Lake George – “The Queen of American Lakes”

Reading a magazine, I saw an article about the most attractive vacation in the world. According to it, Lake George is one of the 10 places where you must spend some quality time. Of course the article didn’t make me go there, as I was already there but, the article provoked me more. So let’s discover the area step by step.
The first day I went to explore the surroundings with my lovely niece and my brave nephews, as they had already been in Lake George many times. One of the twins said: „hey Aunt Dana let’s show you some history”. Leaving the camping area, as we had chosen to sleep under the stars, to wake up with the smell of the forest, to sit around the campfire, roasting marshmallows, hearing the birds’ concert… Amazing! We reached the Battleground Park where there is a statue of a priest who is missing three fingers.

The legend my nephew told me says: „ Father Isaac Jogues was captured by Indians who left him without fingers and then he escaped from them. This lake (he pointed to the lake) was discovered by this priest who named it: Lac du Saint Sacrament. The name of the lake was changed later in honor of King George of England”.
As we can see, the town has a lot of history; it also hosts the Fort William Henry and, even more, the famous writer James Fenimore Cooper used its history as the background for his well-known book “The Last of Mohicans”. The Fort is opened to the public as a museum and you may spend a whole day visiting it, while the staff offers fun history lessons with loud shows of past military battles. I didn’t visit it as we had only a week and there were a too many events to attend, but my nephews gave me a short review of what they had experienced on another occasion.
The second day, as the weather was appropriate for „Million dollar beach” we went there. Of course I had heard some rumors “why did they call the beach like this; it’s not worth it”. The name comes from the amount spent for sand and not for accommodation. I must admit that the sand, the location, the beach are worth every penny! Million Dollar State Beach is the largest beach in the Lake George area. The beach is run by the state of New York and boasts lifeguards (as you may read a book or a magazine without being scared that your kids need to be watched by you every second), a picnic area in the Battleground Park, which is across the beach, restrooms, a sand volleyball court, where you may play or watch some organized games and even daily locker rentals.

The same day, in the evening, we took a ride on the lake with the “Mohican” ship, where for twenty dollars for an adult you may have dinner, a one hour and a half cruise, you may drink as much as you can carry and, most importantly, you will find that inner peace, seeing how the sky becomes one with the lake and where the mountains are the welcoming and brave hosts. My cruise will be the topic of another story, as there are too many words and even these won’t be able to reveal the piece of heaven you can find in this place and which Thomas Jefferson described so beautifully: „Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into a basin thirty-five miles long and from two to four miles broad, finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal and the mountain sides covered with rich groves of silver fir, white pine, aspen and paper birch down to the water, here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from monotony. An abundance of speckled trout, salmon trout, bass, and other fish with which it is stored, have added to our other amusements the sport of taking them.”

It is a town you will never forget! I spent one week in Lake George and it wasn’t enough. As it has a very good location, you may easily reach the Saratoga Springs NY, a town which hosts the well-known Saratoga Race Course where there is no limit to the variety of fun, as we spent a whole day with other friendly bettors, along with my family. Lake George is a town for lovers, family or singles. I think a month is not enough to discover and enjoy all the opportunities and attractions which the place has to offer, and I’m not blathering. We had another memorable day at The Great Escape & Spalshwater Kingdom. You may go there daily and you will never have enough of it!
As a single, or if you want to hang out with your friends, you may easily get involved in an exciting nightlife where nobody will be rude, there are a lot of clubs, bars where you may sip your drink or dance, or enjoy a show at a local dinner theater or you may “catch a rising star in a comedy club” or you can just stop walking and start listening to one of the street’s bands or stare at the fireworks.
On a rainy day you may take the children to the game machines where they can happily spend many hours with just a few dollars, earning tickets and choosing gifts. You may also give it a try as they have a large diversity.
Lake George is also well-known as a “shopping mecca” because of Outlets. I have to agree, as it was my last day there, I spent all my cash on great products along with the other tourists. You may find more info about this place on http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com. I will quote from their website „Pure and simple, Lake George is a memorable place full of diverse attractions that many generations have enjoyed, and will continue to for years to come”.
Nothing untrue! Astonishing places, welcoming and trustful people! A vacation of a lifetime. Indeed, a provoking area as I told myself “it is a town where one day I may settle down”!