The Lake George/Saratoga area is one of America’s most important historical sites, although it doesn’t get much fanfare.
The Battle of Saratoga (there were two, actually) in 1777 is considered the turning point of the American Revolution. After the Colonists kicked General Gentleman John Burgoyne’s self-important fanny (fun fact – the field commander responsible for America’s victory was Benedict Arnold), France began providing us with military aid. In fact, Saratoga is recognized as one of the 15 most decisive battles in world history.
Only a few miles up the road from Saratoga, Lake George and nearby Lake Champlain (a few miles east, on the New York-Vermont border) were the strategic hubs of the north-south trade routes between Canada and New York in the late 1700’s. One of the Colonies’ earliest victories in the Revolutionary War was the 1775 seizure by Ethan Allen’s Green Mountain Boys of Fort Ticonderoga (located on Lake Champlain, only a few miles from Lake George – the name “Ticonderoga” comes from an Iroquois word meaning “at the junction of two waterways”). Cannons from the fort were then sent to Boston to help lift the British siege there.
By the time Ginny and I got there, everything had calmed down and the area had turned into a haven of scenic beauty.
The Mohawk word for Saratoga is Serachtague, “place of swift water.” Saratoga Springs is famous for its mineral baths, which Ginny and I indulged in. It’s also known for its swift horses at the vintage racing track in town, which had closed for the season by the time we got there (although we attended a race day there a few years ago – it’s one of the classic venues in all of sports). The term “upset” is part of our sporting lexicon because the horse Upset was the only horse ever to defeat the legendary Man-O-War, and it happened at a 1921 race in Saratoga. A few years later, in the early days of the NFL, Art Rooney used a big Saratoga track payday to keep his Pittsburgh Steelers in business, at a time when the team was on such shaky financial footing that Rooney said, “The biggest thrill wasn’t in winning on Sunday but in meeting the payroll on Monday.”
As we were setting up and unpacking in our Lake George campground (the nicest place we’ve stayed on the entire trip) Friday afternoon, we discovered via social media that two of our best friends from Tuscaloosa, Robert and Ruth Reynolds, were staying in Saratoga Springs. After a couple of phone calls, we ended up spending the evening with Robert and Ruth. 
Saturday was our long-anticipated reunion with Rebecca Graham. Rebecca and her husband Jesse were dear friends of ours in Litchfield. It’s hard to believe it’s been over six years since we lost Jesse to cancer. Rebecca now splits her time between New York City, where she works, and Lake George, where she has reunited with her teenage boyfriend Rich. Together, we had a happy day. Jesse would’ve wanted it that way.
We got back to the rig in time to watch Alabama-Texas A&M, which turned out a lot better than Oregon-Stanford did later that night.
Our other anticipated event in Lake George was the Adirondack Balloon Festival, for which we woke up at 5:00am Sunday morning. Held at the nearby municipal airport, it featured 100 hot-air balloons launching shortly after sunrise. Part of the event’s charm was its informality – we were able to mingle among the balloonists as they set up.
And when they all rose with the sun, it was a sight to behold!
After an exhilarating morning of balloons, our afternoon was tranquil. We explored the town of Saratoga Springs, then went to the Roosevelt Spa for a mineral bath. Well, it was mostly tranquil – as we soaked in our tubs, the background music was harps, cellos, oboes…and the thrum of the nearby Willie Nelson concert.
Next stop, New Hampshire – the White Mountains and Mount Washington.
Glad you make the most of life !!! Enjoy 😊
Renate McKnight