Fort Ticonderoga - New York

After saying goodbye to family at White Barn Farm in Brookline, Vermont, Kona and I pointed the RV west toward our next adventure. Our long-term goal this summer is to visit the last few national parks on our list, but first we wanted to spend some time exploring the Adirondacks.

Our first destination was Fort Ticonderoga.

Like many travel days, this one started with a simple plan. I plugged Fort Ticonderoga into Google Maps and followed the directions. The drive through Vermont was beautiful. We passed through small towns, farms, and rolling countryside before eventually reaching Route 74 near Lake Champlain.

Then the road ended.

At first, I thought Google Maps had made a mistake. Instead of a bridge, we found ourselves at the Ticonderoga Ferry. A few minutes later our Leisure Travel Vans Unity FX was rolling onto a small ferry alongside several cars and motorcycles.

The crossing only took about fifteen minutes, but it was one of those unexpected travel moments that often become the most memorable. For just $18 we crossed Lake Champlain and arrived directly at the entrance to Fort Ticonderoga.

Before visiting the fort, we stopped at the King's Garden. Kona was welcome throughout most of the grounds and enjoyed exploring the area with me. It was still early in the growing season, so many of the flowers had not fully bloomed yet. Even so, it was easy to imagine how colorful the gardens would become later in the summer.

We arrived at the fort just in time for the daily cannon demonstration. Three interpreters dressed in period clothing carefully loaded the cannon while another explained the fort's history and military importance. When the cannon finally fired, the blast echoed across the grounds and definitely got everyone's attention.

The fort itself is impressive. Massive stone walls, rows of cannons, and sweeping views of Lake Champlain make it easy to understand why control of this location was so important.

One of the surprises was how well done the museum exhibits were. Historical artifacts, interactive displays, and detailed exhibits helped bring the stories of the soldiers and settlers to life. We spent much more time exploring than I originally expected.

After leaving the fort, we had plans to visit Mount Defiance. Unfortunately, finding the road proved more difficult than expected. Poor signage led us through downtown Ticonderoga, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

The town is charming and historic. We found a waterfall, a covered bridge, and several local shops and restaurants. While looking for the correct road, we also discovered Mossy Point Boat Launch at the northern end of Lake George.

That stop quickly became one of the highlights of the day.

Kona enjoyed a swim while I relaxed by the shoreline and took in the scenery. Sometimes the unplanned stops end up being the best part of the trip.

Eventually we located the road to Mount Defiance. The narrow road climbs steeply above the fort before opening to incredible views of Lake Champlain and the surrounding

mountains. The overlook provides one of the best perspectives of Fort Ticonderoga and is well worth the drive.

As the sun began to drop, we headed deeper into the Adirondacks toward our next destination: Putnam Pond Campground.

Little did I know that my first night with Starlink was about to become an adventure of its own.