Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-24
nountains stretching no around. This house

mountains stretching up around. This house
is nearly on the site of the Wiley house de-
stroyed by the avalanche in 1926 Finally,
dashing through deep rock-cut, we come
out into the beautiful plateau where the
Crawford House is situated. Lying at the
foot of Mt. Willard, with other peaks shut
ting it in. the place is a most attractive one.
Here halt was made for dinner, which was
served at the Crawford House, and in mate
rial and variety was all the most exacting
could ask.
After dinner ride was taken to the summit
of Mt. Willard.a team of four horses being re-
CURED to mount the almost perpendicular road.
just before reaching the top path descenjs
short distance on the mountain side, lead
ing to Hitchcock's Flume, deep, narrow
gorge or cut well worth seeing. The view,
too, across the valley is fine, Silver and
Crystal cascades being visible on the other
side. From this point path leads up to the
summit without returning to the road. The
view from willard down the Notch is mag
nificeDt, and well repays the journey up. Far
beneath you is the Wiley house, while the
slender thread Of the railroad winds along
the mountain side and at the bottom of the
valley you catch glimpses of the carriage
road, and off in another direction the top of
Mt. Washington can be seen, together with
the peaks of the Presidential range. The
descent is made In much shorter time than
the ascent.
On the return to Crawford's we were able
to take later train than the rest of the party,
and by stopping at Mt. Pleasant House, a
short distance from Crawford's, we intercept
ted the Mt. Washington train as it came
along. A few minu'e s' ride, part
of it up steep grade. brought
US to the Base Station. where we changed
to the odd little cars driven by still more pc
culiar looking engines, and soon began the
snail like ascent Of old Washington. To
person of very timid disposition this trip
might be the reverse of pleasant, for it is
certainly peculiar sensation that comes as
you feel yourself being pushed upward and
catch sight Of the steep grades ahead or look
back and see how the bottom has dropped out
from under you. while you hang. a good deal
like a spider, on the slender track which
leads up and up. Jacobs Ladder, the steep
est part of the track, has a grade of l34
inches in the yard. But the cars are not at
tached to the engines, and are provided with
numerous safety appliances in case of posi-
BILE accident to the engine. Added to this
is the comforting thought that in all the time
the railroad has been in operation not sin.
gle person has been injured The views as
you ascend, constantly changing. are magn6-
cent and the trip ought not to be missed. As
we neared the top we had fine sunset view.
in which, we were informed, we were spe-
cially fortunate. Indeed, events showed
that we were specially fortunate in making
the ascent that night. The rule is TO seize
any favorable opportunity of ascending. as
the weather is 50 changeable that this is of
all places the one where what day may
bring forth is uncertain.
We passed the night at this Summit House,
after visiting the editorial rooms of Among
the Clouds, and seeing the moon rise-two
important things. At the hotel everything
was done to make the guests comfortable.
The ksuse is provided with steam heating
apparatus and on cold nights (like the one on
which our visit was made) steam is turned on
in all the rooms.
Sunday morning dawned clear and frosty,
everything being covered with white coat
ing, but all hands muffie up and went out to
view the sunrise. The effect was most
beautiful, rs the sun came up over the distant
horizon; shining upon the heecy clouds that
lay in the hollows and covering all with
rosy TINT After a most excellent break fast, .
we took the first train down. Stopping at
the Fabvan station, we took a coach to the
away, where all that one can need in a quiet
way can be found. | mean that this house,
which is one of the oldest in the mountain
region. while not as imposing in appearance
a., and not aiming at the style of, some other
mountain hotels, furnishes good beds and
good food, and homelke feeling pervades
ii. The proprietor, Mr.. Il. ID. Rounsevel,
will do all possible to make his guests com
Portable. The rates are very reasonable and
the points of interest can be reached from
here as easily MS from any other house, while
the situation is picturesque. few minutes
walk brings you to the lower falls of the Am
mono0suc, which are well worth seeing
For party that should wish place to stop
at moderate price, from which to make
tramps or take rides around the mountain
region, this house can be recommended
Here we passed Sunday and Monday morn
ing, finding it necessary to turn our faces
homeward, we reluctantly took leave of this
both grand and beautiful region. But being
determined to make the most of our time we
stepped at Glen Station and were driven
some three miles, along the road leading to
the Glen House on the eastern side of Mt
up to Jackson Falls. For a
spot to which the adjective lovely will more
truly apply one will have to seek diligently.
MS can be SAID without the slightest lnten-
ton of fulsome advertising. All these inter-
wales among the mountains are carpeted with
bright green turf. and here pretty summer
cottages with well-kept gardens add to the
natural beauty. Here are Jackson's Falls,
W here the Ellis river rushes down a wild.
rocky course, forming picturesque falls.
The hotel rates are reasonable, and this is a
Isvorite resort of artists. From the Glen
Station we took our last look of Mt. Wash.
ngton, its top already covered with snow. In
point of vsriety of weather we were highly
favored on this short trip, for Saturday was
clear. Sunday it rained By fits all day, with a
ihunder shower in the night, while the Sum-
NIT was visited with snow, while Monday. as
we descended and came into more level re-
gions, the sky was again clear. Resuming the
ourney,we again left the cars at Intervsle, a
station about two miles from No. Conway,
and very picturesquely situated. After
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