Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-14
AT THE LAKE.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC PRINTER AT LAKE
TAHOE.

from Lance Clty, saying that Wnen ne le1l
the valley he couldn't kick feather out
of his way, but that he can now kick q
jackass clear across the street he had nc
appetite, but can now punish four square
meals daily he could scarcely walk, he
now takes spin of six miles and back be.
fore breakfast and an eighteen mile pull al
the oars after dinner he was istless, he
can now out whoop and out jump, out
shoot and out run, out talk and out sing
all the combined fraternity of typos. He
continues in this strain and under
the influence of renewed vigor:
"The superior attractions of Lake Tahoe
as summer resort, for either the pleasure
or health. seeker would appear to be but
little known to the large majority of the
people of this coast, if one is to judge from
the paucity of visitors. | deem its ad.
vantages, either as a sanitarium for the
enfeebled, or as a delightful pleasure resort
fer the healthy, of the highest order and
superior to most places. Here is an i'm
mense body of water eighty-fou miles in
circumference, of unfathomable depth-a
miniature ocean-perched in the crests of
Z
sea level, surrounded by mountains from
5000 to 5, 800 feet high, their slopes dressed
in evergreen and eternal snow, presenting
a picture of beauty, grandeur and SUBJ
Unity unsurpassed. The waters of the
lake are literally as clear as crystal, objects
on the bottom at depth of 100 or l40 feet
being as distinctly visible as the fingers on
ones hands, and their purity equals their
clearness. Another popularity of these
waters is their extreme density. OF the
dozen or more bodies drowned in the lake
not one has ever risen to the surface or
been recovered, all lying at the bottom of
their grand aqueous tomb. The lake never
freezes. Although in winter surrounded
by snow ranging In depth from ten to thirty
feet, and the thermometer % or 30 below
zero, yet the surface of the lake remains as
free from ice as the rushing waters of
the Sacramento fronting your CITY, The
lake abounds in trout, whitefsh, club
trout range from half pound to twelve
pounds and over in weight. and whitefish
attain to six and seven pounds. The min
nows, however, are small affairs, but are
exQuisitely teothsome. Trout do not bite
much just now. Admiral McDougal and
friend went out fishing on the lake yester-
day morning, and returned after two or
three hours trial without a fish.
=" The purity of the atmosphere at Lake
Tahoe is one of its greatest charms. The
thermometer during the summer ranges
from so in the night to IS in the day, and
the temperature is of just that delightful
state to render the climate absolutely per-
feet. have found none to equal it. Gen
tie breezes alternating with dreamy Gains,
are the rule. In the early morning, and
often during the day and evening, not
ripple can be seen to disturb the fair face
OF the lake-its surface as smooth as glass,
seeming like gigantic mirror, rejecting in
its depths natures grand majestic frame.
work, and presenting a scene of enchant-
ing loneliness. At such times no inspira-
ton or skill OF the artists pencil could half
do the subject justice
With such an exquisite climate and
such unrivaled scenery and surroundings
as are here afforded, and SO convenient of
access, too, it is passing strange that it
should be comparatively ignored by
the denizens of the valleys, or by the
people of San Francisco and the coast.
Were Tahoe located in the Alleghanies or
the White Mountains of New England,
instead of the wilds of the Sierras, it would
be the grand pleasure Mecca of a continent.
Immense caravansaries and elegant villas
would adorn its banks, and half million
people would revel in its delights. Sara
toga, Newport, Long Branch, Rocka-
way, White Sulphur and other rivals
would have to go to the rear. But its
superlative attractions will some day be
and what l have above pic.
tured will be popularity realized. Tahoe
affords one of the finest spots for rowing
races and regattas in the world, and for
light yacht sailing it is admirably adapted.
By the courtesy of Mr.. Bliss, man
ager of the Tahoe Lumber aud
Mill Company, / took a spin across
the lake the other day to Glenbrook, in
the screw steamer Meteor, belonging to
the company. The Meteor is small craft,
being only 50 feet in length, feet wide
and the same depth of hold, but she is
lightning on the wing as a traveller.
She went over at the rate of Is miles an
hour, with 10 pounds of steam, and
has accomplished nearly % miles an
hour with $50 pounds. There is
probably but one swifter boat on the
Pacific coast, the ferry-boat Newark, ply
ing between San Francisco and Alameda
she is thought to be little faster. In
going over we passed over the lava beds of
an extinct volcano, near Observatory Point
where the Lick observatory was first
Iocated). The mouth of the crater could
be plainly seen through the clear water of
the lake, at depths of from 100 to 100 feet,
with huge masses of lava and scoria scat
tered about. Nearly all the timber and
lumber required for the mines on the Com
stock lode are supplied by the Tahoe Lum-
Der Company, whose mills are located at
town of about 100 buildings,
and the largest on the lake. A narrow
gauge railroad transports the lumber to the
summit OF the mountains, where it is
shooted down the mountain side to the
Carson, and thence fumed to its destina-
ton. The narrow gauge is a model of en-
cheering skill, winding around the steep
sides in zigzag course, and in
one place it trayerses a distance of nearly
eight miles to accomplish but two
"Among the visitors here or who have
been here during the week are Admiral
and party of San Francisco
Major James Kinkead of Nevada and his
two vivacious nieces Major T. B. Stone
bill and wife of Virginia City; George W.
Chesley and wife of Sacramento, recupe-
rating from their late severe illness and
doing finely James A. Chesley and wife,
former Sacramentan, but now Deputy Sec
rotary of State of Nevada; Philip Scheld,
Jr., of Sacrameto, who has been in ill
health, but is rapidly regaining health and
strength w. H. Patton and family, Su-
of the bonanza mines at Vir-
ginia D. o. Mills and party Major Ben
B. Truman and family of San Francisco
John Gillig and wife. formerly of Sacra-
mento, now of Virginia. and Hank Monk,
Of Horace Greeley fame, who is now in
poor health.
Mrs. Z. B. Croker of your city and
Willie Croker went below Wednesday
last to attend the wedding of one of her
nieces but will return next week. In the
meantime 'Idlewild, her villa residence,
FIVE miles from Tahoe City, is occupied by
the other members of her family.
"a. C. Stevens and w. B. Miller, OF Sac
-, n,aoto made a nyino trim here laat SIM