River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-08-10

Grand View, twelve miles up, to take
our last look at the valley beneath
before turning to the east side of the
range. 1t was truly "A grand uiew. As
the road turns and twists in and out
around sharp rocky points and vine-
covered hills, one is reminded of the
advertisement that "all kinds of twist
ing aud turning are done here" We
go through Halls valley, still winding,
and begin the ascent of the other
range, rising all the while, and catch
ins glimpses ever aud anon of the
white-capped dome of the observatory
above us. Another descent inIo
Smiths Greek" valley and then we
begin the seven-mile climb, stopping
among the big trees by the roadside
for dinner where we can see the lovely
river behind US and the road far above
u.s. In the summer Stiffness we catch
the sound of wheels on the mountain
road, the songs of birds, and the tinkle
of COW bells In the valley beneath.
wish could picture to you those last
seven miles. Talk of Marshall Pass
through the Rockies; 1t cant be a
much greater wonder than this. 1t
leads around curves, winds back on
itself, forms loops, until one is be-
wildered at sight of narrow crooked
thread upon the mountain side, and
while wondering where it leads to, is
told that it is our road, and soon we
are looking down from that same point
onto the way by which we came. We
ride, sometimes on the edge of cliffs
down whose sides we look many hun
bred feet, again on level plain where
one may catch his breath, and then
by places where heart and eye grow
dizzy at the possible danger of going
down and never coming up alivei But
up we climb; we near the top, and in
hopeful tones venture the remark that
"we are nearly there" and are told
that we are yet 1.-TWO miles or more
away" We can scarcely believe it
for the dome hangs right over our
heads, but the twisting. turning and
climbing continues until at last we
reach the top. We stand in amaze
ment at the sight. Far away indeed,
but seemingly close by lies our own
home in the valley, and the waters of
the bay lie glistening in the sun right
at our feet, while thirty miles away
Gilroy looms up so plainly. An east
ward glance shows us the snow-capped
Sierra Nevada mountains across the
San Joaquin valley one hundred and
fifty miles away. ! shall never again
wonder at the enthusiasm of the tour.
list. We go inside and pass the re-
naming hours of day in looking at
the instruments, the drawings. photo
graphs and wonders of the observa-
tory, especially the big telescope. Not
being of mechanical turn of mind
wander away to look at the pictures
and lind large one of Agassiz pre-
sented by him lin grateful remem-
brance of much enjoyed night spent
on the mountain" A fine painting of
James Lick adorned the walls of the
visitors room. In one corner stands
the work bench that he brought from
South America in lS47, told by silver
plate set in the wood.
AS we register we find many names
of Wisconsin visitors. We go out to
see the sun go down into the bay, and
stand on the edge of the mOuntaln.top
and look down into the valley below
with something of the feeling ex-
pressed by Pres. Jordan of Stanford S
University when at the close of his
lecture on the Matterhorn, he gave as
one of his reasons for climbing the
dangerous ascent that 1.-The restfulness
of for even short time getting above
the world and its cares repaid for his
weary climb"
The pillows of white clouds rolling
and tumbling above the water was a
magnificent sight, and mingled with
the shadows of evening produced col
ors an artist might covet. We enter
the dome and take our place in the
long line of visitors eager for look
at the wonders of the starry heavens.
Humanity is still at the front even
though we be so far above the world
as is to be seen by the efforts of
many who are forgetful that "first
come first served" is the rule of the
place, and crowd themselves forward
dispIacing many who wish to be on
their return down the mountain. But
"patient walters are no losers" is true
| here as elsewhere, for the view of
| Saturn as seen through the big glass
is most glorious. We are told to look
as long as we wish to, but others are
waiting and we move reluctantly away
from the telescope, feeling that we
have not only had glimpse of that
heavenly body, but of the immensely
of space around and beyond ii. We
are awed beyond expression and go to
| the smaller glass to view the moon,
| feeling our own insignificance in a
manner never felt before. This plan.
ct more than filled the glass and Prof.
Holden moved the instrument so it
crossed and recrossed our vison, then
asked ''if we could see 1t ALL" Our
reply was, ''all except the man whom
we had always supposed was an in
habitant," and with a laugh we are
told that 1.-THE telescope is not large
enough for him."
The wind meanwhile has risen to
the pace of forty miles an hour and
whistles and bowls around the build
| ing in manner that would do credit
to a Wisconsin blizzard. but only the
sound is cold, as we find on going
| outside. We wait for the heavily
loaded carryalls and stages TO go be
| fore us, and while waiting formed the
acquaintance of Madison University
student who had been here year. His
name has slipped my mem ory. but Il
| was like a breath of home 70 near hin
talk of Mr.. and Mrs. w. ID. Parker anC
many of River Falls young people
whom he knew.
| We are at last on our way home anC
the moonlight ride down the Mt. Ham
ilton road will never be forgotten
because of its perfectness in all ways
even the chill of the three O'CLOCK
arrival at home.
The meanderings of this letter re
minds me of the brook song, for begin
ming it in June | find | must bid yoI
adieu late in July, and can't do tina
without telling of the much enjoyed
visit of Vice-President Stevenson tC
our city where, at the Hotel Vendome
he gave cordial handshakes to the
many who were there to greet him
And now we are anxiously awaiting
the coming of those whose visit mean
| so much more to US individually;
refer to Mrs. o. 5. Powell and Mrs
Sarah ToZer.
With greetings to all,
Mrs. J. Z. RHoADs.