Spring Hike - North/South Lake_

This photograph was taken by my grandson,Sean, on an early spring hike he took along the trails at North-South Lake. Although the weather was warm... more

by Ellen Levinson

Title

Spring Hike - North/South Lake_

Artist

Ellen Levinson

Medium

Painting - Photograph

Description

This photograph was taken by my grandson,Sean, on an early spring hike he took along the trails at North-South Lake. Although the weather was warm and flowers were blooming at lower altitudes, he was surprised to find patches of lingering snow in the deeper parts of the forest.

North/South Lake at Haines Falls,N.Y in the Catskill Mountsain is a beautiful place to spend a day enjoying the beach and lake,a picnic or barbecue,boating (only non-power boats),fishing or hiking along the escarpment trails. There are also approximately 219 campsites, up from the original 10.
North-South Lake is an 1100 acre state campground,part of the Catskill Forest Preserve, near Palenville, N.Y. 2,250 feet above the valley floor, the escarpment on which the lakes are located provides a view of 5 states in clear weather. Called "America's First Wilderness", the North-South Lake area was the beginning of the Catskill's recreational history going back to 1753 when John Bartram ,a British naturalist , and his son journeyed to the area to collect balsam fir seedlings. Balsam fir was was sought after for its supposed medicinal properties. The seedlings that Bartram brought back to Britain failed to flourish there, however his account of his travels " A Journey to Ye Cat Skill Mountains with Billy" became popular in both Britain and the colonies.
In the early 19th century some American artists began to migrate from New York City the Hudson Valley searching for new subject matter.Their work became known as the Hudson River School.Thomas Cole was one of these famous painters, depicting the lakes in many of his paintings.
Many resorts were built in the area, including the famed Catskill Mountain House. It was built in 1823 on the "Pine Orchard" overlook made famous 70 years earlier by the Bartrams visit. Thomas Cole was a frequent visitor at the Mountain House which had become an elite attraction for politicians (and some presidents),artists,captains of industry ,writers and poets and artists.

This painting will look at home in any room,office,restaurant,inn,bed&breakfast.
to view more of my work go to ellyn-levinson.artistwebsites.com.
Thank you for viewing.

(c) 2014 Ellen Lynn Levinson (Ellyn)
All images are protected by U.S. and International copyright laws.
All rights reserved by the artist Ellen Lynn Levinson (Ellyn).
Images may not be reproduced or used in any way without written permission from the artist.

Uploaded

May 28th, 2014