The hydraulic press., 1861-07-20
A Ride in the Mountains,

A few mornings ago we were up before the
sun, and seating our little family in fine buggy,
with safe team from Saxby's stable, placed at
our disposal by kind friend for that purpose,
drove off, full of expectation, for Joyous ride
among the ridges of the upper mountains. Our
journey lay directly that splendid road lead
ing from Freeman's Crossing to Bope's Ranch,
in Plum Valley. The air was bracing, and the
cooling shadows cast by an oblique sun-when
that luminary began to show his brazen coun-
tenance through the interstices of the pine for
ests-were exhiliarating and rejuvenating be-
yond expression. There was more beauty in the
scene than even poetry could portray, to look
down from the tortuous windings of the hillside
roads, into the deep and dark cafions below; to
witness the precipitate retreat of burrowing
squirrels into their holes-sometimes tumbling
head over heels in their hurry to gain place of
safety; to see the smoke settle in blue clouds
along the bases of the hills to contemplate the
various growths of timber along the way-side,
and imagine the Madrone spiced with cinnamon
aroma; to behold the evidences of increased pop
ulation, the Improvements in houses, fences,
gardens, orchards, ornamental vines and flower
ing shrubs; to pass over the romantic back
bones of towering ridges, at spanking trot; to
dive into the forest, and emerge from it again;
to encounter the delightful mountain-br to
gaze off towards the ocean, and witness the dim
outlines of the coast-range; to look ahead, and
trace the higher ranges of hills by their belts of
sparkling snow; to experience, in fine, gush
of mingled sentiments and emotions, only to be
felt at such time, on such an excursion, when
the cares of business are purposely forgotten,
and nature presents its vast volume of inde-
scribable beauties to be perused.
At eleven o'clock, the Bope Ranch was
reached, where four or five hours were pleasantly
spent in the society of the intelligent and hos
pitable proprietor, who is now also the host; and
whose elegantly prepared dinner of squads and
equally palatable ct ceteras, was only equalled
by the generous quality of his sparkling Held
sleek.
Leaving Bopes in the cool of the afternoon,
distance of ten miles, all down hill, were
traversed, over the same smooth road, where the
liabilities to accident, with safe horses, are not
in proportion of one to hundred. Two miles
above the river, the pleasant halting place of the
Mountain Home" by Messrs. Wright & Coates,
is encountered. Here the excursionist who con-
suits his own pleasure and comfort, will stop for
an hour, not only to enjoy the surrounding
scenery, cool himself under the influence of the
refreshing breeze that comes softly and steadily
up from the neighboring ravine, but also to
drink the healthful spring water, take look
through the garden, or it may be-time and cir
cumstances suiting-to partake of good meal,
such as on former occasion we remember to
have eaten there.
From this point, the descent is into the canon
of the Middle Fork of the Yuba, and the road
sweeps along the base of the hill to Freeman's.
Here the bridge is crossed, and hard pull lies
before the horses, up, up, till San Juan bursts
upon the vision, into which one drives at lively
trot, and dismounts-happy to know that one
day has yielded SO much pleasure, without the
occurrence of accident.