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Brodhead's Bridge. Soon after leaving
Brown's, the train rounds a graceful curve to the right for two miles,
and the Esopus creek is again encountered, for the first since leaving
Kingston. The stream here divides above the bridge, forming a pretty little
wooden island. Hereafter the track and this wayward current of maintain
companionship for twenty miles and more, bending in and out, and crossing
and recrossing the waters as the topography of the valley demands, though
not implicitly following its every freak and whim. Between this point
and Kingston, it winds its weary way over precipitous rocks, through wild
ravines and alluvial and fertile meadows for many a mile far to the south.
Crossing now the iron bridge, the train pulls up at Brodhead's Bridge
Station. Many are attracted here by the surrounding landscape, with its
diversity of broad meadows, towering mountain peaks, and shimmering trout
streams. The little hamlet is scattered along the wooden banks of the
creek near the base of High Point. Pine Island, which here parts the water
of the Esopus, is a favorite spot for a hammock and a dream, with the
rhythmic swirl and gurgle of the rushing waters on either side, and the
symphonic whispers of spreading hemlocks over head. Four gamey streams
wend their way through forest and field in different directions. One of
these leaps over the ledge not far distant in a sparkling cascade known
as Bridal Veil Falls. A more extended waterfall, however, is Bishop Falls,
two miles down the Esopus, a favorite afternoon ramble with many, who
liken it to the famous Horse-Shoe Falls at Niagara, in shape. Back of
the station is a large bluestone yard, where the various processes of
rubbing, planning and finishing huge, flat stones for market is in active
operation. The stone is carted from the numerous quarries on the surrounding
mountain slopes, and shipped by rail to tide-water when finished for use.
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