Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-08-13
A TRIP TO PEAKS ISLAND.

Vermont are visiting 1t as summer
resort, the editor thought to spend a
few days there in search of rest,
recreation and information, and &C
cordingly with his better half, little
GIRL and other friends went there on
the 30th ult. remaining about ten
DAYS. The ride, of one hundred and
fifty miles, is made in a few hours, if
desirable. The Air Line express
train which passes this place at
1.42, afternoon, connects with a
through express train on the Portland
& Ogdensburgh at st. Johnsbury,
which reaches Portland in the eve
ming. If little time is wanted for
a brief visit among the White Noun
tain hotels, the mail or New York
trains will carry one to st. Johns
bury in season to connect with
morning train for the mountains:
where four hours can be spent at
Fabyan's, at the Crawford or other
points of interest. 1t is probable
that a majority of the people in Or
leans and Caledonia counties never
visited the mountain section of New
Hampshire, and have never enjoyed
the pleasure that may be felt in behold
ing the wonders of this region, which
tourists from all parts Of the world
are annually visiting at great cost
of money and effort. We have not
space to give even brief descrip-
ton, but recommend that all who
have opportunity, visit the White
Mountains. This is not the best
season for the purpose, as every ho-
tel is full and the expense is greater
than the most of us can afford. But
during the early months of summer
OF later in the fall visit can be
made, either by rail or team, that
would be most enjoyable, and not
expensive. We took the morning
train from St. Johnsbury and
reached Fabyan's atnoon. This large
and popular hotel is well filled with
tourists. and affords every facility
for pleasure, rest and the enjoyment
which comes from the sight of the
grand and beautiful in nature. 1t
is situated on a plain at the foot of
the mountain range, in sight OF
Mount Washington and the lofty
peaks surrounding it, and in easy &C
cess to all points Of interest. A
branch of railroad extends to the
base of Mount Washington where
connection is made with the railroad
to the summit. A few miles further
on is the Crawford House. Situated
lust at the entrance of the celebrated
Notch, where the railroad passes be-
tween the mountains at great expense
and along a most difficult and dan
gerous route. Through this notch o.
pass in the mountains, great traf
fic was carried on before railroad
times between Portland and thu
northern sections of New Hampshir,
and Vermont, and some of our eldes
readers will remember the time whel
they carried their pork and other sta
pies to that city, bringing back Yves
India goods and other commodities.
The route from Crawford's to Up
per Bartlett is one that cannot b
excelled for grand scenery and diff
cult railroad building in this part Q
the country. The road enters th
notch by passing through a long
deep ledge cut and then clings to tn
side of an almost perpendicula
mountain by narrow crease cut
the stone, winding along like a snak
as it makes descent of 120 feet t
the mile for eleven miles. Opposit
the famous Wiley House, noted fC
the destruction of the Wiley famil
by the mountain slide, years age
the road is probably thousand fe'
above the highway, and so steep
the mountain that rocks, earth an
trees are coming down almost dali,
requiring the greatest care to kee
the track clear and in safe condition
AS the road passes the ravines cut
the mountain side, iron bridges ira
erse deep chasms and iron trestl,
reach up to support the slender ire
girders that bear in safety the heaN
trains as they pass at rapid spec
The ride through the notch and alor
the mountain side is grand and aw
inspiring. The remainder of Il
route to Portland is through q COZ
paratively level country, once cove
ed with pine, but now chiefly devot
to farming. The land is poor al
the crops very slim compared wi
Vermont crops. Portland has t
advantage of an excellent harbC
several railroads and some consid(
able foreign and inland trade, b
suffers from the fact that the gre;
er New England metropolis, Bosto
is only one hundred miles away, a
other large towns in Maine div,
business. The great area burn
over few years since has been &C
cred with new and better building
but there is some burden of debt y
weighing down the citizens and h
dering the progress which might o
erwise be made. The city is fai
prosperous, however, is pleasan
and conveniently situated for forei
and inland commerce and must
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