This thread is really about characterizing a bottle, but it might be
worthwhile recommending that the list members visit Ellenville, NY.  It is an
excellent example of a company town that lost it's industry.  This town is in an area
with three really great natural attractions.  One is the Shawangunk Mountains,
a great rock climbing area.  This ties in with glass manufacture because the
quartzite that forms the "Gunks" was mined to make glass.  Located on the
mountains is Sams Point, a legendary "jumping off place", if you will, of American
history.  Sams Point is also the predominant feature in the Sams Point
Preserve, a 4,600 acre tract of ridgetop dwarf pine barrens that contains dozens of
rare plants and unique ecosystems.  In addition, the Ellenville Ice Caves are
located in the preserve and immediately above the town.  They were a big
Victorian-era attraction and are worth the hike to see.  It's a steep hike, so be
prepared.  But, it is literally "cool" if you go up the canyon to the west of
the quarries that supplied the Ellenville Glass Works.  After the hike, look
through the town.  There are lots of historic buildings that indicate that the
town's glory days were in the past.  If you are hungry after your treks, eat at
the Ellenville Chinese Restaurant.  The name certainly doesn't put on any
airs, but the food is excellent and rivals some Manhatten restaurants in quality,
if not "airs."


Steve Stokowski
Stone Products Consultants
Building Products Microscopy
10 Clark St., Ste. A
Ashland, Mass. 01721-2145
508-881-6364 (ph. & fax)
http://members.aol.com/crushstone/petro.htm