The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-09-16
Correspondence of The RECORD.
NOTES or TRAYEL.
WATKINS GLEN.

WATKINS GLEN.
The next point of interest that we visited
was the famous Watkins Glen, situated at
the head of Seneca Lake, in Schuyler county,
n. Y. At the time of our arrival, it was rain
ing quite rapidly but close carriages were in
readiness to convey from the depot to the
hotel, and we suffered but little inconvenience.
While at Watkins, we put up at the Glen
Mountain House, tho propretors of which
also have control of the Glen.
During our stay at Binghamton, we had
made the acquaintance of u Philadelphia
manufacturer who was travelling for pleasure
in company with his two children, and at
Watkins we had the good fortune to meet
him again. Here our acquaintanceship
ripened into friendship and when, a few days
later, we separated al Niagara, it seemed like
taking leave of those whom we had known
for years.
1t would be difficult indeed to find more
strikingly wonderful and beautiful freak of
nature than the Watkins Glen. Differing
essentially from any other remarkable locality
of natural interest, 1t is rs distinct in its in
Cave. 1t consists properly of a number of
glens or sections, rising one above the another,
and extending several miles III all, forming a
wonderful series of rocky arcades, grottoes
and galleries. A limpid stream winds its way
from one end of the Glen to the other now
pausing in some quiet nook, and then gliding
onward to furnish material for myriad of
| ri Al
and beauty of which is unequalled anywhere.
Only recently has the Glen been made ac-
cessible to visitors. Its existence was, of
course, known TO those living in the i'm
mediate vicinity, but owing to the impossi-
bility of entering it from any point, little or
nothing was known of its extent, or of the
wealth of beauty that lay in it's hidden rccesses.
Its entrance is of such a form that no one
would imagine that the gorge extended more
than dozen rods. In 1868 the Glen was
first brought into public notice. and staircases,
pathways, bridges, &C., were built, so as to
render it accessible.
The Glen is usually traversed by visitors
for about two and half miles from it's en-
trance, and extends still beyond, but its
character is such that the ascent is necessarily
performed on foot and visitors seldom walk
farther than the distance mentioned The
scenery grows finer as we advance until we
reach the eliminating point at the upper
bridge, Pilgrims Rest, though many explore
it for mile or two beyond.
At every bend within these rock-bound
walls, new scenery greets the eye; each views
unsurpassed of its kind, yet no two alike.
Cascade after cascade, set like gems amid the
grey old rocks, leap and sparkle and dance
joyously in the stray CLEANS of sunshine which
find their way through the dark green foliage
above. Far above these cascades and rapids,
the rock walls tower to the height of from
one to three hundred feet, while in many
places the branches of the trees above them
intermngle across the chasm.
Each particular spot in the Glen has its
appropriate name, and neat little sign boards
are judiciously nailed up throughout its entire
length. There are so many delightful locali-
ties that one is at q loss to know how to des-
cribe them with any satisfaction.
Tourists usually enter the lower end of the
Glen and follow up the course of the stream.
Guides are unnecessary, as visitors merely
have to follow the pathway as far as they feel
inclined and then return by retracng their
steps, Entrance Amphitbeatre, whose slaty
walls tower higher than housetops and fill
the beholder with awe, first claims attention.
Here the walls almost meet and further pro-
gress seems entirely barred with the exception
of narrow assure or rift which appears us
though some mighty earthquake had torn the
two portions asunder. One feels fearful lest
the overhanging rocks should fall and crush
him. Walking along little ledge we soon
see Entrance Cascade, a narrow thread of
water, shooting out from an angle in the
rocks, sixty feet above, and dashing into the
dark cavernous pool below.
A stoutly built staircase leads the visitor up
into the first section of the Glen, which is
usually denominated Glen Alpha. Now we
are fairly in the Glen and seem to have for
gotten the outer world, whose noblest spec-
mems of architecture would look plain and
common in comparison with the stupendous
grandeur of this masterpiece of nature. we
feel new strength and an intense eagcrness to
press forward in quest of other beauties.
Our timidity is gone and we are full Of
courage.
Now crossing Sentry Bridge and vending
our way through Saltwater Gorge, we catch
glimpse of Minnehaha Falls, an Irregular
yet exceeding graceful cascade and one of the
gems of the lower Glen. About thirty feet
above Minnehaha is the Fairy Cascade, which
with one dainty bound leaps into Neptune's
Pool. The view, looking up from this point,
is called Cavern Gorge, and for wild grandeur
! is unsurpassed by any in the Glen. After