Cruising Into the Sunset Aboard the General Schuyler on Saratoga Lake

 While summer is definitely winding down and fall is knocking on our door, we are taking advantage of the lower humidity and less frequent rain to check off more items on the 'summer bucket list'.  One of those included one of our favorite summer activities - a cruise aboard the Adirondack Cruise & Charter's General Schuyler.

Our oldest granddaughter had a 'boat cruise' on her bucket list and 'watching a sunset' so we combined the two and enjoyed a sunset cruise on Saratoga Lake. As some of you know, I grew up living on Saratoga Lake. It's been over ten years since my family lived there so anytime I get the opportunity to get on the lake, it feels a little like going home. Doing it for sunset is extra special and sharing it with family is even better.

Photo from 2018

The General Schuyler is a beautiful 1920’s replica fantail launch that was built in 2003 by Paul Raasoch in Wisconsin. It sailed the Rock River until 2005 then sat unused in a barn for over 10 years. In 2017, Hal Raven brought it to Saratoga Lake and gave the vessel a complete overhaul. We've been enjoying their cruises since the very beginning (I've blogged about it a number of times), but this was our first cruise in a few years.  Every year it seems the 'camps' around the lake get larger, closer together and with it the shoreline gets more congested with docks and boats.  The view is much different than the one I grew up with and the difference makes me a little melancholy for the old days, especially knowing my dad would not be happy with the growth if he were still here.   

2023

Same property (our 'compound'- 1960's)

That being said, nothing can take away from the beauty of Saratoga Lake, especially at sunset on a calm night.  Parts of the lake were so calm they appeared like glass and the Wednesday night sailboat regatta provided an extra picturesque sight.  Captain Dave handled the General Schuyler like a toddler handles a tricycle.  He docked the huge vessel single handedly on the first try and provided his passengers with stories and history of the lake.  While the history lesson is informative and entertaining, the view, the gentle ride and the slow sway atop the waves and the front row seat for the sunset are really what passengers will remember from their cruise.  The same goes for my narrative and my photos - a picture tells a thousand words.  So without further ado....come along as we cruise at sunset.

For more information about cruise schedules and ticket information, or to follow their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/AdkCruise

https://adkcruise.com/

Also, to read more about Adirondack Cruise & Charter and my earlier blog posts: 

History Comes to Life on the 1900's Replica Fantail Launch

Fish Creek on Saratoga Lake

Weekend Just Got Better - Coffee Cruise

Bringing Back Saratoga Lake History

Cruises run into the fall and the General Schuyler is available for private charter. Water travel isn't Hal Raven's only passion. In fact, his real passion is trains and last year that passion was the driving force behind the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway which provides scenic and specialty rides. We decided to make our day a "Hal Raven" day, and the morning of our sunset cruise we enjoyed a scenic train ride. Come back soon for photos and stories about that fun excursion.