Today we traveled quite a while on the bus, our home away from home. It was a beautiful ride through the upstate New York countryside and one small town after another. I still am in awe of how green everything is in this part of the country. We picked up our guide for the day, Jim Hughto, in Halfmoon, named after Henry Hudson’s ship.
View from Fort Ticonderoga
Our first official stop was a battle field just outside Fort Ticonderoga. The fort was originally built by the French between 1754 and 1757 to protect water access and their trading routes from the British. The name comes from the Iroquois meaning “it is at the junction of two waterways.” The river portage between Lakes Champlain and George was essential to trade routes in order to be able to avoid the rapids of the La Chute River and the fort served that purpose. In 1758, only 3,000-4,000 French soldiers were able to hold their own against 16,000 British troops. And then during the Revolutionary War, in May of 1775, the Green Mountain Boys other militia captured the fort in a surprise attack led by Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. The Americans managed to hang onto control until June, 1777, when the British took the high ground and the Americans left the fort and areas nearby. Jim gave accounts of all of these battles and pointed out the specific spots of significance. This fort was the site of many important, strategic battles that I didn’t know much about until now. Jim contends that the fort was not the “Gibraltar of America ,”as it had outlived its usefulness as warfare changed. The fort protected from naval attack, but to win, required coming out of the fort and keeping control of the land. There is something very special about visiting battlefields and realizing the sacrifice and courage of those who believed enough their own country’s values to risk their lives to save their way of life. It is humbling and inspirational. We need to protect our country in order to preserve the rights we have taken for granted. This is a beautiful part of upstate New York, and I am so glad this was included our itinerary.
We boarded the bus for Saratoga and drove through several small towns. Jim pointed out where he was when he learned that President Kennedy had been assassinated; I, too, remember it vividly, and Jim and I are about the same age.
Saratoga was the turning point for the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War. After the Patriot’s victory, France decided to join the Americans. I have yet to teach this, so I will need to study more about this site and will use this new information in my classroom.
Dinner at Salty’s was the absolute best! Grrrreat food and lots of it. We continued to marvel as the plates were being served. This was a fine way to wrap-up our expedition.
Seafood is served!
