The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-20
A GLIMPSE OF six STATES.
Sl<ytop Is Compared With the Grandeur of
the Yosemite.

Especial Correspondence.l
LAKE E1OHoNK, n. Y, Aug 16.-One
Of the most beautiful bits Of natural
scenery near the Atlantic seabrard is
the little lake from which ths- letter is
dated.
New Paltz, a quaint old Huguenot
village six miles to the east, is the sta
ton where you took the stage for No
honk unless you preferred to drive over
from Poughkeepsie or Highland, on the
Hudson. You are 1, 700 feet above the
level Of the lordly river, and beyond
tho hills, Is miles away, can trace the
line by which its waters flow southwark
to the sea. To the northeast, across tie
Hudson, the most prominent peaks Of
the Green mountains, in Vermont, are
discernible, and southwark from these
some Of the well known landmarks in
western Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Now turn to the west III the Rom
dout valley, which parallels the Waikiki
OH the other side of the mountains, you
can trace the Rondout creek, or kill, .
as the people hereabouts still prefer to
call it. You can also trace the Della
ware and Hudson canal, which joins the
Waikiki a short distance above Rosen-
dale at the northern end of the Shawan-
gunk range and goes on to Kingston
II.
The more distant prospect on the
south and west is quite as satisfactory
to the eye and mind as that upon the
east. The vision sweeps from point to
point among the higher mountains in
New jersey, westward to the Allegha-
MES in Pennsylvania and New York and
so on around to the north, where the
Catsl1ills encounter the line of sight and
Overlook looms up like the magnificent
giant that he is Nowhere, scenic ex-
perts say, can more satisfactory view
Of these mountains be obtained than
that afforded from Slzytop.
Consider well what the foregoing in
adequate attempt at description means
Included in the horizon of Skytop are
large portions of six states and several
thousand square miles of territory. And
SO cunningIy has nature contrived the
combination that at first sight it seems
as if the eye were able to grasp much
more of the detail of this vast expanse
than is actually possible This illusion
is strengthened by the panoramic ar
rangement of the valleys at the base of
the mountain. After the illusion mas
vanished, however, as vanish it will,
you smile at natures clever trickery.
She has not shown you so much as your
first glance led you to imagine, but she
has shown you great deal more than
you can see from any similar view point
with which 1 am acquainted.
IN no case are comparisons less salts
factory than when made respecting the
views to be had from different places
yet one almost invariably makes them,
even while admitting that each place
has distinctive charms of its own A
few years ago it was my privilege to
stand upon the summit Of Clouds Rest,
tie highest peak in the Yosemite valley,
9,912 feet above the level Of the sea- Of
course the views from there are of in
comparable grandeur. Higher and more
distant peaks are visible from there thai
from anywhere else 1t has been my good
fortune to be, and the Immediate sur
roundings as all the world knows, are
on a most magnificent scale. But as ]
stand on Skytop the conviction is forced
upon me that I really see more than
did from Cloud Rest, and / come away
better satisfied
Aohonk is not a newly discovered
place. 1t has been a favorite resort dur
ing the last quarter of a century fol
some Of the best people from n ew York,
Boston, Philadelphia and other large
cities of the United States and for ap-
preciative travellers from abroad. But
the lake is not likely ever to become a
popular resort in the ordinary accepta-
ton of the words It is too expensive
for the masses, and there is no beer or
whisky or any Of the amusements that
are commonly supposed to be necessary
to attract miscellaneous crowd There
is a tradition that the nearest place
where an Intoxicating drink may be had
is three miles away. 1 observed on
corner Of the porch Of one Of the way
side farmhouses q small sign, Eudely
1at@a-od toaY-iucy faaso xvor1o.