what came first? the egg or the chicken...

What came first? The story or the town... The statue or the tale... That is the question, though it is easier to anwser than the title of this particular post.

Washington Irving, a native New Yorker, wrote many pieces. His two most famous short stories were: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, a story of a headless horseman in the small town of Sleepy Hollow; and Rip Van Wrinkle, a tale of a man who slept for 20 yrs.

In today's world these stories can be considered truthful or fact. There is a town in New York known as Sleepy Hollow, it takes pride in being the final resting place for W. Irving. In March of 1997 is when the town took the name it holds today and so we know the story came first. As it does with the wonderful statue of a sleeping Rip Van Wrinkle at the top of Hunter Mountain in Hunter, NY.

This statue seems to be a secret only few know about. They don't advertise it at the skiing resort at all. My father show it to me in the summer of 2005, that's the only time you can find it too(summer and early fall). Take the Skyride to the top of the mountain and make a left and keep close to the egde, but please don't fall. You'll soon come to a small wood and a small trail will reveal it's self to you. Take it! Follow it and in a matter of five to ten minutes you'll find a small opening. In front of you is an outlook, a panoramic view of the towns below, and behind you is the life size statue of Rip Van Wrinkle. I truely wish I had a picture of it, but I didn't bring a camera when I visited it and I can't find any mention of this little treasure online. So please, take my word for it! The town it's self is wonderful as well. Hike, mountain bike, camp out, or just go up for the day, have a drink at MacGregor's pub, and dinner at Pancho Villa's Mexican Restaurant. Have fun and enjoy!