North from Saratoga

Despite being born in the area and visiting multiple times over the years, I'd never visited the Saratoga National Historical Park. Driving east from Saratoga, the park is on the highlands overlooking the Hudson River. The battlefield commemorates a significant defeat of British Troops by the American Army in 1777.

The visitor's center has a good orientation film along with maps and artifacts from the battle. Rangers are available to answer questions.

An interpreter, dressed in period garb, explained the significance of the cabin used as the US Headquarters during the battles.

 Canons overlook the Hudson River route that was defended against British General Burgoyne's foray from Montreal.

 Further north, in Schuylerville, the park includes the restored summer home of American General Philip Schuyler. In addition to Schuyler being a military leader and statesman, he was a pioneer in developing canal systems. His early efforts at surveying and investing lost him money during his lifetime, but were instrumental in the Champlain and Erie canals.

 With that in mind, we stopped at lock number five on the Champlain Canal. Though we never came this way in our sailboat, traveling from the Atlantic Ocean north into Lake Champlain could be a fun adventure.

 Here are the gears and levers that work the lock doors. More on this area can be found on the Lakes to Locks website.