NOVEL SUMMER RESORTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6895, 8 September 1900, Page 1

NOVEL SUMMER RESORTS.

The State of California can, ooast <n many uronderftil things, but it is' decidedly unique in possessing many novel summer resorts. One of the most interesting, perhaps, is Belvidere, on the west side of San Francisco Bay, not far from the Goldfen City. It i« nothing less than a floating town of boathouses. The. interesting point about these boat-houses is that they are not actually boat-houses, although they practioally serve that purpose. They were originally abandoned street -cars. Only a Calif ornian could conceive the unique idea of turning an apparently useless tram-cay into a floating home. The idea, it is said, was originated by^he members of the Calif ornian Bohemian Club some years ago, the fountain-head of many novel and unique ideas to be fouiid in this land ( of sunshine and roses. Strictly speaking, Belvidere is more generally known as Arktown. During tihe summer months sdme forty, to fifty " arks " may be seen, on the west 'side of the bay, moored within easy reach of one another. The largest is known as the Nautilus. l\ is interesting for two reasons : first, because it was the firsb of the arks, and, secondly; because it "still holds the palm for being the most unique and ' the largest. The Nautilus is nothing less than a flat- [ bottomed boat-house, built df four abandoned street-oars, placed end to end, two *nd two in a solid square* with a deck-house ; or verandah running right round it. The partitions of the cars were removed, making two lovely rooms, with windows and sUding-dooars at each end. Stationary tables "were then added, seats built under the windows, lamps fixed, the whole being nicely painted and varnished throughout. A few cushions and fancy knick-knacks and at most cosy, novel, little summer home is the result. Indeed, some of the arks are most charming residences, and their occupiers will tell you that it is much cheaper to live in them than in the hotels or board-ing-houses on shore. In the height of the season, Belvidere is A LIVELY FLOATING CITT. Its inhabitants take life very easily. Every morning the arks are visited by a round of tradesmen, who have their own boats, and row out to take their orders from the dwellers of the arks. For boating, fishing, bathing and aquatic sports no place can compare with Belvid«re. Carville is another novel CalifoTnion summer resort. It is nothing less than a •town composed of , abandoned tram-cars. Cairville is on the verge of the Pacific Ocean, not far from San Francisco, and thither during the summer tie bitsy merchant and over- taxed clerk may be. found living for a brief vacation in an old tramcar 'comfortably and tastefully furnished. A car may be leased for the season, and for £15 or £20 can be prettily and cosily futiokftied!. The owner can indulge in boating- and bathing to his heart's content, while the sea-breezes are bound to have the desired effect upon his health. The cars are rented at £1 a month, and during tihe season, are invariably full/ This unique town and its still stranger dwellings belong to Mr Adolphi Sutoo, a San Francisco gentleman?- who has startled Western society by toany unique innovations. . HU bathfe gtitside San Francisco bib probably tine largest and most wonderful sea baths in- tihS world. Other novel summer resorts to be found in the QoHeh State could also be mentioned. For those who wish to ascend the clouds fund fcpW their vaaationii up the mountain there is Mount lio-w^ with itsj

j enumerable attractions, Ho other HMXja- » tain* in tfe world possesses such n<wel ftti tawkans as are to be found near t!b* Mttj f mat of this mountain, 6000ft abovft tdxe forel of ■the/«a. San Oatalina Island with ita wonderful baths aid '.<*»*■ is anotlaar instance'of what Western «a*erpri®e will do when it wtebes to carter for the. amusement of the public in a novel manner. Nea* Santa Barbara, too, ther* is A UNIQUE mtßt GAR|>J>N . near the beach tffcose bower; tie one maai ; of beautiful Oaftfotndft w**, <uitn£fed by; all who have seen them. •Tire people of New Yotk find the roop gardens of the large cities a veriibabl© pflia* ' dise during the sultry summer . evendtngs. Tfoetre «ire now half^own large roof-gar* dena i& New York most tastefully laid ou« with trees, large palms, buaihes am all kind* of flowers. It is estimated that over 10,001) pensons on an average r*»or* to these " gar* 1 dens in the air. " every nigh* during tiud summer months. Therfe is something uncanny and deliciout m lolling in the upper air listening to I well-selected band ox watching a play undej the starlit Bky. Indeed, every form 4 amusement may be witnessed on the stage) . of the New York roof-gardens. Maduidt Square IW-(Wen.an<L# Waldorf Asfcortf i .Aerial Garden" ate both very large, and may (be described as' 'perfect pictures in th« . height of the season. Round tfhe stag* aomd thousands of «<*tfot*able d«ck-6hal«' are placed, with .little tables here and «thete, amongst which waiters silently trip atttnding to the. wants of the visitors. Altogether the roof -gardens, an entirely new innova* tion, have proved a decided success go fat as New York is concerned. To the south, of. Paris there is a place" called Kobinson, where the restaurants and dining-rooms are • . ' BUILT IN THB BRANCHES OP THE ' TREES. Here, during 'the season, thousands of nieala •are seryed in the tree-tops to the visitors from the gay . capital. Robinson is well known in Paris, and takes its name from! that famous book " Swiss Family Robin&pn." Every Parisian boy and gin is taken to Robinson by their parents, just as London children are .taken to the Zoo in He* gent's Park. , ' - Practically this unique town is the treetops belongs to one man, M. Guesquin, tn« originator of the idea. The largest tiee it called Le Vrai Arbre de Robinson. Therci are no fewer than three distinct restaurant! or huts in this particular tree. Tihe first one is built on the finst branoh of the tree ;l tbe second on a higher limb on the other side of the trunk ; and the third amongst) the topmost branches, from whioh a fuie view of the prrfbunding country is ob-j tained. A stairway connects all these rustic , huts with one another, and' during the seM son thousands partake of some kind of re* past in these novel, yet delightfully cool* resorts.