The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-02-20

the place is called, we were free to encamp
on either of the reserves for the purpose.
We selected our ground under the Royal
Arches, part of the rocky walls that,
when seen from great height, have the APP
pearance of arches, and were soon resting
quietly, with the roar of Yosemite Falls in
the distance. Suddenly we were startled
by a succession of shouts and musical re-
plies from all points, echoing and re-echoing
among the rocks Looking for the cause,
we saw on Glacier Point in 'front.' and 5000
feet above us, light, shimmering like a
bright star. Soon it moved, and over the
edge came column of fire which, long be-
fore il reached the valley floor, broke into a
shower of sparks beautiful to see. There is
a hotel at Glacier Point which we afterward
visited, spending the night there in order to
see the sun rise. Unfortunately the sky was
not cloudless, but the view was grand.
Standing on the edge of the rock, keeping
firm hold of the iron railing placed there to
prevent accidents from dizzy brains, we
could look down and see the large hotel in
the valley, like a mere dot, and the river
only a silver thread winding through. In
front of us were the Domes, cone-shaped
rocks, one of which seems to have been split
vertically. To our right the Vernal Falls
rushed over the rocky heights in one large
sheet OF water, changing to gradual fall,
then rushing again over precipice ere 1t
reaches the MERGED river. On our left,
scarcely more than white line against the
dark rock, fall the waters of the Yosemite,
Upper and Lower, the entire distance being
about 5000 feet. From our camp we made
several excursions, going one day to Vernal
and Nevada Falls on horseback, on the mar
row mountain trail where single misstep OF
the horse would hurl us on to the jagged
rocks hundreds of feet below. 1t is a thrill
ing experience for one unaccustomed to
notwithstanding, and we were amply re-
paid for overcoming our timidity by the
grandeur of the scene which greeted us
after our tolsome ride.
Another day we went to the Upper
Yosemite and took our lunch under the
Falls. Sunday morning we were early on
our way to Mirror Lake to see the sunrise
arriving there just in time to see the golden
ball slowly appear over the high gray rocks
while every line of the scene was mirrored
in the CLASSY surface of the lake. The morn
ing was spent quietly on the shore, watch
ing the shifting scenes till towards noon
when the reflections became less distinct
owing to the greater light, and we hurried
campward. A short religious service and
a quiet drive through the valley to Bridal
Veil finished the day.
That week we were to break camp, for we
were obliged to return home the last of the
month, and we wished to take one day foI
a visit to the Mariposa Grove of big trees
| can only repeat what has so often been
written about their size, and when l say
| bucN were from SeNtuUy-HNb 10 one
feet in circumference and twenty-five OF
thirty feet in diameter yeu may be able tC
form some idea of their size; but | could not
till we approached them and walked round
them. We rode through the trunk o. the
one which stands across the road, and with
two horses were not in the least crowded
There was a genuine Lighthouse built in the
heart of the grove, which is occupied by d
man who guards the trees, taking care they
are not defaced by those who would carry
away large pieces of wood or bark as me
mentoes. Tables of rough boards stand
under the trees near the cabin, on which we
lunched, afterwards climbing the ladder
which rests against the side of the FalleI
Giant" From the ground upward across
| the base it is thirty-tive feet. Most of the
largest trees bear the names of Washing
ton, Lincoln, Grant, Longfellow, Whittier
etc; The Faithful Lovers are, two straight
tall trees, growing side by side. The mex
day we reached Bear Camp. Two bear
skins hung outside the tent, occupied by
some men who were roughing it and caring
for their cattle. When asked about tn,
bears, they replied that "they did not dc
much hunting, having killed only five bear,
| during the last ten days, and had occa
sionally seen California lion" l noticed
that the rifles of our company were loaded
that night, but suppose a lion or a bea
might have carried away the whole party
for all of anything we should have known
Sucn steep we enjoyed, not only on ina
but all other nights during the trip
just before dark we passed an old log
house where lived more cowboys. Nea
by was green pasture, into which the,
kindly invited us to turn our horses. TIVE
of them visited our camp, and with thei
slouched hats, long hair, and belts will
pistols and knives, were quite the idea
cowboys. They were very polite, and al
we sat on huge log in the moonlight ant
sang college songs and old hymns we wer,
loudly applauded. Up in those wild anf
lonely mountains were houses far apart
built by some one courageous enough t,
brave the dangers and hardships of such
life. Fruit hourishes here, and it is pre-
dicted that at some future day these hill
will be covered with fruitful orchards an,
beautiful vineyards. / must not forget Il
mention the visit to Thomas Hills studio
open to the public, with fine pictures from
Yosemite, all painted by Mr.. Hill. The re
mainder of the journey was uneventful, an,
after another long ride over the hot sand il
the glazing sun we We're glad to reach tn
cars, sunburned, dusty and tired and
much as we had enjoyed camp life, on
couches never seemed so good as on tina
first Light when we rested our tired bodie
on real beds NJ.