Once a military trail, now a lovers’ lane, Flirtation Walk or Flirtie Walk was opened to West Point Military Academy Cadets and their guests in the 1840’s as one of the few places they could flirt and kiss in private. Part of the path is smooth sailing on firm ground, but there’s bumpy parts, too–perfect for falling into your guy’s arms.
In my upcoming novel, Buck Crenshaw’s romantic dreams are thwarted on one balmy evening along Flirtation Walk as the military band practices in the open air. We all know Rose Turner’s no good for Buck, but he doesn’t. A much better girl waits right under his nose, but you know young cadets. They’re silly.
Do people sneak off into the woods to make out anymore? In our town we had “The Pond” and “The Woods.” Is everyone afraid of ticks? Where did you go for secret romance?
Think while listening to Dick Powell sing about Flirtation Walk.
Author Adrienne Morris 
7 responses to “Where the Cadets Go for Kissing”
Considering your love of art and the fact Flirtation Walk sits along the Hudson River; You may have interest in the Hudson River artist — Martin Johnson Heade. I just ran across him and liked his work.
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I LOVE his work! American artists of that time are overshadowed by the modern Americans who took over art in the 20th century. Give me American 19th century art any day. 🙂
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Who said Victorians were… restrictive? 🙂
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They may have striven for purity but there is plenty of evidence to suggest they didn’t succeed 🙂
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Purity is a lonesome path…
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I wouldn’t know anything about it. 🙂
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I enjoyed this read– thank you.
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