Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-10
GLEN ALPINE.
A SUMMERS DAY In THE HIGH
SIERRAS.
Climbing to Terrestrial Hights to
Catch Inspiration from Views
Our Country Affords.
For the REccRD-U -UN1oS.l

For the REccRD-UNoN.l
Glen Alpine a frontispiece of one of
Natures books of loveliest life-a sweet
picture of quiet glen nesting among the
Sierras, and looking up to them trustingly
as its only companions. Just here, where
tie soft sunshine fingers, stands the old
mountain home. How peaceful it appearsl
Should we knock at the rude door at this
season of the year, there would be a
startled silence, and the wind would
whisper low, "They have gone; l bade
them go ere they perished in the snow"
This grove surrounding the house is the
favorite restingplace of guests. One lies
beneath the pines and tamaracks, and
feels strangely fragile compared to
them as they rise in sturdy energy
of life to lofty nights. We do not
see the stream that borders the grove,
nor hear the song it sings to excuse the ab-
sent birds. Very few of the pretty ''feath-
cred family" ever visit this resort.
Stretching out in all directions from the
Glen is wonderful piece of world-a
world In itself, with fiery throbbing
heart, and a fair, confding face. All
through the summer months people journey
here to gain pleasure, strength and wis
dom. Let us climb Mount Tallac in Au-
gust, and there review the book whose
gilded pages offer us so generously poetry
and art in lovely lakes, sylvan hooks and
babbling brooks; moral lessons in the tall
trees that try to climb the mountains
sides, and in the cedars and shrubs that do
attain the nights above; and patient sci
ence in every stone, in strange displace-
ments Of lichened rocks, and in glacial
efforts of long ago.
1t is in the hushed silence of early
dawn that we leave the Glen. Every
thing looks sleepy yet in the faint summer
mist, but we are wide awake with the glad
anticipation of our days tramp. Very
slowly and carefully our horses follow the
small Indian guide up the rugged path
For the first few miles we do not care to
speak. No melody of warbled music
greets the day, and the flowers are still
bowed meekly in morning prayer But
now, as the sun tenderly kisses each one
they lift their dainty heads. Some of their
faces are tear stained, and, for the kind
ness thus freely given, they send delicate
perfume, as incense, up to heaven. They
nod at each other and at us, and we &c
more happily on our way-past that bed
of ferns that grow so luxuriantly where
the water glides softly by; up this very
| steep, narrow pass; through small shady
grove, and up and over again and again
until the last hill rises before us.
Dismounting, and often using for steps
| those large, fiat rocks that Holmes calls
"done brown" we finally reach the sum.
nit. Quite out of breath, we sit down
nearly 10000 feet above the sea, and for a
few moments lose ourselves in strange
dazed way. 1t is Allen, the Indian boy
who breaks the silence. He does not care
for the sacred su5limity of the scene, and
asks us bluntly, "H'd like it? Above, the
sky's delicately fair face; below, Heavens
"true purpose" so faithfully fulfilled that
mighty voice seems crying out Gods
power. Far beneath us Lake Tahoe, calm
and grand, its waters, so proudly pure
finely and wonderfully blended from the
yellow, sloping shore to the mysterious
depths of its center. Plying with hasty
movement is the daily steamer Goodwin
which recalls the Lilliputian vessels, so
tiny it appears as it makes its way through
the waves. To the right of Tahoe, Lake
Fallen Leaf lies like a shining mirror
To-day its waves are dreaming, but fisher
men often say that it's treacherous, like
its neighbor. We wonder if the Indian fol-
whom it was named was subject to as
many moods as it displays? Did he know
of its quiet moments, of its angry white
cap passions, of its wild fantastic dances
Did he row in the solemn twilight or when
the moon shone brightly, and listen to the
echoes-sweet vibrating echoes?
Graded among the mountains, yet more
and more to the right, are numerous
smaller lakes. On one, golden water-lilies
offer themselves in profusion as gracious
welcome to all. How sweet to us was
their greeting! Higher up is Grass, or
Eighty-four; here, brilliant Susy beyond,
retired Lake Heather; nearer, Half Moon,
with its wonderful amphitheatre; and there
some aged trees guard lonely sister Gil
more. Should you ask me of them all, |
could tell you very little. You may see
them once and wonder at their charm, but
they have loving nature that someway
gives you precious thoughts, until, before
knowing it, you love them very dearly
They drink thirstily what the icy snow
provides; and, with the exception of
Heather, the one gives to the other until
all are amply supplied. Thus busy streams
are formed-like so many silver chains
connecting precious gems.
These steams and others wind through
wildly picturesque scenery. They are "the
mountains laugh" as Longfellow happily
says. One can scarcely think of these
bold, frowning peaks evincing any gay
ETY.; but, few feet away, dear little
flowers nestle close to the rocks, as
tokens of the friendly goodwill of
elevated Mother Earth. Perhaps this
company of heights is still slightly
chilled in very remembrance of the glacier
that LEFT some of them so barren. As we
thus muse our guide warns us of the swiftly
passing time. So, with small rock as
souvenir, we follow the stones that begin
to roll when we touch them, and very soon
legretfully ride away.
In the evening low of the sweet, rare
day we near the Glen. The sun, with
last fond smile, disappears, leaving poem
written beautifully in the western sky
Only caressing breeze intrudes with us on
the silence everywhere, until ringing cry
tells US we are home. The day is done,
and, sitting in the warmth of cheerful
fire, we plan the days, till
Summer gathers up her robes of glory,
And like dream of beauty glides away"
How lovingly then will the joyous leaves
offer themselves to us as inducements to
stay little while, till
The mountains that unfold
In their wide sweep, the colored landscape
round
Seem groups of giant kings in purple and gold
hQt ora arf In aoI,a tod