The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-05-25
For The CeciI Wing
CAMPING OUT AT LAKE GEORGE.

AS the season for out of door sports and
pastimes is rapidly approaching and those
who have the opportunity of running off
for fortnight's enjoyment of such recrea-
ton are beginning to cast around for a
place to go, where either the destinations
of fashionable hotel life or the simplicities
of the camp" may be chosen, want to
speak of place where l spent two of the
happiest weeks of my life, and where any
of your readers who have inclinations for
out of door life may, with trifiing expense
and little trouble, enjoy the same pleasure.
Our party consisted of five, and our rem
devious was Sandy Hill, n. Y. A friend
lived here who would provide the tent and
camp utensils, which belonged to gentle
man living there, who for twelve successive
seasons had made trip to this beautiful
lake.
My part of the trip to the rendezvous
lay up the Hudson to Albany. l had never
been up the Rhine of America" nor had
| ever seen those splendid steamers which
have been appropriately called " floating
parlors." We left the pier about 6 o'clock
in the evening. 1t had been beautiful,
calm Summer day, and now the tempera-
ture was so nicely accommodated to the
needs of the body that it was luxury
simply to breathe. AS our vessel swung
around from her pier and steamed out into
the river, alive with every imaginable craft,
it was altogether new and pleasant exper-
fence to me. The day was slowly depart
ing and the water had attained that repose
which it almost always assumes at sunset.
1t was a beautiful sight. After securing
my state room and supper l made my way
to the deck. The sun had gone down be-
hind the hills which were now rising upon
both sides of US, and the moon was just
overhead in a clear sky. The passengers
were laughing and smoking in knots over
the deck. Being alone, contented myself
with my cigar and my own company. Sit
ting upon the deck until nearly midnight,
| had an opportunity, under the bright
light of the moon, of seeing most of the
fine scenery for which this river is so Justly
celebrated, and on my return trip | came
down in daylight and so was able to see all
its beauties between New York and AL
bany. Leaving Albany early in the morn
ing, and passing through Saratoga and
Fort Edward, l arrived at Sandy Hill for
dinner. Part of our company was already
there, and we had agreed to make an early
start for the lake the following Monday.
By Monday, we were all ready with our
flannel shirts, fishing tackle and change of
CIOtueS. ldhiDS lut cars dJ SdIuy I'LL W
Glens Falls; we there met the stage which
was to take US over to the head of the lake,
twelve miles. 1t was fine stage and team
and we rode swiftly through the constantly
changing country.
| recall with pleasure one incident of
that ride, which, although simple, afforded
us no small amusement. Some distance
from the lake, ragged boys met the stage
with small punches of the fragrant "pond
lily" which they dexterously throw in at
the open windows of the passing stage,
trusting to the kindness of it's inmates to
throw out as return few pennies. A
perfect shower of the fragrant bouquets
pelted us, and | have indelibly printed
upon my mind the ludicrous scene of these
little Arabs" scrambling in the dust for
the pennies we tossed them. 1t was a sight
that would have drawn hearty laugh from
the most grumbling dyspeptic.
Arriving at Caldwell, the village at the
head of the lake, we took the afternoon
steamer up the lake to the "Mohican
House, " ten miles away, where we we're to
leave the ladies of our party. The island
upon which we were to pitch our tent lay
about a mile and half out in the lake,
which at that time presented a most beau
tiful sight, as the shadows of the surround