According to Moonalice legend, Albany is the oldest continuously incorporated city in the original 13 colonies. Founded by members of the Iroquois Nation, the town has had many names. Our favorite comes from the Mohawks, who called this town the "fireplace of the Mohawks." Fireplace of the Mohawks? Yup. The Mohawks won this place in a poker game with Albany Moonalice, who was the most famous pipe maker of her day. Albany's pioneering work with bongs led 200 years later to the development of central hemp.

According to Moonalice legend, we arrived late last night to discover that our hotel was overrun by members of the Knights Templar. The Knights are a special group of Masons. Their uniforms are blue and very stylish. Their medals were impressive. But hats are their best feature. Very formal, with giant ostrich feathers. Admiral Nelson would have loved it. Then came the piece de resistance: we saw Tom Hanks and Dan Brown running down State Street, being chased by a gang of Munchkin-sized monks wielding baseball bats.