The Hawaiian gazette., 1889-10-15
PUNCHBOWL HILL.
An Early Morning Ride and Picnic on
the Summit-By a Lady.

An Early Morning Ride and Picnic on
the summit-By Lady.
"Well, it was revelation" said the
| Judge: "the smoothness of the road and
its very gradual rise, and especially the
changing views of mountain and sea and
plain as you drive along. And so easy
Of access too; and not more than half
an hour from the bottom to the top, if
you walk your horses, and you can trot
them all the way if you like, the slope
| is so easy"
We had heard similar expressions be-
fore, and being busy people, had not
yet been able to make the trip. On the
spur of the moment one of us proposed
to go up there in the cool of the morn
ing and have breakfast. And so it came
about that three families of neighbors
held an early picnic on that lovely spot
the summit of Punchbowl. 1t was
not much labor. A little preparation
the day before, and perhaps little ear
lier rising on the part OF some of the
family. No hour in the whole day is
so charming out OF doors in this sunny
cline, as from six to seven in the morn
ing, and for such an excursion the earlier
one can start the better. The ascent
begins nearly opposite the Mormon
Church on Punchbowl street. As you
pass along you will not mind how slowly
your horses go, for you must feast upon
the changing scene. At your left lies
this fair city, buried in verdure, lighted
with the early morning glow, and be-
yond, the sea and Pearl Harbor and the
hazy Waianae mountains.
"Those watch towers of the west"
outlining the whole. In front is Pauoa
Valley, lying still half asleep in the lap
of the mountains, but just awakening at
the kiss of the morning sun. In all this
fair land one could hardly find a fairer
bit than this cool verdant valley. A
little further, and the view on the other
side of the plain and Waikiki and the
the old sentinel Diamond Head bursts
upon you. The road on this side is
tritle sleeper in ascent, and is partly
along the edge of an abrupt precipice.
But well-built stone wall here, as in
other places, prevents all fear. Before
reaching the top the road turns, and you
drive for some distance through the
park-like old crater, and finally reach
the summit near the old fagpole, over
looking the city and the bay.
If amid all this lovliness you have
room for anything SO mundane as eat
ing, you will by this time have good
appetite, and breakfast can be easily
prepared. A fire among the rocks will
quickly heat the coffee prepared the day
before, and cook the ham and eggs too,
if you care to take the trouble, and the
abundant grass is both table and seats.
How cool the air is And what dining
room Who wouldn't rise half an hour
earlier for such view? In front
stretches the whole of the bay from Bar
ber's Point to Diamond Head, the city
and plain, sight fair enough for any
land. Behind, the crater at your feet,
and numerous valleys beyond, with long
shadows stretching across them from the
slowly rising sun.
The descent was easily and rapidly
made, and as we rolled along, we passed
hearty vote of thanks to our worthy
Minister of the Interior, whose enter
prise has added this attractive drive to
the limited number we have or can have
about our city-a drive so accessible and
so easily taken that though we did not
hasten and enjoyed every moment, the
men were down in time for business and !
the children for school, and we all felt as
if we had had holiday. ***