The record-union., 1895-09-25
new JERSEY SUMMER RESORTS.
Trip Up the Atlantic Coast to New
York City.
Enchanting Scenes Viewed From the
Deck of a Steamer in New
York Harbor.


New York, Sept. 20.--Thinking thai
come of your readers might find the fol-
lowing of interest, 1 take the liberty o.
sending you the description of a triI
made up the North Jersey coast to New
York during the first week in Septen ber
The upper Jersey Coast is constant
succession of watering places, some o.
them SO intermingling as to almost de-
stroy the individuality of each town.
With all the hundreds of seaside resorts
to be found in our country, where else
does similar thing exist save there? Noi
on the South Atlantic coast, and while
there are some of the best resorts in the
land along the New England shore, still
they are necessarily more separate on
that rock bound and picturesque section.
AS for the Pacific, we all know that
though some of its resorts are world
famed, they are nevertheless several hun
dreds OF miles apart, and do not form the
attractive picture as does the continuous
line OF pretty towns stretching from
Sandy Hook to Atlantic City. When one
thinks OF the millions of population from
which these towns derive their gay sum-
mer crowds, it seems only natural that
ehould be so populated.
From New York, Brooklyn and their
suburbs on the north. the interior cities,
and from Philadelphia on the south, there
are splendid railway facilities directly on
the coast. Hundreds of families, hotel
guests and cottagers alike, enjoy the
breeZes there week after week. being
Joined over Sunday by the gentleman OF
the family whose presence perhaps is re-
Quired at home during the week. The
splendid train service enables them to
reach the shore after business hours on
Saturday, enjoy the nights festivities,
spend Sunday and off on an early morn
ing train Monday, ready tor business
again. Saturday and Sunday are the star
days along the coast, for the large con-
tingent OF gentlemen which arrives in
fuses new life into everything and max es
pleasing contrast TO the more quieI
week days. Then the bathing, dancing,
etc, take on new life; the couples enjoy
ing a midday or midnight tete-a-tete
multiply in mum Der and the promenades
are thronged.
But this is not tripping" up the coast,
so we Will board the train Al Belmar, sew
eral miles below Asbury Park, and start
for New York at o'clock in the after
noon via the Sandy Hook route. L would
that the trip were by steamer, thereby
getting a grand view OF an almost con-
iinuous ocean avenue clear to the Hook,
but unfortunately the steamer cannot be
taken in that vicinity, 50 we must resort
to the train, sort of a rear seat, as ii
were.
Until past Asbury Park the ocean front
is shut out from view by the piue woods
which intervene, but from there on it is
indeed pleasant ride to the Highlands.
AT Elberon. " est End, Monmouth Beach
the private villas attain magnificent pro-
portions, and situated as they are, mostly
in an unbroken line along the ocean
front. surrounded by beautiful grounds
and partially covered with bright green
English ivy, set Oft at the base by mas
turiums and other bright flowers, a
most pleasing picture is produced. 1t is
only at this particular season that nOWers
do show 10 any advantage here, and in
this case the landscape gardener seems TO
have excelled in arranging his colors.
Remember that our background is the
Atlantic, having an unusually deep color
this afternoon, nor do the frequent white
sails which dot its surface or the passing
steamers detract from the scenic effects.
and teeting glimpses caught of the surf
as 1t thunders IL, the breakers com bing
far out, also lend enchautment. AS the
train dashes on oneis bewildered TO thin k
OF riding FOR say about twenty miles all
through such a charming section. And
TO think OF it being III New Jersey. 1t is
q mystery why the beauty OF the coast is
not more spoken about. for it certainly
deserves at least honorable mention, if
not diploma.
The rail part of our journey is now
ended, for we reached Atlantic High
lands. and though loath To leave behind
so peaceful q scene was about to call it
Arcadian. but 1t is tri4le TOO modern for
that the latter part of the trip to be
made by water Is far from lacking in
interest.
From Atlantic Highlands the steamer
has almost straight course of ABOUT
fifteen miles TO New York, tha: is TO the
NarTows. As we start there stretches
northward on our right hand side that
narrow strip of land which is so we'll
known the country over as Sandy Hook.
1t was just oil the Hook that the De-
fender alkyrie fasco SO recently took
place. The race. however, was run on
the ocean side, east, while we are riding
along its western shore. On the lett lies
the Jersey shore, no longer vast sum
mer resort, but flat, low and rather un-
inviting, though green hills just back OF
the Highlands and those still further
away atone somewhat Tor the poor coast
line. The water on the east side OF us is
covered with small sailing craft, pleas
ure boats mostly, at anchor, for the ap-
preaching night. AS we clear the north
the right side. and in the west the great
red sun, which has been for soGe time
nearing the horizon, gradually sinks
from view into that heavy haze peculiar
TO these September days. Several hours
before giant in strength, it now slowly
disappears, having lost its power upon
entering the murky atmosphere, and be-
comes the observed of all eyes from the
top deck OF the steamer. Ii was mo-
ment to muse. How could a Californian
help but think that, although its day 8
work had been faithfully perform ed
here, in the far West il still had sew
eral hours TO shine before bidding g
final adieu as it dropped from sight be-
hind the blue Coast Range or into the
waters of the Pacific.
Bell buoys, which mark ed the channel
ut certain spots, tolled what seemed a
mournful plant at the darkness descend
ing over all \ large Spanish steamer
passed. the colored night lights already
IN position, and as the voyagers on board
waved a readily answered farewell 10 us
the bow was swung toward the deep sea
and she started on her long voyage.
Even as the boat swung round, there ap-
pe2red Tar out on the eastern edge OF the
ocean the upper section OF full moon.
Out OF the water IL seemed to come,
slowly at first, then with rush eaDed
skyward, shedding a silvery pathway
across the before dark water-good omen
for the Spanish boat steaming along The
silver channel toward "promised land -