Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-03-05
CHAPTER xvIII.-PIKE,s PEAK

Preparations were made and the follow
ing morning, we gathered with party of
ten or fifteen persons, ready to ascend the
world renowned summit Of Pixies Peak. In
the party was an editor from Vermont
who was making tour Of the West and
wanted to accompany US up the mountain.
He carried huge note book as reposito-
ry from which he hoped to draw his win
Ter editorials Being q tall slim man and
wearing a hat with a very broad brim,
stella said, his sharp face looked like
PICK ak under an awning" We were
much amused as he came from the hotel
with an umbrella under one arm and his
huge note book under the other. wearing a
loose tweed overcoat that scarcely touched
him below the shoulders. Then there was
young couple who were very uncon-
sclously telling us that they were taking
In the beauties of the West as an &C
compartment to their honeymoon. We
gathered on the steps of the great hotel
and as each one mounted a small pony,
we started on the Cheyenne road for the
trail to the upper world.
we set out on a rapid swinging gallon,
but from some unaccountable reason my
animal suddenly stopped still. eating
grass, and lay on the ground a few feet
away observing my situation. From the
roar of laughter that greeted me must
have performed most wonderful gym
nastIc feat. | had hardly recovered nv
perpendicular when Mr.. Editor with his
umbrella and note book made the same
tying leap and came down to the earth
with more haste than elegance.
ave remounted and kept our seats after
that
The trail up the mountains was frequent
~ rough and steep. Sometimes we had to
stop and let our horses breathe before
mounting the steepeSt places. But we
were in no hurry. The scenery was en-
chanting. Constant surprises burst upon
us as we reached one height after another.
Yet the longed for peak was always just
little beyond like the famous pot of gold at
the end of the rainbow.
We reached the seven lakes and had our
lunch, The lakes are picturesque, as
such sheets of water are apt to be among
the mountains. While we were resting a
party of twelve or more passed US coming
down. Some of them wore the most hag-
gard expressions. One lady of the party
said to Lady Irving 80 madam take my
advice and so down. 1t is a deadly place
up there. If l ever reach the hotel will
never tempt Providence again by starting
out on another excursion"
Judging from the expression of her
countenauce it must have been trying
ordeal for her.
We were not going back. We were
bound for the summit and if sea sickness
or rather sky sickness came with the view
we were prepared for that also We had
not gone far before we felt the need of our
fur wraps and warm gloves. When we
reached the little stone house where the
officer of the signal service lived our teeth
chartered as with an ague fit. For time
we sat by warm fire. 1t was a luxury
Then we went out to enjoy the sunset
scene from the summit of the peak The
sun looked like a ball of fire as it sank be-
hind the mountains beyond and brighten
ed the ragged tops with its golden beams.
The plains away to the east We're mystified
by the peculiar light until we imagined we
could see the steeples of Chicago or Bos-
ton, but we were in doubt which. The
mists and shadows were brought out in
vivid contrast by the brilliant sunset hues.
To the west lay the dark lines of noun
tains like distant sea with madly rolling
pillows.
We could not stay long after the sun had
dropped out of sight. We returned to the
little house where we enjoyed our lunch
brought from the world below. The officer
kindly prepared for us cup of hot coffee
which was highly acceptable. The one
sleeping room was given to the ladies'
while with buffalo robes and winter coats
we passed the night dreaming of ''Green-
lands icy mountains" and sundry expe-
ditions to the north pole.
When morning came the Yankee editor
with chattering teeth called us to 'see the
sunrise
From the experience of the previous eve
ming, we wrapped up as though going for
q slelgh-ride with the Thermometer twenty