Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-21

do not encounter in our journeylngs be-
tween Forest Lodge and Lake Tahoe than
that afforded by the laughing waters OF this
cascade, which, rushing over rocks fifty
| feet in hight, falls in shower of diamond
sparkles into mosy rocky basin and then
speeds away adown the canyon. Miss
| Julia Wilson has taken a sketch OF this,
and she will soon convert it into an oil
painting. Ii my Quiet Hour friends would
like to see lovely bit of California scenery
let them inquire for this, which L
think they may find ere long at
Perry & Co. s, Oakland. l am certain a
sight of it will seem to the dwellers of the
pent up cities like strolling away from
busy cares to the cool, shady wildwood,
and, like draught of crystal cold water on
a.hot, summers day, will afford refreshing
rest. How tempestuous the current OF the
American river as we drive now on its
banks. Settling and boiling into snowy
foam it lashes the towering rocks and hur-
ries on, chanting the grand anthem which
all the softer voices are singing. Chants
of the far-away, snow-crowned mountains,
! its store-house of the kind Father who,
mindful of the far awsy valley grain Lands,
of the wooded nights, thought also OF the
! ferns and the MOSES that must be loved
by the waters. What grand, glad SER
mon all Nature seemed preaching. How,
! in these tabernacles, a spirit seems ever
breathing, "a loving Omnipotent power
has ordered all this His the overriding
hand His the tender care" How lovely
the banks of the river, shaded by low
dropping maple and alder, beneath which
bright flowers of myriad hues blend in rich
commingling, and the glossy-foliaged
azalea shrubs, laden with their burden Of
beautiful buff and white blossoms, fill the
air with delightful perfume. Never noting
the miles Ger which we are borne, nor how
the sun has climbed up IN the sky, we find
ourselves near Z" Natures volcanic amphi-
theater," as Byron would have termed the
cathedral-like rocks near Straw berry valley.
Here it seems the old gods and goddesses
might have bestowed their rewards and
punishments in the far-away tabled cons,
for the lofty nights bear likeness to many
form and face. a lovely plateau, DER
spread conveniently with. wide, smooth
rocks, and shaded by gigantic trees, affords
us just the place for our monday encamp-
ment. What a dining-roon it was, with
the bright blue dome above, frescoed with
little snowy clouds. On one side the river
walled and wept, and on the other merry
brook danced and laughed, while all about
the mighty " sky attaining hills were
there up piled. A snow-bank near at hand
afforded US refreshing GOODNESS for our
lemonade Here we rested two happy
hours, then on through the gloriously I'M
folding panorama, and the top Of the first
summit is attained, and here We pause,
looking down thousands and thousands OF
feet into the rich pasture lands of Lake
valley, while far beyond, get like jewel
among the overgazing nights, CLEAN and
glisten the blue waters of Lake Tahoe. In
the magnitude of the scene our voices are
silenced. Our road, like winding stair
case, deseends the mountain we pursue it,
and when part way down encounter snow
drift surrounded by moss -pinks and pen
stemous growing in tropical luxuriance.
Nature seems indeed to blend her seasons
here to make the landscape fair. Merrily
we dash through the fiower-dotted sward
of Lake valley and come at length to the
pleasant grounds of the Tallac House, a
lovely country hotel nestled in grove of
tamarack and silver aspen trees about
thirty yards from Lake Tahoe. The
grounds are as nature made them, with the
exception of nicely graveled walks leading
through carpet of verdure where trailing
wild strawberry vines and delicate wild flow.
ers weave rich embroidery. Lake Tahoe is
very beautiful in the purple half light in
which we behold it, for the sun has passed
far down the sky when We arrive. Every
influence about the place is quiet and rest.
full, and we are heartily sorry that we must
limit our stay to two days. Fallen Leaf
Lake is distant about three miles, and is
reached by a delightful woodland road
frightened all along its way by the Won
derful snow.plant. Fallen Leaf is beau
tifully- surrounded sheet Of water. Mount
Tallac's mirror, Soda Springs, mile and
half beyond, are much visited by health
seekers. Our last day at the lake was, |
believe, the browning one of all, for then,
in bonnie little boat, we sailed away from
Emerald Bay. How smooth and clear and
beautiful the waters of the lake. Like
my own life they seemed to me-so very
quiet. Aud all around the lofty nights
arise, whose SUBMITS other footsteps have
attained. But we must be content to glide
in sweet tranquility below. Let others
toiling struggle on up, up the nights
they win what they achieve by weary
hours. All, why not be content to sail
forever here in dreamful ease. They tell
me beautiful Lake, that you, too, grow
weary of these narrow bounds, and moan
in maddened restlessness and toss your
waters high to fall again in tired spray.
That you are treacherous, beautiful waters,
and that in your still deeps many warm
heart has ceased to beat, and that You
hold your victims for your very own, and
taking them to the deepest depths, pin
them there forever. That in your waters
there is mystery that none can solve.
But it does seem to me, if dying were all
over, IL would be very sweet to sleep in
your calna purity. Oh, dreamy happiness,
to glide and muse and love the water
But waited on, we come at length to En-
erald Bay. How feeble seem all words
enhancing beauty and enrapturing gran
deur, we land in very garden OF delight.
The home it might be of the sylvan deities.
Their nectar the purling rill OF cold crystal
water which, through MOSES and fern,
threads the fowes strewn velyety sward.
Their ambrosia the life giving perfumed
air that sets the aspen leaves all aquiver
above the moss grown rocky grottoes that
may be their homes. But we hear voicein
the distance. 1t is the rush OF waters,
Auu HOH We IL anu
the brandy way we hurry on up, up, the
nights, but still we are in the depths when
we have reached the highest crag our foot.
steps dare. Most glorious reward for the
toll of the upward way. For there in all
we behold the flashing waters
Of Eagle Falls, descending from lofty hight;
a boiling, seething mass it hurries on over
jagged crag and rounded bowlder until
at length all gloriously it falls into the
green quiets of Emerald Bay. And all
about nights DER nights arise in g tower,
dome and battlement." And it seemed to
me while, viewing this grand scene, could
but pour forth the song that filled my soul
in the melody that l could feel, it would
be, indeed, a sweet relief, that if in the
happy land there are such sanctuaries we
might unwearied form a part of the grand
scene singing praises. We glide back in
the beautiful afternoon light, and our way
is gladdened by the clear sweet tones of
Miss Fishers cultured voice singing, 1.-The !
day is DONE" and it seemed to me no
sweeter music ever Aoated out upon the |
air than that which then was waited DER |
the waters of Lake Tahoe, such was the in |
huence of our surroundings. We see the last |
day-heam folded away in the garments of |
the night, and feel in real sadness that no |
longer for us will CLEAN the blue waters or !
arise the lofty, snow-crowned nights and |
u-a hid than a1ia,, a. u a ,obfa ,a,, fo,,l |