The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-06
.e.cea to mock in again to the JOY Of the hotel
THE CATsKILLs.


summer complete without visit or greater or
less length to .he Catskils. and IL IS remarkable
how many OF the same faces one meets here year
after year. The Rev. DR.. Hawley OF Auburn, has
been at the Mountain House for thirty years,
without missing single season, and one oltea
comes across an old gentleman who has been in
the haoit Of coming here every year since 1925.
or course there Is lack or novelty about the
varied scenery OF the mountains TO those
who have thus been long familiar with it;
but the early impressions Of wonder and
delight have become replaced by a
genuine love for the dear old Catskuls, which is
pretty sure 10 last through lie, only growing
stronger as the years 20 by. One lre-eminent
advantage winch the Catskllls have over other
mountain resorts Is In their accessibility, and
certainly there is other place where one can
obtain sucn complete change OF air within
comparatively short distance OF New York. This
change IL distinctly shown by the fact that most
persons experience strange feeling OF drowsi-
for the first days alter their arrival here.
Thls. however. IS OF but short duration, and before
long ID succeeded by new and delicious sense OF
buoyancy and exhiaration, when makes one feel
more than ordinarily disposed for bodily exerton.
In order 10 obtain the full benefit OF sojourn IN
the mounts this desire TOR exercise should be
encouraged much possible. Waking
Is emDhaticay the thing to do In
the Caiskilis; ana what glorious region you have
here for long tramps and exhiaratlng climbsl
Aad, oh, what nights for seep-bensath two
olankets-alter the days iatiguing excursion is
Overt Your bed may not be spring mattress,
bur your repose Will be the most exquisite OF
Injuries and GU can sing from the bottom OF
your heart
God bless the VINO fir invented sleepi
So sancho Panza SAID and 50 say l.
OF course one who is not much accustomed TO
lhOull "A
crate way; but afterwara they may be extended
almost indefinitely. So Draclng IS the atmos-
phere that with little practice almost any one
can accomplish quite good deal in the pedestrian
line with comparatively little fatigue, notwth-
standing the roughness OF the travelling generally
In these parts. Before we have succeeded
In making our forty-lye miles in day. and have
felt none the worse for it aIterward. We have no
intention. however, OF sending a challenge to
Weston, as one might, perhaps naturally expect
To those who are physically incapable OF sach ex-
ercise. or who really do not for it. the noun
tain air alone-so strong, pure and deiiclous-ls Q
sufficient tonic and restorative.
DRINKING THE MOUNTAIN AIR.
To be drinking this In continually, all laden as
1t Is with the aromatic spicery Of the forest while
at the same time you watch the constantly chang
ing shadows OF the summer clouds floating over
the ever beautiful prospect OF mountain ana grove
and PLAIN, and perhaps listen to tile roar OF waters
near at hand. or the faint murmur Of the streams
worth travelling much further than to the
Catskllls to enjoy. What tatrer sight could
there be than grand old Hunter Mountain, so
calmly reposing over there III the distance with
It's huge form 50 gracefully outlined against tho
western skyy 1t has always been favorite study
with artists, and wondrous, indeed, are the be-
wltcLlng effects OF light and shade over It's richly
slverslted surface. IL forms the subject OF one or
Chords most superb works, and only last autumn
MIR. Whittrdge, tue President OF the Academy.
made some careful studies OF the same. Most
parting sun stream down the misty valley the
Scuoharie. Tnen, In certain rare conditons OF the
atmosphere, the whole mountain seems to grow
actually incandescent IN the rich golden haze that
mood, the air Later, as the soft twilight sue
and grows more ana more weird and majestic,
while Its proportions seem to swell to a gigantic
size In the gathering dusk.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Most OF the noted points or interest In the Cats
Kills In the immediate vicinity winln
comparatively easy trampng or riding distance OF
the Mountain House ana Cauterskill Falls. 1t Is
true tnat the neighbornood OF the overlook
House, whose destruction by fire last spring must
have sent pang to the heart Of every one who
had ever sOjourned at that wonderful mountain
eyre affords some more grand and impressive
views OF surrounding peaks and ranges out tnat
region Is somewhat lacking IN that marvellous
variety Of close scenery, which ID one OF the prln-
clpal charms OF tbs part or the Catskls. d
Here the picturesque combinations OF water
falls. locks, mosses. ferns ana everQreens are a
perpetual dengut TO the artistic eye aud, indeed,
make these plens and ravlnes UNSURPASSED any
where In the world.
Among the more distant and unusual excur-
slons IN which the festive pleasure-seekers OF the
mountains are wont 10 indulge Is that TO East
Windham, and We propose now 10 give you some
account OF little expedition We made tnltner:-
Having no ladies' In the party. we scorncd to make
use OF Otner means OF ocUmotion tnan such as we
had been proviued with b. nature, and on a bright
August morning i've or US out on the tramp
with eager steps and the poasantest anticlpatIons
OF delightful Jaunt. Our course In gen.
eraI nofthwesterly direction and SIX miles OF
steady walking along the winding INC un am road
brought US to Parker's Hill. renowned for the
size and flavor OF It's wild straw berries and from
ia
south and east. On a rock near It's top IS painted
an immense wnite star, which can be seen for a
very great distance, particularly when the sun Is
SHINING upon 1t. turning now abruptly TO the
north we passed through ParKer's Notch Here
the road lay Tor mile through a dense forest,
whose shade was most refreshing aud, gradually
descending, finally brought us out upon the ro-
bulst upon US the stupendous form OF Old Black
head, nanked on either hand by peak oil almost
equal altitude, while down at It's foot, flashing in
the morning sunshine, lay lovely lake.
whose unruflled mirror gave back the per.
iect reflex OF the great mountains around and
the unclouded vault above.
BIG TROUT
This beautiful expanse IS known, alas by tho
name OF Peters Pond but IL is certainly emitted
TO q nooler name, from the picturesqueness of us
situation and the beauty OF its surround
ings, as well as from IT'S size ana the lin pid
clearness oil It's waters, in whose blue depths
turks many SHINING trout that would make u
sportsmin's eyes fairly dance. That the exist
or Dig trout here Is not fiction we are fully
prepared 10 maintain, ior on one occasion after
fshlng for several hours In tue pond we sue
ceeded In hooking splendid fellow. We then
nshed patiently Tor several hours more. put with
out any SIMILAR good luck, ana finally arrived at
the conclusion that the trout III Peteris Pond
were ''oncomnon shy.n We now crossed the
East Hill, ana pursuing our way through the
township ofJewltt came at len2 til. after u grad
ual ascent, to the top Of an emnence, from which
we looked down upon another and much broader
valley. The sparkling Batavia XIII could be seen
for miles winding through IT, ana the scene Was
rendered more picturesque by The neat cottages
and the .wo little wnite-spired churcnes OF the
village winch bears the expressive name OF "BiR
Hollew.n When we halted Tor our MONDAY re-
past. which we did in q pleasant pine grove on
the panks OF the stream beyond the village, 1t
was ascertained that the unfortunate fellow VINO
had carried tue satchel containing the luncn the
atter part OF the way was exceedingly sticky as
to ais pantaIoons, owing to the Unforeseen effect
OF the not sun on tue sauce or some
nuckleberry pudding with which our lady friends
had been kind enough TO supply us before start
ing. or course there was no little diversion ere.
ated at his expense, but he bore IL all IN good