To my dearest friends of the 518: How many times have you heard, "I can't WAIT to get out of this place!" What about, "Oh my God, I'm so BORED! There's never anything to do!" If we're being honest here, maybe you've even said those things yourself. But, if you're like me, you'd know that these silly little phrases aren't always all that true. Between the classic fun places we go and all of that beautiful, rural land surrounding our capital region, how COULD they be true? If you still don't believe me, read on.

I bet you can guess the first thing I'm going to mention. Think you've got it? Of course you do. Lake George is the home of so many memories and so much laughter. From boat rides and tubing to classic lake camp traditions, it is inevitable that this place would be so near and dear to our hearts.

BUT, we absolutely cannot forget about all of the other wonderful little bodies of water that patiently await us to rip our jet skis through them every summer. Little places like Saranac Lake and Dyken Pond hold some of the best lake communities in the region (and DEFINITELY some of the best private Fourth of July fireworks).

Even other beautiful lakes like the Great Sacandaga are totally worth the road trip.

Can you guess what's next? Saratoga Springs: the highlight of our summers when we AREN'T at the lake. Seriously, if you don't dress up with your friends and family to go to watch the horses at the track, spend a good old summer night at SPAC every once in a while, or even eat around in the city's delicious restaurants, I am volunteering to bring you.

Spending the day at the track is definitely one of my personal favorites. Even if you don't like getting fancy in the big hats and sundresses (but honestly, how could you not?), the horse betting is always a reason for some laughter. Whether you strategize for hours in advance like me, placing each bet with careful precision and technique, or you just like the horse's name, throwing a quick two bucks down here and there is a cheap way to have a whole lot of fun.

And of course, Saratoga Springs is home of the one, the only: Stewart's. Our beloved little convenience store/best ice cream place ever is a privilege granted only to those of Upstate New York (and some in Vermont, but for the purpose of this article, let's forget them for now). That's right ladies and gentlemen, we are lucky enough to be the only people on earth with the privilege of eating Stewart's ice cream. They even change the names of their flavors for track season. See? It all ties together.

Now for my adventure people: let's talk about the less explored and the more beautiful. As you well know, we are SURROUNDED by mountains. That is nothing new. But how many of them have you actually explored? Between the Catskills, the Green Mountains, and the Adirondacks, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, hiking, camping, and anything else mountain-related has never been so easy. If you have yet to explore these beautiful, rugged areas, maybe start with a ski season at Jiminy Peak (yes, technically this is in Massachusetts, but it's so close, how could we not?).

Still, you don't have to climb up a mountain to enjoy the beauty of Upstate New York. Whether you prefer an old dirt road lined with open hay fields and the sweet sight of a red sunset or the greenest trees you'll ever see on one of a million view spots, Upstate New York truly is an outdoorsman's paradise. One of my all time favorites is the Grafton Fire Tower.

Located about a mile down a windy dirt road big enough for only one car, this old, abandoned fire tower stands tall and strong, looking over Albany, Saratoga Springs, and Bennington, Vermont. Oh, and the greatest sunrise you will ever see. Ever. The tower itself exudes adventure from the moment you park your car in front of the "Do Not Enter" gate and hike up that steep path to that first step you take on your climb up, realizing that every step slowly gets narrower, and the whole thing shakes with each movement. But don't worry, it's safe.

After you've officially reached zen because of that wonderful sunset you just watched (or maybe you need to achieve zen after that scary, shaky climb), you can stay in the small town of Grafton and head on over to the Grafton Peace Pagoda. One of three peace pagodas in the whole country, this breathtaking area is one that will relax you even further with a soothing nature walk and the beauty of silence.

Can't get enough of this Grafton place? Why don't we just stay in this area a little while? If you head on down a bit further towards Petersburg, New York, I guarantee you, you won't regret it. Take a hike to the Snow Hole on the Petersburg Pass towards Williamstown, Massachusetts. This 3-mile hike is easy going and beautiful, but the end result is even cooler (literally). The Snow Hole is a cold cave that, supposedly, the sun never hits and thus, the snow never melts. While I can be an eyewitness to the fact that this legend isn't always the most accurate, it does get remarkably cold as you descend down into this cave. Talk about a heat wave on the way back up, though.

If we put all of these things, and more, together, we can a beautiful, humbling, and spontaneous mixture that defines the 518. Farmers markets filled with fresh fruits and veggies are 15 minutes away from cities and malls. Mountains and adventures are but a driving's distance from lakes and ponds. A quick ATV ride or snowmobile run is just as easy as accessible as a run through the city. I could go on and on about all of the opportunities that our beautiful home has to offer. All of these truly hidden gems may not always be the most widely known, but with a little curiosity and a touch of adventure, Upstate New York, may just win your heart, just like it has mine.