News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1889-09-19
A Visit to Mount Mansfield.

Moore; directors, Stearns, Hazen 80 and
Allen 80.
A Visit to Mount Mansfield.
After many days of waiting and
wistful scanning of the oft cloud
capped mountain top not far away,
we, at last, have gathered from far
and hear, and being favored with
beautiful day, climbed the highest of
Vermont's Green Mountains, old Mt.
Mansfield. We are assembled in
Stowe, from different towns in Yer
mont, New Hampshire and Massachu-
sets and being long-separated rela-
tives, the occasion is doubly joyous to
US. We all retire early the preceding
night, that we may be able to start
early in the morning. When morn
ing comes, all is confusion.
We already have secured one three
seated mountain wagon and find that
we need another. One man goes
to find the necessary conveyance,
while another makes trip to the vii
lage in quest of crackers and cheese.
Every one is in hurry, but with all
the flying around with fastest of
horses, it is nearly II o'clock before
the last shawl and dinner basket is
tucked under the seats and we are
waving goodbye to those who remain
at the farm house to have supper
ready when we return tired and hun
CRY. We roll swiftly along past farm
houses whose inmates rush to the
windows to see the noisy excursionists
pass, and pastures where handsome
colts break into run and race with
US. Suddenly we spy tree loaded
with beautiful rosy apples and with
the laughing consent of the owner. fill
our pockets. On we 60 for four
miles when the foot of the mountains
is reached where work for the horses
begins in good earnest. Up. up,
slowly winding around the mountain,
each ascent sleeper and rougher than
the one preceding, until We begin to
pity the horses and several of US jump
out and with the aid of stout staff,
walk some distance, when we are
ready to exchange places with the re-
mainder of the party. This is con-
tinued until shout from those
ahead informs US that the half way
house is near and we have climbed
two and one-half miles. That we
have all gained an appetite is soon
proven when we gather beside cool
spring in the shade of the naples.
The house, old and partly tumbled
down, has long since passed its useful
days, except that it serves as way
mark. Some time passes before we
start on again much refreshed and
rested. Higher and higher we climb.
Dizzy and more dizzy grows the sight.
first on the right, then on the left,
when suddenly coming around bend |
in the road, we see just ahead, the
Summit house, and towering two hun
dred feet above it, black mass of |
rocks called the Nose of the noun
tain.
Arriving at the hotel, we rest awhile
and then climb the Nose. 1t is hard
work and some of the party need con-
siderable urging before they accom-
plish the ascent. Once at the top, /
we have a fine view of the surround
ing country. Mountains are seen on
all sides, and away to the west, a
long line of blue, SKETCHES Lake
Champlain. The largest of barns
and houses look like tiny specks in
the valley below. We find many sill
very and golden rocks to carry away
as mementoes of the occasion. The
wind is blowing at brisk rate, maxi
ing long stay on this elevated
point somewhat disagreeabe. Two
miles away is the Chin which,
upon finding to be about 800 feet
higher than the Nose, we are anxious
to climb; but it is getting late and as
the descent of the mountain is slow
and dangerous, it is thought best not
10 visit the Chin, but instead a cave
near the foot of the Nose. This is
large enough to contain several people
and affords comfortable seats of natu-
raj formation in the rock.
1t is now time to harness the horses
and leaving the gentlemen to attend
to this, we proceed TO examine the
hotel which shows many signs of pre-
Vious visitors. Every window is COW
cred with names scratched in the
panes, and on looking over the hotel
we find many familiar names.
Having registered our names, we fnd
the horses ready, and with all brakes
ID, start for home. The road seems
rougher than ever and riding is not
comfortable. After going
about two miles, we overtake several
Of the party who were afraid to ride
over the steepest places and have
started on before US. We try to be
patient while explaining that we have
plenty of brakes and finally succeed in
the whole party to ride,
md in less than an hour reach the
DOT. Now we unfasten all hold-backs
md drive fast until just at dusk, we
each home, tired but well paid for our
rouble. NELLIE l.. SANBoRN.
STOWE, VT, Aug. %, 1889.