, 1888-11-08
TO LIBERTY LAKE.
A Lady Drives Thither and De-
scribes the Country.
Her Pleasant Jaunt to Where
Nature Alone Holds Sway.
The Fine Sheet OF Water sixteen Miles
from spokane--InGtdentsb by the
Wayside "A Pen Picture.

In response to an invitation rendered uc
by young married pair from Maine, who
have fallen desperately In love with the
beautiful city Of Spokane, husband and
myself, also recently from Maine, Joined
them in drive sixteen miles out to a
sheet of water known as Liberty lake.
Never having read or heard description
of this pretty little lake and fearing that
| il isbeing overlooked as one of the lesser
| stars in Spokane's constellation of brill
liants, concluded to write few lines to
| the REVIEW in its favor, knowing that in
| no other way would it reach so many eyes
| and ears
THE JAuNT TH1THER.
The morning selected for our drive was
cool and clear, everything being favorable
for a day Of pleasure. We took our way
along winding road leading out of the
city between massive rocks, over railroad
tracks (which are becoming numerous
here) and graceful bridges, until rounding
= curve we drove out on the far extending
prairie terminating in the pine covered
bills and mountains in the distance whose
summit appeared above the low drifting
clouds like fairy islands floating in the
heavens; while the sivery Spokane wind.
ing gracefully along at our left formed
sufficient variety to please the eye OF artist
or poet.
Amidst all the many herds of COWS and
horses grazing here and there, the pictur-
esque cottages of the farmer, above which
slowly turning at the motion of the breeze,
| were the many colored wheels of the wind
mills erected to save the labor OF oldtime
pumping or bucket drawing. in order that
the farmers wife, as well as the farm ami
mails. may be provided with natures bev-
erage-pure. cold water. These, with the
general air of business and prosperity tell
of the enterprise and success OF Spokane
workers, while the golden grain In huge
stacks everywhere waiting for the tbresh-
| ers; the barns, sheds and yards filed with
hay; the clean yellow stubble left stand
ing after the harvest. all testify that de-
spite the very dry season things will grow
| in this wonderful soil--truly wonderful.
| when it will produce a bounteous harvest
with no rain for months and no visible
\ means of moisture.
| Ii Is "a puzzle to eastern farmers who
are filed with alarm if two weeks 60 by
without rain, lest their crops suffer, which
they are very apt to do. Everything
grows here in spite of wind, rain or any.
thing else. or without them rs the case
may be, and although one may study over
| il until like Tam O'Shanter." he Tint
his reason a thegither," the mystery re.
mains unsolved unless he decides, rs !
have, that the boom gets into the very
roots of things and they must rise.
| APPROACH TO THE LAKE.
All this time we are driving along, oc
casionally meeting a COW boy near his herd
of sleek looking animals; on through the
cape in the rock hills, until rounding a
bluff we come upon an arm OF the lake.
fippling in the breeze, and softly washing
the sparkling sand Of the shore. This we
follow until hidden away between the hills,
the lake appears in all it's natural beauty.
for unlike Medical and other lakes in the
neighborhood of the Falls, there Is little
| indication of human habitation here. I'm
| til after driving across sand bar to the
other side. we found but the home OF one
or two ranchmen and their families, who,
besides the care Of their cattle, are expert
menting with the soil in this vicinity
FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
Quite an orchard of apple, cherry and
plumb trees, lies costly nestled down on
the hillside, and the fruit compares very
favorably with that of Oregon or any
other part of the country, the winter APP
pies having the finest flavor of any have
eaten in the West. They have also raised
all kinds of berries and small fruits, and
this season, as new venture, they have
tried the cultivation of the sweet potatoe.
| This also proved success. and from the
vines the gentleman planted. ne brought u
| few hundred pounds TO the Spokane mar
ket, to discover how they would stand
comparison TO the imported potato. They
gave perfect satisfaction, which proves
that this also may be added to the long
| list Of industries belonging to this city
| and the surrounding country. After
chat with the gentlemen, we built our
| cam fire. prepared cup of the beverage
| that cheers. but not inebriates, and soon
were doing justice to the ample lunch
provided for us. by the ever-thought-
full ladies, of course, after which we
stroled on the beach, rowed upon the
lake. or rested near the fire, which the
chilly atmosphere rendered great addi-
tion to our pleasure and comfort.
AMIDST GREAT NATURE.
The lake is well provided with members
OF the fnny tribe, and abounds in game.
Hundreds of wild geese were walking de-
liberately about the shore, swimming over
the crystal water or flying in parties above
the hills. The water was also dotted
about with ducks. while the chattering
maepie and all other birds common to this
vicinity fitted among the pine trees all
around. thus presenting broad field to
the sportsman. 1t was pleasure TO find
the gentle bird and broad. winged fowl 30
free from fear of what call their fellow
man.
A SUGGESTION.
| We would recon- mend to all who are
weary Of business toll, or fashions false
ness. and who desire few hours OF rest
and peace amid natures solitude. to take
| drive over the level road leading to the
| banks of this beautiful little lake. very APP