When I mentioned to friends last year that our family was planning a week long vacation to the Lake George and Gore Mountain area, most people commented, “What are you going to do there for a whole week?”

It turns out that a week was almost not enough time to do everything we planned. The Lake George area has a historical depth to it, is filled with natural beauty and has a whole host of fun for those with an adventurous streak. Here are some of the fabulous places we visited during our trip.

During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), which was actually fought between the British and French, the British built Fort William Henry on the southern side of Lake George to protect the colonies to the south from French forces. The Fort William Henry Museum is a wonderful duplicate where history comes alive. British soldiers escort visitors around the fort explaining their mindset and lifestyle – including the role women played on the fort and in the war. Children are even given the opportunity to try on a uniform and “join the royal army.” It’s open daily from 9:30 a.m. and there are military demonstrations several times during the day.

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is probably one of the nicest natural wonders I’ve seen. The trails run through paths rich with amazing sights such as the largest marble cave entrance in the East. The self-guided, ¾-mile route is a natural trail, mostly above ground, that affords up-close views of the many unique rock features in the marble gorge, such as potholes, grottos, and mill site waterfalls. The Summer Adventure Tour offers visitors (ages 13 and older) the experience of exploring a genuine underground dirt and water-filled cave. Visitors don a caving suit, helmet, light and other necessary gear, and, with the help of trained guides, explore the underground cave.

The same family has privately owned Natural Stone Bridge and Caves for over 200 years. In fact, Jacob Van Benthuysen, an ancestor of the current owner, received the site as payment for his service during the Revolutionary War.

The Steamboat Company of Lake George offers a variety of different style cruises. The Minne Ha Ha, an authentic steamboat and one of the last steam paddle wheelers in America, takes passengers on an hour-long cruise of the lake. The Mohican, the oldest continuously operated tour boat in America, has been cruising the lake since 1908 and currently takes passengers across the 32-mile lake. In June 2008, the Mohican was placed on the national Register of Historic Places, the third active passenger vessel to be so designated.

The company also operates the Lac du Saint Sacrement, the largest cruise ship on the inland waters of New York State and has a Thursday night firework cruise during the summer months.

No matter which of the cruises you choose, you are sure to have an experience you will remember! The views from the ships are incredible and the captain’s narration is fascinating!

Riding a hot air balloon is an experience of a lifetime! Riding a hot air balloon over the magnificent Adirondack farmlands is breathtaking! I took my ride with Todd Monahan, of Sunkiss Ballooning.

A hot air balloon is not launched from one particular place. Before deciding where to launch from, Todd releases a helium balloon to check the wind’s direction – that helps him decide where to take off from. As the landing spot is different each time as well, Todd is in constant radio contact with the driver who meets the balloon after it lands.

Lake Kinneret is a little ‘under the weather’ these days, according to Israel’s Water Authority.

The northern body of water which is Israel’s main source of drinking water is also known as the Sea of Galilee. It started this year “rainy season” with a head start but now is showing signs of heading into a drought level.

Israel’s Water Authority reported Tuesday that the lake’s water level has dropped four centimeters below the “lower red line,” and stands at 213.04 meters below sea level.

“Kinneret water level declines at the end of December are unusual circumstances, occurring most recently only in 2008,” the Water Authority said in a statement.

On Tuesday morning, a very brief flash of rain swept across the northern Negev – but it had no effect on the level of the lake.

It is hoped that the winter storm expected this coming weekend will bring with it enough precipitation to boost the basin back up to where it should be at this time of year.

The water level in Lake Kinneret really needs to reach above the higher red line in order to avoid a drought alert for the summer months.

I grew up a few blocks from the Ramat Gan National Park, a man made urban park, which isn’t really national, with a nice, little man made lake. It’s only 0.7 square miles, but when I was growing up it was plenty.

Googlemaps screen shot

On summer afternoons, my dad would come home early from work and we’d drive over, rent a boat (you had to leave your watch as deposit in the rental booth, to make sure you didn’t steal your boat, which occasionally made it difficult to come back on time).

They made the artificial lake in 1959, and dad and I were regulars there. They also built a restaurant in the middle of the lake (see top picture), which I don’t think ever actually operated. I could be wrong. Throughout my childhood it was just this cement shell you’d circle with your rowboat.

I suppose some ideas need to be thought through better. But the park continues to be a source of safe fun for the locals. It’s gotten more Haredi in recent years, but it’s still as happy as it used to be, I think. I don’t go there much these days, since we live in Netanya. I don’t know if they still rent boats. I should take my daughter one day and check it out.

The local ducks and the cats are very happy.

Just since Monday, the Kinneret rose another 2 centimeters to 210.445 meters below sea level, and is now standing at 255 centimeters above the lower red line.

In the past 6 days the Kinneret has risen 11 centimeters.

In the past 24 hours, the Kinneret rose 22 centimeters. At it’s last measurement, it was at 211.50 meters below sea level. With the rainstorm currently hitting Israel, the Kinneret is expected to rise even higher.

Over the past few days the Kinneret has been steadily rising, and on Saturday it rose by 12 centimeters reaching 212.07 meters below sea level, which is 93 centimeters above the lower red line.

The Kinneret is now 327 centimeters below its maximum capacity which is at 208.8 meters below sea level.

The Kinneret’s highest level in 2012 was 211.30 centimeters below sea level.