Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-06-18
Helena, Montana Thursday, June IS, 1885.

views Almost invariably obscured by clouds
But the tramps through the valleys, and over
and about the less ambitious heights, along
the dry bed Of former glistening streams, an
occasional scramble across an impeding ice
gorge, Is exciting enough for most amateur
walkers IL is unnecessary to overdo; for
there are plenty Of short excursions TO train
10, and In the elixir Of the Alpine air il is
possible TO accomplish, ahsolutels unfs
ugued, what on a lowe. level, aud IN 8
moist at 1osnhere, would De completely
e1hauS:!ng. Chamounix is an admir-.
able base for excursions, although
II Is also conventional enough TO De ap-
preached by diligence over an excellent road
from Geneva. Then Interlaken, with the
endless opportunities ofthe Bernese Oberland
within easy distance, and Meiringen, in the
midst of the glaciers and Samarden, the key
10 the lovely EngGdne, and the dozens of
points that rise in mind at the thought Of a
summer tramp in the Alpine Republic. All
that is needed for a trip of this kind is a fair
degree of health, keen enjoyment of outdoor
life, stout shoes, simple, tough garments, an
alpenstock and abundance of good temper,
the last the most needful of all. Luggage
can always he sent ahead 10 meet one at ac-
ceSsible points, and this tedious responsibility
Of ordinary travel be thus avoided
1t is the writer's observation that where
women once taste Of the pleasures of pedes-
triansm, they become TO the full as enthusi-
hstic IN its enjoyment as men, while its effect
npon their health is quite remarkable Dur
ing some experience in Switzerland il was
noticed that Of the few women walkers the
Americans invariably showed higher tone
and exhibited more staying power than
the women of any other nationality, not ex-
cepting the English, who have long been
counted supreme "a foot-womeu. The pecu-
liar elasticity Of the Americas temperament
appears to be physical, no less than mental,
and produces quality Of "go" which more
phlegmatic natures do not have
These few suggestions have so overaowed
their allotted space that there is 10 chance
to mention 4 horseback or walking
tour through the Black forest, the anus
ing mcnotOny of a trcchSchHit trip ON
Dutch canal, or cross country
drive through Norway, in addition to the
famous sea trip TO the North Cape. An these
have their special attractions, and no one
need fear sameness in a European vacation
who viii give little thought to it, possibili-
ties Of variation. The great difficulty OF
most travellers in most countries is that they
take no pains before they start To inform
themselves, either through the study %
guide-books or independent research, con-
cerning what they want, and wan: not to see
aud do, and when, where and how they can
see and do it. Hence, upon transatlantic ar
rival, they tind themselves hampered by a
childish ignorance, and in order to save their
time and temper resign themselves To the
most frequented routes and largest centres.
A little provision, and a very limited knowl-
edge Of foreign tongues makes il possible to
enjoy the pleasure OF being an explorer 10
fhs heart of civilization.
MARGARET ANTHoS.