RPI Tournament and Saratoga Battlefield Tour

Yesterday, Susan, Hannah and I set off early for the RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic) Ballroom Competition in Troy, New York near Albany. The morning session was reserved for the smooth and standard dances that aren't Hannah's favorites, with the afternoon reserved for traditional Latin and rhythm dances like the Cha-Cha, Rumba, Jive and Swing.

Knowing that we had a few hours before the events where Hannah would really shine, Susan and I drove north to visit The Saratoga National Battlefield Park near Lake Saratoga. OK, I think I dragged Susan. Once a history geek, always a history geek.

The 1777 Battle of Saratoga, or battles of, were pivotal to the American cause in the Revolutionary War. New York and most of New Jersey had been lost in 1776 after the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 2nd. France was on the sidelines waiting for a signal that the young American country could succeed. The capture of Burgoyne's army at Saratoga was that signal and the War of Independence took a dramatically different turn after that.

There's something about seeing the terrain in person that get's lost in a book. Standing on Bemis Heights inside the American lines, one can see why Gates and Kosciuskoo choose the location that they did, why the British tried a flanking maneuver at Freeman's Farm and why Benedict Arnold's final assault was so pivotal.

That's right, Benedict Arnold, the famous traitor was a hot headed but talented officer who rallied American troops that had been repulsed from the Balcarres Redoubt assault and brought them in behind the Breyman Redoubt as Daniel Morgan's Continentals attacked from the front. This rolled up the British flank, forcing their retreat and ultimate surrender. Arnold was shot in the leg during that assault and carried a limp for the rest of his days. A 'boot' monument marks that spot today.

Just finished reading an excellent biography on George Patton. A brilliant tactician, his strategies often boiled to “hold him by the nose and then kick him in the A$$.” Standing there 233 years later, one can clearly see that's exactly what Arnold did.

Susan will post more today about the competition. Hannah came back in the afternoon and took home eight ribbons including a first, second and third place.