Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-08-09
A WEEK ON THE WING,
Some Account Of a Delightful Flight Among
the Thousand Islands.
THOUSAND ISLAND PARK, !
july 81, 1901.

July AOOAs }
Ed. STANDARD:
From the spacious verandas of the
, Columbian Hotel is an open view Of
the great st. Lawrence river. The
hotel is built upon the plan OF Greek
cross; the corridors extend through
the building, north and south, and
| from east to west, atiording fine cir
write the sky is gray and gentle rain
is falling, reminding us OF the tran
quill showers of Puget Sound. Fast
steamers are skimming up and down
making their frequent trips among
the islands. A beautiful improved
island is directly in front, and the
lofty residence is called Castle Fran
els" Other smaller pieces OF land,
breaking the surface of the water in
most fanciful and picturesque forms,
are in sight.
The Thousand Island Park, called
by way of distinction, 1.-THE Park" i,
nine miles long and about five miles
wide, a portion of which is divided
into farms. The part bordering on
the river is a city of summer resi-.
dences. composed mostly of handsome
two story cottages, with upper and
lower verandas, built upon straight,
shady streets. The soft maple, elm
and oak furnish beautiful shady ave-
nues, through which ladies promenade
without hats or gloves. Along the
banks of the river, named "Coast Av-
enue," wealth has monopolized the
choicest sites and built elegant resi-
dences to be used as summer homes
far few short months of each year.
In the old Indian days this beautiful
extent OF the river WAS called Mana
toana" or Garden OF the Great Spirit"
and truly spirit of rest and quiet
pervades the atmosphere at the pres.
ent time; squirrels may be seen jump.
ing from bough to bough seemingly
unconscious of persons near them.
1t is difficult to realize that this his.
toric region has four times been the
border land between contending ma
tions; first between the Alconquins
and the Iroquois; next between the
French and English, and twice be.
tween the English and Americans.
We are told that there are nearly
two thousand of these St. Lawrence
Islands, and perhaps 1000 within six
miles of Alexandria Bay" where
there is an immense hotel, this being
the central part of the most beautiful
section Of the river. 1t is around
these islands that tourists are taken
on small fast-running steamers passing
through some of the most intricate
nels among the islands.
/ shall not attempt to describe the
enjoyment we have experienced upon
such occasions. Some poet has sung:
The thousand joys and sweet alloys,
OF dear st. Law rence river.
With sweet alloys the thousand joys
OF Thousand Island River"
The night scenes are enchanting.
The Examinations extend far up and
down the river, on yachts and steam
ere, on the islands. along the grounds
and in the windows and towers of the
great hotels, and added 10 these are
the displays OF Chinese lanterns, ro-
man candles, rockets and other fire
works. 1t must be witnessed to be ap
preciated. The Thousand Islands are
dotted with cottages, palatial resi-.
dences, Rhinish castles and other
structures unique, grand, and elegant
in form and appointments.
Io.s.~A1-
purchased by DIR. J. g. Holland, the
celebrated author and late editor of
The Century, upon which was erected
Bonnie Castle" Islands have been
purchased and improved by wealthy
persons from different parts of the
country. MIR. Pullman owns one of
the handsomest and has built tower.
ing castle, "Castle Rest" five stories
high after the style Of the fortresses
on the German Rhine. The islands
are many OF them small, from one to
several acres in extent. Many OF
them are separated by narrow chan
nels, which are sometimes quite shall
low. As we sailed in and about the
quiet and inviting little bays and
around the islands studded with trees,
we were at times reminded of Puget
Sound, especially where a broad ex.
panse of water INTERVIEWED between the
uninhabited ones. The nearness OF
the islands and the combined beauties
OF art with those of nature satisfy the
social nature Of most persons more
completely than does the grandeur of
nature alone. The inhabited islands
most beautifol in all their appoint
ments of flowers, lawns, urns, shrub
berry, statuary, costly artificial walls,
bridges connecting small portions OF
land, lending fairy-like charm to beau
tiful cottages, luxurious mansions and
Rhinelike castles dotting the broad
expanse OF the grand old st. Lawrence,
have satisfied my mind for pleasing
and picturesque beauty, and for gram
deur we have often imagined our own
Black Hills on the west, the Coast
Range with its snow clad heights loom
ing up in the north, and towards the
east in the Cascade Range, the mag
nificent single peak of Mt. Rainier
lifting his hoary head to the height OF
IA, 444 feet. and the picture was COM
plete. Let US in imagination view the
picture when our fine islands and
beautiful coast line shall be beautified
by works OF art. There is but one St.
Lawrence, one Niagara, and one Puget
Sound.
Am we'll and enjoying cool and de.
lightful weather. There can be no
unalloyed happiness however We may
be situated; a twinge of sadness &C.
companies me because kin and friends
cannot participate with me in the
keen enjoyment felt.
P. G. HALE.
AL SORTS" ON THINGS.