INSIDE SCOOP

ICE CREAM PARLOR: 11:30AM-8PM DAILY YEAR-ROUND

We were checking in to The Bond in Warrensburg during this year’s Americade. We were telling the young woman showing us around about Backroads and I mentioned that we were hoping to nd some great ice cream during our visit. Her eyes lit up and she said, emphatically, that we HAD TO go to Battenkill Valley Creamery in Salem, NY. With such a resounding recommendation how could we not, so we plotted a nice day’s ride with a little something for Brian and an afternoon pick-me-up of ice cream to tide us over before dinner. After making our stop at Ulysses S. Grant’s Cottage in Gansevoort, NY (certainly a must-see when up in the Lake George area), we meandered east over the Hudson River and on some very tasty country roads to the outskirts of Salem, NY. Nestled along the Black Creek you’ll nd the bucolic farm, owned and operated by the McEachron family. They have been dairy farming in the Battenkill Valley region of upstate NY for more than a century, starting out in 1902, making a move in 1945 to their current location and never looking back. From their grandfather’s 12 cows to their current herd of over 350 Holsteins, Jerseys and crossbreeds, the McEachrons have been making award-winning dairy products and keeping people happy and healthy for a long time. In 2003 the idea of bottling their own milk on the farm took hold and over the next several years, the plan took off, with major renovations and equipment bought and installed. February 15, 2008 saw the

rst day of processing, with milk going from cow to bottle in less than 8 hours, some of the freshest milk you will ever taste. Just a year later, they began producing their own truly homemade, super premium ice cream and the following May they opened their ice cream parlor. Pulling into their lot, we saw several picnic tables and chairs scattered across the green lawn with folks enjoying the warm, sunny day and cool ice cream. Battenkill has a walk-up ice cream window as well

as an indoor market for service. We went in to see what other farm products they may have for our enjoyment later that day, as well as see the ice cream choices. There was a baker’s dozen on the menu this day, as well as their soft serve. We settled on a cup of Maple Walnut and Almond Joy for me and a waf e cone of Coffee and Salted Caramel for Brian. As they say, ‘From Our Cows to Your Cone.’ Should you decide you need a little more than either cup or cone, there are Creamery Creations such as the McEachron Masterpiece: choice of ice cream over homemade brownie with homemade hot fudge, caramel and nuts; Coffee Chart Topper: Coffee ice cream with Heath bar, caramel and nuts; or perhaps the Countless Cookies: Cookie Dough ice cream with Oreos, hot fudge and caramel. And if these are just not creative enough for you, go ahead and make your own from a large list of mixings, toppings and ice cream avors. They will also serve you up a milk shake, regular or extra thick, root beer oat or banana split. Their servings are large and their prices are very reasonable. We took a seat in the shade of the barn to enjoy our mid-day treat and did a little people watching. What could be better than enjoying some truly wonderful homemade ice cream on the farm it was created on a beautiful Autumn day during Americade week before heading back on some scenic farm roads. Battenkill Creamery is open 7 days a week, year-round, from 11:30am to 8pm. They sell pre-packaged ice cream, as well as their other ultra-fresh dairy items and a number of delicious local products in the shop (selfserve from 6-11:30am). If you live in the greater Saratoga Springs area, you can get home delivery so you will never have to be without ice cream in your home. How wonderful is that! ,