The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-08-04
ACROSS THE CONTINENT.
FRNlI OCEAN TO OCEAN.
Scraps from Our Notebook Made
on Six Weeks Jaunt Across
the Continent, on the Pa
cific Coast, and in the
Great Northwest.
PART FIFTH.

Ae readers Of the GOLD LEAF want
to know something about the climate
and rcsorccs of California, as well as
the -.sight. that fell under my notice
while travelling in that State, can not
do better than publish the following
article from handbook issued by the
southern California Railroad, desert
hin. more particularly the pleasure
and health resorts, the climate, Nc, OF
thc Southern part of the State:
sONE FEATURES OF SOUTHERN CALI
FOKNIA
The mountains-Thc most beautiful
and nspirin object i'll nature becomes
oppressive when constantly repeated
and unreIeycd by variety and contrast.
Many otherwise beautiful landscapes
are tame by reason Of the succession of
similar objects. Beautiful as are the
valleys. streams and sca-coaSt OF
Southern California we doubt II they
would have the same attraction II 1t
were not for their association with the
sublime mountain scenery OF this
region The mountains of Southern
California form grand background to
what is probably the most pleasing and
delightful landscape to the eye of man
that exists III the void. Pages have
been written of the beauties Of noun
tain scenery i'll all parts of the world,
but after all the pen cannot fully des
cribc and it is the purpose here to
suggest by a brief outline to the imagl
nation Of the reader rather than
describe the charm of the mountain
scenery of Southern California.
The main range-thc san Bernar-
dino Mountains. extends through Los
Angeles and san Bernardno Coun-
ties and the northern portion OF San
Diego county. Their altitude averages
5000 feet, though there are many peaks
double that height. They form a
barrier to the cold winds Of the north
and act as natural storage reservoirs
for the vineyards and orchards st their
base.
Some are almost barren while others
are well timhercd even on their sum-
mjtS. y variety OF interest attaches
Ia thcis range. Their rugged sides of
constantly varying phase draped with
vegetation, presenting peak after peak
i'll glorious perspective is a sight for
tho artist. The multitude Of teathered
game inhahitin. their brush forests
the speckled dcnixens Of their streams,
and deer. bear and other hig game i'll
ths deep canyons delight the heart of
the sportsmcn. The mineral deposits
i'll their hosoms comprising Il list so
LONG AZ Ia he wcaris0me were it printed
hsrc. interests the wealth seeker,
mincralogist and the manufacturer.
while the huSbandman AT their feet.
the economist and the invalid ind
pleasure contemplatin. them from Il
utiIitarjan standpoint As protectors
from the biting cold and rs the source
OF life giving streams OF pure cold
water.
We are accustomed To thinking OF
mountains Is unchanging, but to the
eve the mountains of Southern Cali
fornia are almost as changing Il the
sea. In the early morning is Won look
mayhap they are drapcd Ill snowy,
tilmv wells Of cloud Sottenin" all their
features and seeming to to.derly kiss
their dark raviucS. y little later and
their >tupendous heights are gilded by
the first beams Of the glorious orb OF
day, bathing them in floods Of flame
and melting he mists OF night. Each
crag and rock and tree seems distinctly
visible nothing YOU e1claim can COM
pare,
At evening as the beams Of the set
TING sun rest for moment on their
mighty brows. surrounding each with a
halo OF rose hued Ii9ht-you again
eXclaim nothing can compare,
In the winter months when many
peaks have received their crown of
purity and stand glistcning in the sun
light like mighty monarchs you ask
what could be more beautiful.
The question is Involuntary re-
pcated when You gaze on these same
peaks in the summer time. Then their
crowns have disappeared and 4 soft
blue haze throws their mass far III the
distance and adds an element OF mys-
terry and romance. Exchanging as the
mountains are. the change III atm0s-
phere and Surroundings add an indies
crlbable charm to the grandeur OF the
mountains of Southern California IT