A Visit to Fort Ticonderoga, Part 1

Fort Ticonderoga, an historic site in New York near the Vermont border (Lake Champlain) has everything: breathtaking views of the Adirondack high peaks, walking paths through gardens and restored pre-colonial buildings, hands-on stuff and lots of climbing and exploring for the kids, and oodles and oodles of ancient history– well, as ancient as America can [...]

Blue Mountain Public Beach and Park, Rt 28

The drive on Route 28 from Utica to Blue Mountain is a cornucopia of sights, sounds and smells. We catch glimpses of azure lakes peeping between the Scotch pines and Douglas fir trees that stand at attention on each side of the road. I often have a difficult time staying in the lane, because the [...]

Oneida Indian Settlement, Nichols Pond, in Smithfield

This is the historic site of the ancient lands of the Oneida Indian tribe of Central New York. It was also the resting place of the mysterious glacial erratic stone, sacred to the Oneidas. The place oozes history, archaeology, and wonder, with a strong mix of nature and spookiness mixed in. This is also the spot where Samuel de Chaplain and his Huron friends attacked the hapless Oneidas, hearing gunshots for the first time.

Happy Birthday, Fort Stanwix!

Oh, how we love Fort Stanwix! Fort Stanwix, in Rome, NY, was built during the French and Indian War, to provide protection for “The Carry.” The Carry was a trail on dry ground between the popular waterways, Wood Creek and the Mohawk River. It was so named because settlers and traders had to hop out [...]

State Parks Open This Memorial Day Weekend

Great news for New Yorkers! All state parks will be open for Memorial Day weekend. New York lawmakers have voted to keep all state parks, historic sites and campgrounds open this year. The Senate’s 32-27 vote Friday afternoon came after earlier Assembly approval and cleared the legislation for Gov. David Paterson’s signature. It provides $11 [...]

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