The Worthington advance., 1876-06-15
MINNESOTA FAMILIES.

luRS nave Deeu IieQueutly sung, d1u
not unworthily but that is somewhat
out of the range Of summer travel.
This northwestern section of our coun-
try is famous summer retreat for the
residents of the more southern States
along the Mississippi the cities Of
New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis,
Cairo, St. Louis, and Keokuk contribu-
ting to the number Of tourists to
this region. In Minneapolis, ON the
east side Of the Mississippi, and which
was formerly St. Anthony, stands an
old hotel, no doubt quite stately in its
day, prior to the war, when it was the
fashionable resort from the places
above mentioned. Here people came
to get rid Of the oppressive heat of
southern climes, and to sail and fish
on the many beautiful lakes OF the
State, the color of whose waters rivals
that of the sky above; and to view
the birthplace and home of ''Minne-
haha, Laughing Water, LOWEST of
Dacotah women!'
But the war furnished other Occupa-
tion for these visitors, and the build
ing now stands a monument of depart
ed greatness, and is used as school or
academy, whose circular remarks that
the rooms are large and well ventilat-
led this latter information being no
stretch of veracity.
The Falls of st. Anthony, at this
place, do not display their natural per-
lection, owing to the necessity of plac-
ing an apron over them to prevent
them from committing suicide by un-
|dermining themselves and depriving
the world not only of their beauty but
of their powerful assistance in supply
ing to it it's daily bread. The places
|of interest for excursions from st.
Paul and Minneapolis, the two rival
queen cities of the northwest, are Lakes
Minnetonka and White Bear, and the
Dalles of the St. Croix River. To the
first two of these places hundreds of
people go in every week OF summer
weather to enjoy luxurious ease in
boating, fishing, or in simply existing
without a care or a thought for the
morrow, knowing that each day will
bring it's diversions and to the latter
to view the grandeur lin comparison
with the usual level monotony Of these
Western States) of it's rocky fastnesses.
A pleasant ride of an hour from
Minneapolis, on the St. Paul and Pa
cifc Railroad brings one to Wayzata at
| the foot of the beautiful sheet of wa
| ter, Lake Minnetonka, dotted with
pretty islands and forming deep bays
and arms, the delight of sportsman in
search of game, both fish and fowl.
At this place are several country
hotels with all the requisites for boat
ing and fishing but those who wish
to explore the headwaters should
embark on one of the two diminutive
steamers which ply to the farthest
end of the lake distance of eighteen
miles. Opposite Wayzata, about five
miles over, is the aspiring town of Ex-
celsior. Here is situated the largest
hotel on the lake, at which a good
many people come to spend their
leisure.
Stopping here a few minutes we
coast along until we come to an appar-
emily impossible marsh, but nothing
daunted, the steamer keeps on its
way, and after short struggle with
lilly pads, reeds, and the danger Of
getting aground emerges into another
arm Of this extensive lake. Passing
lin and out among the islands it comes
Ito Crane Island, where the herons
had built their nests for years undis.
|turbed until the advent of the steam.
ers, which have made it one of the
inducements of travel to encircle
the island on their trips in order to
|give vandal sportsmen the opportunity
of shooting uselessly the harmless
birds which inhabit it.
The ardent sportsman, and those
who are satisfied with the plainest of
flare should stay and enjoy the beauties
of nature revealed in this vicinity.
The fishing here is very good indeed,
and a morning troll will yield fine
string of pickerel and black bass, the
latter weighing from one to six pounds.
About a mile from the house is small
|pond which will well repay the angler
who takes the trouble to have boat
carried to it.
! A great number of wood duck and a
flew mallards and teal are to be found
!; here at all times during the summer
About the lst of September the young
wood duck afford fine sport. A trip to
Crane Island will charm the natural
list. Here he will find the blue heron
l(Arclea hcrodias,) the double-crowned
cormorant (Graculus dilophus, and the
turkey buzzard (Cathartes aura,
Eight or more nests of the two former
may often be counted in one tree
Woodcock may be met with now and
then. Looms are abundant, and with
their demoniacal laugh bid defiance tc
to those who vainly strive to capture
them. That most beautiful and grace
full of our species of birds of prey, the
tailed kite, (Nauclerus forti
! catus,) can be seen here soaring over
the woods or gliding along fence row:
!, picking up stray grasshoppers ant
eating them on the wing. The birG
| |most honored in this Centennial veal