little too cold for Madi to fully enjoy it. Erik, being the trooper that he is, decided to get some lake weeding done to help out Grandpa. Later, we enjoyed a dinner of slow-cooked baked beans and Grandpa’s famous apple salad, which is absolutely to die for!

It was a low-key day, but the tranquility of the lake made it peaceful. Even on the quiet days, there’s something about Ballston Lake that makes everything feel special and serene.

Wednesday: Adventures at Saratoga Spa Park and Route 50 Diner

Jules woke up early again, and Erik, being the early riser, took care of her while I tried to sleep off a headache. We had planned a park and pool day, but after a slow start, we only made it to Saratoga Spa State Park. The girls had a blast at the playground, running around and trying out the different slides and swings. We also sampled water from the natural springs nearby, which was quite the experience. Some of the mineral water tasted pretty harsh, but it was fun for everyone to explore.

By the time we finished at the park, it was getting late for lunch, and we decided to skip the pool. We found a cute little spot called Route 50 Diner. The staff was incredibly friendly, accommodating our large group with ease. I couldn’t resist ordering the lumberjack breakfast, which included a choice between pancakes and French toast, eggs, home fries, and bacon. I went with the French toast and shared it with the girls, though we ended up getting them their own breakfast plate as well. Erik ordered the House Arrest sandwich—turkey, cheese, and fries—which was fantastic. Grandma had the tuna melt, and Grandpa enjoyed biscuits and gravy. We left the diner stuffed but happy with such a satisfying meal.

On our way home, we made a stop at Smith’s Orchard and Bake Shop, a must whenever we’re in New York. We picked up two pies—apple and peach/apple—because you can’t leave without their delicious baked goods. Back at the house, Jules napped while Erik and Grandpa worked on the lawn mower, and the rest of us relaxed, watching the rain roll in.

For dinner, we grabbed pizza from Marcella’s. We split two large pizzas: one with breakfast and veggie toppings, the other half with meat crazy and RRP chicken, though they forgot the chicken. To make it right, they gave us ice cream sandwiches, but we saved those for later since we had pie from Smith’s and vanilla ice cream from King Brother’s Dairy. Even though the rain kept us from the lake, we still had a wonderful day filled with good food and cozy moments indoors.

Thursday: A Paddleboard Morning and Afternoon Storms

Thursday morning, I decided to head to Orangetheory Fitness (OTF). After indulging in all the delicious food and drinks, it felt like the right time to burn some calories. The workout was tough, but I felt great afterward, clocking over 600 calories burned.

Back at the house, we had breakfast and then Madi and I ventured out onto the lake with the paddleboard. It was incredibly peaceful, just the two of us paddling around, soaking in the serene beauty of Ballston Lake. Later, we played outside before lunch and nap time.

In the afternoon, we had planned to go back into the lake, but an unexpected thunderstorm rolled in just as Jules woke up. While the storm interrupted our plans for a lake swim, we enjoyed the rain from the comfort of the house, appreciating the cozy, relaxing atmosphere as dinner preparations began.

Friday: The Altamont Fair and Finally a Swim

I started my Friday with another 5 am workout at OTF. It might seem crazy to wake up that early on vacation, but I was glad I went. Another solid workout made me feel energized and ready for the day ahead.

After breakfast, we headed to the Altamont Fair. The girls loved seeing all the barn animals, and Madi even got to ride a few of the fair’s rides. We had lamb gyros and popcorn for lunch, and Madi begged for cotton candy, which of course, we couldn’t resist. After the fair, we returned to the house so Jules could take her nap, while Erik and Grandpa ran some errands.

Finally, the weather cleared up, and we were able to get into the lake in the afternoon. Even Jules, who had been hesitant about the water earlier, had a great time. Being in the lake felt refreshing for all of us, and somehow, it even seemed to ease the back pain I’d been dealing with for a few days. We wrapped up the evening with showers and a comforting baked ziti dinner. It was a perfect end to the day.

Saturday: Pancakes and a Windy Boat Ride

Saturday started off with some of Grandpa's famous blueberry pancakes with a side of bacon, a tradition that we always look forward to. Despite the forecast predicting rain, the weather cleared up long enough for us to enjoy a boat ride across Ballston Lake. The ride out was peaceful, and I soaked in the greenery and calm waters. The ride back, however, was a bit chilly and chaotic with the girls not wanting to sit still for more than a few seconds. Still, being out on the water, feeling the breeze, and watching the landscape pass by was a wonderful way to spend the morning.

After lunch, which consisted of leftovers, Jules napped while Erik and Grandpa worked on trimming some trees around the property. In the afternoon, we made a quick trip to Lakeside Farms to pick up fresh corn on the cob and some maple syrup to bring home. Dinner that evening was more leftovers and the fresh corn, which was as sweet and delicious as ever.

After dinner, Grandma, Madi, and I went on a long 2.3-mile walk, starting from the house and following a bike path along the nearby railroad tracks. We often hear trains pass by, and Madi loves watching them. To end the day, we watched a movie Grandma had been excited to share with us: Arthur the King. It was a cute film, and it was nice to spend the evening doing something Grandma was really looking forward to.

Sunday: Packing and Preparing to Leave

Sunday was our last full day, and most of it was spent at the house preparing to head home. I like to do laundry before we leave so that unpacking is easier when we get back, so we focused on that and other small chores around the house. Erik returned the Turo rental car, which served us well during the trip, though it didn't convince us that we needed an Infiniti.

The girls kept busy picking up fallen sticks from the yard and throwing them into the green waste bin. Madi, in particular, loved hunting for mushrooms, which were surprisingly large after the recent rains. I spent a lot of time sitting by the lake, taking in the stillness and quiet. The lake was mostly empty that day because of the chilly weather, which made it feel even more serene.

The day was spent appreciating our last moments with family before the early wake-up call on Monday. We tried to get everyone to bed early, knowing the long travel day ahead of us.

Monday: Early Flights and a Smooth Journey Home

We woke up at 3:20 am on Monday to finish packing the last few items and load everything into the car. By 3:45 am, we were on the road, heading to the airport for our 6:00 am flight. Everything went smoothly with check-in and security. Since we had the stroller, we were allowed to bypass the TSA PreCheck line and instead went through the wheelchair line, which ended up saving us a lot of time.

Madi and I were upgraded again on our flight from Albany to Detroit, and I took advantage of the time in the air to message Delta about using our last regional upgrade certificate for the second leg of our trip. Luckily, we were able to get on the waitlist for the flight from Detroit to Salt Lake City.

When we landed in Detroit, we had to race down 50 gates to catch our connecting flight, which was already boarding. We made it just in time, and to our surprise, Madi and I were upgraded to first class again, with seats next to each other. I was so relieved! The gate agents had preemptively set us up, and I thanked them for their thoughtfulness.

We enjoyed a meal on the flight—Madi got pancakes, and I had a Swiss omelet. Madi was so tired that she fell asleep mid-meal, croissant in hand. Jules woke up as the food was brought out and ended up eating most of my omelet. Both girls enjoyed some apple juice, which was a first for Jules.

The rest of the flight went smoothly, thanks to seat-back TVs keeping the kids entertained. We landed in Salt Lake around 10 am, and everything from there went like clockwork. Our luggage arrived quickly, the shuttle to the parking lot was waiting when we arrived, and we were able to get on the road soon after. We stopped at Huckleberry Grill for a bite to eat before heading home, where we quickly unloaded the car.

Later that afternoon, I went to pick up Maple, and by evening, the whole family was back together. Although I was happy to be back in our own space, I found it harder to leave New York this time. As our time at Ballston Lake came to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the special moments we had this year. The stillness and beauty of the lake always brings a sense of calm, offering the perfect backdrop for quality time with family. From morning boat rides and lazy afternoons by the water, to our walks along the trails and enjoying the simple pleasure of watching the girls explore, the lake has truly become a second home in our hearts.

Spending this time with Erik’s grandparents was a wonderful reminder of the value of family and tradition. Each meal, every story shared, and the time spent playing with the girls made this trip so meaningful. Watching Madi and Jules enjoy the same lake that Erik grew up visiting and has been a cherished part of our summers for years felt like a full-circle moment. As the girls grow older, I can only hope they continue to create memories here, feeling as connected to this place as we do.

There’s a part of me that wonders if one day we might live here too. The peace and beauty of Ballston Lake, combined with the closeness to family, makes it feel like a place we could call home. For now, we are grateful for these yearly trips, for the opportunity to unplug from the hustle of everyday life, and for the chance to connect with loved ones in such a special place. We look forward to returning, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find ourselves spending even more time on the lake in the years to come.