New York- Our trip begins at Lake Champlain and heads south along the lakes and rivers, mostly the Hudson River, all the way down to Manhattan. The journey is nearly 300 miles but there is a lot of history and adventure along the way. For a simple midwest man I had an idea of New York but it involves tall buildings and progressive thinking. It is the Yankees and pizza shops and large corporate headquarters. When you travel outside of the hustle and bustle you discover a distant realm and journey into the past. You can see that past collide with the new world and how it harmoniously lives as one. New York state is full of beauty and grace and deserves a second look separate of the city that has made its name infamous. The Empire State has so much to offer and should be explored in greater depth than just that area surrounding where your plane lands.

Lake Champlain- Right at the mouth of the lake you cross over the Lake Champlain Bridge into New York and your immediately thrust into the Adirondack Mountains.

Lake George- is referred to as the “Queen of American Lakes”. It is a long, narrow and surprising large lake located at the in the Adirondack Mountains. According to Wiki it has 109 miles of shoreline and 300+ islands and people have been using it as a vacation hotspot for a few hundred years. Although their are many homes on the water you can find plenty of wilderness to explore in the surrounding hillsides.

Saratoga-Is a National Historic Park where in 1777 American forces won their first battle in the Revolutionary War against the Brits. There is a quick video in the visitors center worth watching or talk to one of the rangers so you get a bit more understanding. Than you can drive thru and stop as you fancy at the different areas.

The Catskills- Is a 700,000-acre protected forest preserve located in the Appalachian Mountains. This is most certainly not Colorado but it does offer some decent skiing and since it is located 100 miles from Manhattans door it is the perfect getaway. Some lifts still operate in the summer so you can ride to the top and enjoy the views.

General Washington’s Headquarters- Hasbrouck House, is located in Newburgh, New York overlooking the Hudson River. George Washington lived there while he was in command of the Continental Army during the final year of the American Revolutionary War; it had the longest tenure as his headquarters of any place he had used.

West Point-is a four-year federal service academy in West Point, New York that educates cadets for commission into the United States Army. It started as a fort because of its perfect location up above the Hudson River and its just 50 miles north of New York City. It has a rich history and tradition. The academy has a very interesting cemetery where you will find many war heroes buried. I spent some time exploring the markers and chiseled rocks that commemorate those heroes final resting spot. Many famous names are here and to my surprise General Custer was one of them.

Manhattan- Finally the mighty Hudson flows down to New York City and out to the feet of Lady Liberty herself. This is where our journey ends. Obviously New York City is a passage all its own but its worth noting that the Hudson goes this far and explains its significance as an impressive and strategic American waterway.