HERE WE GO AGAIN

Here we are on day four of a severe weather alert in Fort Edward, New York. We have had another run of hot, humid, hazy weather since Monday - this one a "tad" worse than any of the previous. It has even been too uncomfortable for the dogs to be out for very long. This miserable weather has put the skids on most outside activities. It reached 95 degrees here yesterday with the humidity at 90% and the dew point in the high 60's. Instant sweat as soon as you walk out the door. I've managed to do a little gardening and watering to keep the plants going, a very little. Hate to say it, but the 5h wheel even feels pretty good at 85 degrees - the best we can manage. We are suppose to have a break from the heat tomorrow with a front moving in from the west, just in time to have Earl moving up the east coast; but not any immediate danger for us.
Our visit here to Upstate New York will soon be coming to an end and we will be heading back to our "winter home". Despite the ups and downs with the unpredictable weather, it will be difficult to leave. As with all trips, we did not manage to do or see everything that we had planned. Time and circumstances were against us. We had hoped to make a trip to Maine, Canada, other parts of New York State, etc.....maybe another time. We did manage to go to the Washington County Fair one evening with Michelle. There is nothing like a small county fair to bring out the crowds to see everything from farm animals, to4-H exhibits, to tractor pulls/truck pulls, to rides, and to load up on all that greasy fair food. The fair was very crowded the evening we went. My absolute favorite were the goats! They have amazing personalities. This guy was trying to convince the young girl feeding her baby goat to pass some food his way! The young kids are so proud of their animals and awards.
This area, that was my home during my early years, is steeped in history. We took time one afternoon to visit the Saratoga National Historical Park , located approximately 8 miles south of Schuylerville on Route 32 - a short ride from Fort Edward. It was here in 1777 that brave Americans defeated an invading British army from Canada and won a victory that turned the tide to eventually win America's War for Independence. Robert is standing next to one of the cannons that protected Freeman Farm (first stop on the self guided tour) where the major fighting of September 19, 1777 took place around 12 noon and opened the battle. The white posts with the blue tops in the background indicated the American line. The park has a 9 mile self guiding driving tour, bike/walking lane next to the road and a equestrian path. There are 10 interpretive markers along the route that help you to understand the battles of Saratoga. The Great Redoubt stop showed where the British built a system of fortifications on this hill and two others to the north to guard their hospital, artillery park, Indian camp, their supplies, and the boat bridge on the Hudson River - in the background. From here the British retreated to a camp on the heights of Saratoga where they surrendered On October 17, 1777. This was one of the most decisive victories in American history. If and when the weather starts to cooperate again, we hope to visit Schuyler House, Saratoga Monument and Victory Woods. We would also like to visit Fort William Henry in Lake George, NY before we leave.
A lot to do in a short period of time.