Connecticut western news., 1878-07-18
A alimp.e of the White Mountains.

It Is not at all improbable that some of the readers of the News are debating where they can spend their fortnight vacation most enioyably. Let me call the attention of such to the beauties of the White Noun tain scenery, which, though justly celebra- ted. must be seen to be thoroughly enjoyed. And from @ personal experience of ten days, can assure any that tor an aston. ishingly moderate sum feast of mountain scenery can be had that will delight, be- yond description. The way it has been done is this: Arriving at Springfield at noon, good dinner at the Massassoit puts one in humor to en1oy the Connecticut river valley. Leaving at o'clock by the Express, we are whirled over two hundred miles of hard, smooth, steel.railed road at a rate of about thirty miles an hour-and no one who hasn't passed oyer this route can imagine the beauties and picturesqueness of this valley. Over high bridges. between green hills, around countless curves. tbro' lovely villages, the railroad follows the riv- CT like shadow. As the mile-pOsts be- tween us and Springfield multiply, the vii lAges grow fewer, the view wilder, and the green hllls near at hand have behind them . background of blue mountains in 5ho horizon. The two hundred miles are soon counted and we find ourselves in Littleton at sunset. This is the largest place m the immediate vicinity of the mountains; a pretty village in the valley and numberinR two CT three thousand inhabitants. We make headquarters at Thayer's. and we must say that never form Maine to Minne- sotA have we found such kind attention and regard for our enjoyment on the part of hotel propr1etors as at Thayers. Of thir- ty years standing, this hotel well deserves . rest of day, in which we explore the various points near l.. and enjoy the noun fAlns at distance, we ake horse and bug U for 2 drive through the trancon1a whose tops many enjoy the mountains. ne- cessitato good roads, which add much to the pleasure of the drive. We pass qualnt. shayp-roofed farm hOuseS here and there, and as we approach, the hugs dimensions ef Mt. Lafayette grow upon us. Through the little village of Franconia, up hill, and we enter the Notch; she road running at the valleys bottom and the mountains rising hundreds of feet above on either hand. Eehe and Profile Lakes call forth we stop for moment Ten hundred feet above us Tn the gray rock nature has chis- sled the hugs head of man. The face. in reality eighty feet in length; appears but e Mountain" affects us with wonder and awe. Thence on to the Hume, seventeen miles from Littleton, and we stop for din ner. We catch glimpse of tho dark green Roel and rest in the cool shade of the Hume, where by freak of nature, we sec huge boulder lsdged many feet above our heads. between two perpendicular walls of rock. and apparently so lightly held that 2 hand might push 1t from it's place. On the return we see the wild scen- drive ot thIrty-four miles seems progress Mve. and % many arc the wonders and beauties of Franconla that at night we feel as If the day were not half long enough.
 And now let us take another excursion. this tune by rail. We leave Llttleton and 1 climb gradually up toward the base of Mt,l Washington. Passing various points d minor interest, the Twin and White Noun ! tain Houses, we arrive at FaDyan's. Here ing over ai away on nj the % left G are W Mt Wssb- SSs ingten and the neighboripg lofty peaks 1 We sso the train start to climb the wind | ing road to the summit. and then take our car Tor twenty-five miles down through l eionds rise from the summit of Mt. Wash | lngton and clear in the sunlight Rleams the | SHmmit House, on the rocky top where | trees cannot find sustenanee. After pass lng tne Crawford House We start down the | vaisy, the road running on one side and | haif way up the mountain slde. The MliGness and grandeur is past description. 1qenlng down seemingly endless grade, | 1lo feet every mile, the deep valley keeps | hundreds of feet below us on the left and |
 
 on the right. Shooting through deep cuts and oyer frightful trestles, past the cele- Drated Wiley house, where landslide rom the mountain whose side the railroad ll cuts. destroyed nine nl-fated persons in Q i single night during terrific storm past a |, hundred places of interest and wonder and sqe train stops in tho beautiful village of GeEth Conway. A rest, dinner and view es es. Aoant Kearsags and we are iready fer
 1s seemed ct the outset as if I could ave some description of White Mountain scenery of enough interest to convey some ldea of its beauty. but 1t is impossi ble nehce will abandon an impossible task .nd simply beg any who enjoy the Rran- deur and sublimlty of the noun ntains to be sure and not fail to sec rhe beauties and 'erth Tn the White Hills of New Hamp- 'hire.n II. F.R