The Tomahawk., 1917-10-04

wv
ing prone upon the flat rocks hig1
above the river, watching Hendrick
Hudson bea ting northward in his tiny
caruvel.
Since the Palisades have become
part of the state park, New Workers
are getting better acquainted with
them. But until lately hardly one per-
son in a thousand knew the wooded
wonders Of this 16-mile strip, it's pri.
meval ravines, It's streams and forests,
it's wildfowers and the fair fields that
sweep back from the little old hanlets
ut the top.
city's Big Playground.
Artists hunted them out, and a few
hardy campers explored the wilderness
they found. But to this day there is
more untouched ground along these
Palisades for New Workers to play in
than in any other territory within
hundred miles.
Under the shaft-like walls, and close
to the rim of the river, between Fort
Lee and PiermOnt, is a row Of tiny
white tents with boats drawn up, gaily
painted canoes and little sailboats.
Bare-legged kiddies run out hoping
for "waveS" as our steamer passes,
and the campers wave and halloO.
On the right, the end Of Manhattan
island is marked by a high rise of
wooded land and that famous creek in
which was lost the intrepid Dutchman
who tried to swim it I'm spuyt den
duyvel' to warn the farmers up coun-
try that the British had landed on
Manhattan isle.
Notwithstanding the squealing rail-
roads that now trestle it where 1t
joins the Hudson, Spuyten Duyvel still
keeps good deal the look Of pretty
country.
Just north Of Spuyten Duyvel Is
mountainette, which used to be called
Tibbet's hill and had a fertilization,
now replaced by the tall shaft Of the
Hendrick Hudson monument. The
story goes that the little Half Neon
was attacked at this point by Indians.
Before the Majestic Palisades.
The lovely wooded hillsldes we now
pass on the east bank are where the
rich men of Riverdale have their
homes and where the picturesque con-
vent Of Mount st. Vincent peeps out
from the trees.
If the day is clear you can glimpse
large castlelike house which was built
by Edwin Forrest, famous tragedian
Of generation ago. It now forms
part Of the convent, and is headquar-
tiers for the American branch Of the
Sisters of Charity Of st. Vincent:
The Palisades now grow more and
more majestic, and the east bank Of
the river is cool-looking and clad with
trees through which the houses in the
suburbs of Yonkers begin to peep.
If you were tired and hot at the be-,
ginning Of the trip, you are rested by
this time despite yourself. There is
something in the very width of the
Hudson and the calm of the great
cliffs to the west and the vast sweep
Of water as, far ahead, it swells into
the Tappan Zee, that blurs remem-
brance Of city cares and makes body
aud mind relax.
The boat puts IN at YOnkerS anu
gives you chance to see a suburb
that is thriving city. You learn that
this old Dutch town, only II miles
from the battery, has 10000 popula-
ton and is full of lively business in
tereStS.
On the Hudson's west bank nestles
the quaint, neat landing of Alpine.
beginning at the rivers brim and
struggling up the preclpitous wooded
Hill. You can almost smell the damp
greenness Of the forest, quiet and calm
on the weekday, but abloom with pic
mic parties every Sunday from early
morning till way past dark.
For this is all state park property
now, free to the people and protected
from quarrymen. You can't quite sea
the villag. proper from the river, for
it Is at the top Of the cliff, bit back
from the brink, sweet, rustic hamlet,
as remote from the world as though it
were indeed an Alpine community.
Perched on the green brow Of the
Palisades at this point are some lovely
houses, and two or three artists stu-
dos clinging to the woodsy walls fur
Their down. &
North of Yonkers and Alpine the
country Is more beautiful with every-'
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