Notes From Lake George - II

A nice thing about visiting Lake George after Labor Day is the absence of throngs of people. Suddenly, all the motels - and there are scores of them - have vacancies. Just a few days ago and throughout the summer, available rooms would have been non-existent. There's a huge variety of lodging - rustic log cabins, motels - a few chains but mostly not, fancier hotels and resorts. With the exception of a lovely park in the center of town and a public beach on the outskirts, the motel industry and private homeowners own the town's shoreline. In fact, most of the lake's shoreline, up and down its length, is privately owned. If you want to sit on the lake's edge and take in the sublime scenery, you'll mostly have to do it by paying for the opportunity. There are a couple of public, state campgrounds and boat launches but, by and large, George's shores have, sadly, been privatized.


'50's style, retro neon motel signs line Lake George Villages main street - Canada Street.

Erik, as I've mentioned, had to go to work each day of our week-long vacation. So Dani, Stacey and I went for a stroll along the public access to the lake. Shepard Park is a lovely place to sit and rest one's eyes on the beauty of the water and mountains surrounding it. A lakefront promenade allows a walk along the lakefront or a swim at a small town beach. Restaurants and shopping arcades are there as well.


Dani and Stacey enjoying Adirondack chairs in Shepard Park, Lake George Village.


The promenade is a lovely place to sit and gaze at the beauty of Lake George.


Stacey begat Dani who begat Ethan who...


Just the two of us.


My beautiful daughter and beautiful mountains.

.......

When Eric returned that evening we ventured into town for dinner. We had been cooking at home earlier in the week and this was our "night out." You get spoiled living in New York City. The cuisine upstate ain't haute. On top of that is the tourist trap atmosphere of the town. That leads to high prices and low quality. But we were pleasantly surprised by decent Italian fare at a place called the Sicilian Spaghetti House & Pizzeria. We sat outside on the front porch and had a grand old time.


Erik and Dani on the front porch of our vacation house.


Beautiful, purple hot rod parked out front of the Spaghetti House.


Waiting in line at the restaurant.

We expected the Village to be quiet and peaceful on our post-Labor Day visit, and it was, earlier in the week. But unbeknownst to us, the village was hosting the Adirondack Car Show the following weekend. Beginning on Thursday, hundreds, then thousands, of vintage cars and souped-up hot rods descended on the tiny town. We thought this would be cool until we realized that a prime component of this show was the noise engendered by the modified engines and exhausts. Add to the din a plethora of acrid fumes and it was another assault on the natural beautfy of the lake. That was my view anyway, obviously not shared by the thousands of spectators who filled up the town's motels all over again. They sat in beach chairs spread out on the sidewalks watching as the cars took over the town.


People brought their lounge chairs out to the curb to watch the old cars cruising on Canada Street. A real happening!


Many of the cars were modified. Others, merely restored to their original beauty.


Two cars cruzin' down Canada.


Fans line the porches of local restaurants and bars to watch the show in the street out front.


Stacey stands by her Mercury convertible.


Surfside Motel and friend.


Now that's a beauty.