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The Schroon River as it meanders past our RV Park near Lake George
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At the bottom of the bank behind one RV . . .
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View of Lake Champlain from outside Fort Ticonderoga. Good place to build a fort . . .
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Whenever a battle was won, the cannon were captured. This is a Spanish cannon, at least twice removed
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The fort was restored starting in 1909 by the Pell family, who had bought the property a few years earlier for a home
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The fort flies all the flags that ever flew there.
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A cannon like this could easily hit an enemy gun placement on those highlands over there
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These guys were using period tools (but modern dimension lumber) to build a period pirogue
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This is the apprentice boatbuilder. The master is the barefoot guy in the background
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And also the Aslaksons . . . .
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Probably officer's quarters at one end of the parade ground
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Re-enactors always add a sense of authenticity to places like this
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Some of the fifers practice before their performance
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The full company enters the parade ground
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Their uniforms d'jour were French, as were most of their tunes
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This guy wore several figurative hats - he led the band, he fired the cannon . . .
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We suspect the local high school has a fife class . . .
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All in all, a nce performance
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Lots of exhibits of stuff from when the fort was in use
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The views of Lake Champlain from the fort were, as expected, spectacular
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Multi-tasking, the Fife & Drum Corps prepare to demonstrate the cannon
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But first, the apprentice boat builder shoots a musket . . .
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Gunfire always draws a crowd . . .
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First you clean the barrel . .
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Then you load the charge . . .
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Then you light the fuse . . .
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And when it works, you get what the crowd came for
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He looks satisfied . . .
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These mortars lobbed large shells long distances with good accuracy
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Near the fort, the entrance to the Pell Family's formal garden . . .
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A most impressive entranceway
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A peek of beauty to come
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The garden was entirely enclosed by the brick walls
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Hollyhocks!, said Judy
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The gardens were planted as four season - supposed to look good all year long
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Restoration of the house itself is about to begin (and just in time)
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Really special place . . .
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Globe thistles. The bluish ones are the blooms
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The piper was coming to work as we were leaving . . .
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Our last look as we left the fort
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In the town of Ticonderoga NY, a pretty waterfall moves water from Lake George to Lake Champlain
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A nifty mural in Warrensburg NY
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Near the RV Park. It's not easy to do that . . .
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We didn't cruise on this boat . . .
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We went out on this one
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The Minne-ha-ha had an actual working sternwheel
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And an actual working calliope (with a not-so-great calliope player)
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In 2 1/2 hours, we covered about half the lake
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That boat is used for dinner cruises. It carries the original French name for Lake George
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Seems like every beach has a paraglider ride
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Does look like fun . . .
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There are several tour boats on Lake George. Here's another
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Lots of boats in assorted marinas
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And lots of islands to visit in those boats
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The lake freezes solid in the winter, so all the boats are warm-weather only
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Those are the Green Mountains of Vermont over there
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Fishing, sailing, skiing - all in one shot!
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Folks having fun . . .
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Lake George Yacht Club
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Some folks aren't into the leisurely pace of a boat ride . . .
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The Sagamore Hotel is the last of the great lake resort hotels . . . .
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It sits on its own island, just a causeway away from the mainland
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There are over 200 islands - some are pretty small
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Many have campsites, many more have picnic areas
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All part of the state park system
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Go camping - become a tourist attraction!
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It's quite nice
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The boat company calls it a "cruise". Kinda sorta . . . .
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The lake is entirely spring fed, and also serves as the drinking water supply for many estates
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Obviously not one of your rustic-type islands
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One of the owners of the Boston Redsox lives here part-time
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Reciprocal sight-seeing
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Looks like fun
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You can see why it's a popular place
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Lots of rooms with a view around the lake
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Our captain, looking nautical
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There's the paddlewheeler again . . .
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This "cottage" has its own waterfall and marina
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The Peabody estate from the water side
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Approaching the tour boat dock . . .
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Now, he's not looking very nautical . . .
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Crew change waiting to come aboard and set up for the dinner cruise
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Lots of pseudo-lighthouses around the lake
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A major renovation of a home on the Peabody estate
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Inside the local McDonalds
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Finally, you may have to say the store name out loud to get it . . . .