Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-19
A Vacation Ramble.

HARRISON, Me, Oct. s, 1873
Monday morning at North Conway presented a
novel sight. Notwithstanding the "ethereal mild
ness" of the weather, the slight rain of the day
before took the form of snow on the higher peaks
and when we went in the morning to view the
mountains, Washington and its immediate neigh
bors were covered with snow. Illuminated by the
rising sun, these mountain heights presented a
brilliant and striking appearance. The landlord
informed us that this was the third time the same
thing has happened the present season.
We could not well leave North Conway, with
out paying a visit to some Of the various curios-
ties which abound in the neighborbood. So, on
Monday morning, we took ride first through the
Struggling village. which have already very i'm
perfectly described. We then crossed the Saco,
on new bridge which has been erected within a
few years, where there was formerly rather diss-
areeable if not dangerous ford. The first object
of curiosity was Echo Lake, small sheet of wa
ter at the foot of a mountain or cliff. 1t was
reached by pleasant ride through the sweet
scented and many-hued forests, which spread their
over. arching branches above the road. The lake
Is small but quiet and lovely in its picturesque
beauty. 1t is chiefly remarkable for the echo
which gives il its name. This is beard with won
dtrful distnctness. Any sharp call or shout, in
voice not much beyond the Ordinary tone, is heard
as if some one beyond the opposite cliff distinctly
repeated the same sound or words. 1t was no,
necessary to use much effort in order to obtain the
response. As our ladies said "good bye" in
moderately loud voice, the answer came in a tone
but slightly lower, as though person beyond the
lake. replied good bye"
Leaving this, and following other dreamy
wood-roads winding round" we were conducted
to what is called the Devils Den 1t is beneath a
pile of split rocks, split by natures forces near the
foot Of high cliff. These rocks are so heaped
together as to form cave with a narrow entrance.
extending fifty or sixty feet under the heaped IN
pieces Of broken granite. No devils made thei,
appearance on the occasion, and probably such
fellows are too fond of human society to make
their home in such dark and lonesome place.
Not far from this spot are the immense cliff.
called the Cathedral Rocks. These are nearly
thousand feet in height, broken and scanned in an
pearance, and extending quarter or half a mile
They bear fancied resemblance to the castle.
and cathedrss Of the old world, built Of massive
stone, with towers and turrets, bsttlemeut. and
bsrbicans of every shape and form. But these
cliffs are OF natures building, sometimes perpen-
dicular, sometimes shelving over, and sometime.
feceding. In one place, called a cave, bat not
really cave, you can walk under the OVERLAND
ing crsgs to depth Of some forty or fifty feet
To some 1t appears, however, little fearful when
they observe the vast broken fragments of stone
beneath the cray, and the scanned and cracked face
Of the rocky heights above.
On one of these cliff. seen from a distance. may
be discovered the figure Of white horse in the
pct Of lespiDg With little help of the magma