The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-08-03
THE CATSKILLS.

UEEQUALLED ATTRACTIONS OF The CATShlLL
MOUNTAIN REGION JoURNEYINGs AND HALrs
BETWEEN LOOKOUT AND KAUrERsKILL FALLS.
LAUREL HOUSE, KAUrERsxiLL FALLS 4
August i, 1873. :.
Tho more l see Of the Catskin region the more
wonder that It not irequented far than II is.
There are lew noun, lain regions in the world so
piete with idyliic and pastoral beauty and we'll
adapted for restfuI, prolonged summer sojourn. At
this house. which 10 probably the most central point
for the attractive aud romantic walks ana drives
IN Greene county, mot Jonn II. Austen, tho well
known New York auctioneer, who has been visiting
the Caiskis Tor tweniy-egh summers, and, although
he has explored Switzerland and other mountain
countries In Europe he says there 10 resort Ia the
OLD World in which he can enjoy himself SO we'll as in
these beloved Calskils There is much truth in this
Tho verdare here. my opinlon softer and deeper
than II Is In Har,z In ihe Tnuringlan forest, in
Switzerland or In the TyroI, ana nowhere have
| seen OF SUCH exquisitely luscious
green. While the scenery has none OF the awful
subiimity OF the AIDS It Is much more enjoyable for
any length Of You may be thrilled Ny the sight
OF a glacier or a grand snowfall, but who would like
to spend days and weeks among glaciers and snow
iallsg How incomparaby superior are also the Cats
kills TO switzerland IN the absence OF the wretched
rainy weather which renders tho traveller so often
miserable among the Swiss Alps? l fully believe
(who may bs regarded carrying Catskiil Noun
taius in mis- pocke would only consent to have
a cogwhcei road built, there would be twenty VISITORS
10 these mountains to every one who now YEARLY as
cends Thorn the rumoling stages.
GoopBY OVERLOOK.
Leaving the overlook House on u bright, pleasant
morning. drove 10 West Hurley. to 60 on TO Hunter
Village. While the ascent from West Hurley TO The
Overlook House occupies hrce hours and half tho
took the Ulster and Do road, which brought
me in little over three-quarcrs of hour to Pho-
nicia and thence by three hours drive l reached
Hunter whose attractions will form of the man
themes OF this letter. The Ulster and Delaware Raroad
which has only been operation Tor five summers Is
great blessing the Catskill tourist II saves him
many weary stage coach journey and shows him, in
three and half hours, most picturesque region of
the Catskils aud the Shandaken Valley. Evcn the
shor, TO Pho nIcia mad everywhere charming
ghmpscs Lofty peaks clad IN sotest vcrdurc, and, in
describing sharp curves and ascending high grade,
the road uufolds, ever and auon, sudden views OF
rugged and romantic landscape. Every station you
pass-oIIve Branch. Brooks Crossing, Broadhead's
Bridge, shoKap, Boccvilie and Mount Pleasant
seems 10 be filled with pleasant rustic boarding houses
and small hotels, and the stations are crowded with
men, women ana children IN The unialine straw hat
and duslsr, ana with the CHEEKY word vacation"
stage lines captures the traveier ana oits bumps
nim along huuier. Tne road u.s. during the greater
portion way, uphill, which gives the arivsr
excellent pretext Tor walking his wornout old jade
pretty mucn ali the time.
CHEAPSEss or LIVING.
Ny driver told WONDERFUL stories about the
cheapness Of farm living III tue Cstsxiis HIS clothes
pass through the noun tains every winter, aud he
never paid Tor MIS- ''nobbes SUIT more tlau from
81 70 IS His VIE made all nor gowns v anu
best sunday dress ala not cost Ss Ana yet this
man was a householder; and rs We pissed ms com
portable frame cottage h,s little girls ran GU. TO meet
their s'papa,' anu, despite their bare eet and The
long hoods drawn over tneif heads, they looked as
pretty anu fresh any little duriugs that ever &C.
liz bled the heart OF Finn avenue millionaire. OF
course lie raised ali ms own vegetables his sheep, MS
pigs ms chickens, &c anu OF course, he said, You
see VIC don't ike fresh meat much; salt pork
like best.n There some large cbair actores on
tue way, anu tho cottages OF le aoorcfs when were
put together the most primitive manner, ho said.
did cost over $40 Or S1b. We pissed Que mouse
where thought migut succeed IN hvsnisg up tue
copious nbstlvns Of blackberry wine which mere takes
the place OF our New YORK wnskey. lie drank down
awe Dig tumblers OF tho wine ko man, but the horse
kept Jogging On Ms slowly AS over
A PICTURESQUE DRIVE
ana narrows down SHARPLY between two hIEl ranges
vi the Catskilis as you approach the stony Cove
There looks as II the mountains would touch each
otner aud, through tue narrow pass, tho ROAD eaus
the deep, rocky ravine called the stony Glove
10 Hunter vlnage. Az ono point OF tue gorge Tue
grim, aark SHADOWS thrown by the mountains faifly
sh ut out sunlight sudden chill comes over The
traveller. Tho air has become suddenly exceedingly
cool and tho Steep prccipous mountain sides hang
ing over the VIVA, rugged cleft IRON both SIDES at
most iinpsr the effect oil cave Ou both sides
are also cndous powders anu rocks, undcfntah
wnich run small mountain streams, when neezs IN
winter aud even partiaiy IN the summer, aod ibis
accounts ior name OF "lcy Cave whicn has been
CIV. TO this point the cicit Even now IA July,
great pieces 81 freshly formed ce may be seen gisen-
ing oder The rocks and that limo the road,
aud standing upon these for q few minutes you may
well imagine tnat you are In an Ice house or ico cave
Coming from tho warm sunlight oil tue open road ,nis
sudden effect ~ certainly one OF deightful noveiy.
Tue remandor OF the way rs noticeable Tor Inc Pc
cuar rod clay mud, winch abounds on the ROAD ana Is
very apt 10 splash you all over Before you reacn
Hunter you pass wnat Is called "Dry Brook, Drook
winch purglrd uDucr mas VI stones unu rochs
ana having ar up e,vcs Only the later 10 marx
It's former course Ii Is, indeed dry brook lnaian
tombsloue supposed " nave been the remnants oI
old limo Indian camps are also much admired IN tne