July 2, 2008

July 2, 2008

The city of Lake George, NY is on the southern end of a long narrow lake of the same name. We follow the western shoreline north to where it flows into Lake Champlain. We stop and hike a section of the River Walk Trail along the waterfall-filled La Chute River that connects the two lakes.

Lake Champlain is bordered on both sides by heavily forested hills. Situated on a peninsula at the southern end of the lake is Fort Ticonderoga. Lying on the major water route from New York to Montreal, the fort played pivotal roles in the French and Indian war as well as the Revolution. Three weeks after the Revolution started and before the news spread, Ethan Allen led a surprise attack capturing the fort. George Washington had the large cannons dragged in winter over the mountains to Boston, forcing the British to vacate the city.

The fort is owned by a private group and has a stiff admission fee. We walk the reconstructed fort and peruse the museum. Although the history side is weak, the museum has tons of 18th century artifacts, especially decorated powder horns. After leaving the fort we drive up to the top of nearby Mt. Defiance for an awesome aerial view of the fort and surrounding lake.

From Ticonderoga, we follow Lake Champlain north, spending the night at a private park in Westport, NY.