Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-09-25
OUR EXCURSION.
ELvENTON.
Sept. Goth, 1871.
,ANDovER, Sept. 20, 1871

ANDovER, Sept. 20, 1871.
| To the Editor of The Jonrnal:-
Here we are at this paradise of summer
tourists, and Mecca Of city pilgrims. We
have always wondered why three or four hun
dred city boarders make their home every
summer at little village away in the interior
of Maine. And so we came here to solve the
problem.
We left Weld Monday forenoon, and after
pleasant ride through the ''Long woods" by
fine forest road about six miles in length,
and then about the same distance through a
settled and cultivated country. passing on the
way the famous Sugar Loaf mountains, we
reached Dixield. There we turned our
course up the picturesque and beautiful An
droscoggin, amidst scenery ever changing,
but ever enchanting. Fording Swift river
near its mouth, we soon passed Rumford
Falls, one Of the finest waterfalls in Maine.
Although not to be compared to Berlin Falls
in the variety and extent of interesting views,
there is larger quantity of water at Rum
ford, and the principal fall excels in height
any fall at Berlin. The charm of Berlin Falls
consists in their raging and tumbling betwixt
walls of solid rock for such distance, pleas
ing the eye at every point with ever changing
beauty. Here the fall is on gradual scale,
and when the river is full of water, as now,
presents a grand and attractive view. Artists
resort to this place, to sketch the fall and its
surroundings.
ANDOyER.
From Runford Point to Andover is one of
| the pleasantest rides one can take. The road
is smooth and level, leading up the banks of
Ellis river, and the hill and mountain scenery
is beautiful beyond description. Cultivated
farms and neat farm houses, with green mead
ows and pasture slopes extending far I'D the
sides of the mountains, extend along the
river while in the background on either hand
: rise rugged heights clothed with ancient for.
, ests, interspersed with bare and broken erags
r The village Of Andover is one of the love
= Hest we have ever seen. Situated on leve
, plain where there is abundance of space fol
r. growing and extending, the inhabitants have
not felt the necessity of crowding their houses
;
ment or convenience. There is an unusua
number of large and handsome houses witt
ample gardens and surroundings. Due at
tention is paid to the cultivation of ornament
al trees and shrubbery, although the nativ
forests are in full view of every part of tn
village. This place has not that new ant
unfinished look which mars the beauty O
many new and growing villages. An un
usual degree of taste and culture is exhibite,
in the dwellings and in the streets. Tn
streets are broad, level and smooth and The
soil is of such character that it does not be
come muddy whenever it rains, nor wash mt
ruts, to mar its even surface.
Not only the village, but its environs, ar,
picturesque and charming. There are said Il
be many pleasing drives Of a few miles ia dit
ferent directions. We are ready to heliev,
this from what we have seen during the shOr
time we have spent here. There are severa
fine bridges across the Ellis river, and pleas
ant residences empowered in fruit and shade
trees on the other side. few miles away
is said to be pretty pond which attracts many
| visitors.
1t is about ten miles to the Richardson lake,
and fishing parties are frequently passing to
and fro, although they have to foot it part OF
the distance. Considerable fishing and hunt
ing is done in this neighborhood, and trout
and partridges in great numbers suffer death
at the hands of sportsmen.
CASCADES on FRYE's BROOK.
About five miles from Andover are some
remarkable cascades on brook called Frye's