Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1895-06-15
ON TOP OF TAMALPAis.
Some Pleasures of the Ascent OF the Mi
iestlc Aiuunluln.

Some Pleasures of the Ascent Of ths Ma
lcstic Mountain.
None but those who have assembled
the wooded sides of majestic Tamalpais
can appreciate the mngniiicence Of this
grand old mountain. II towers up from
the habitats OF civilization, II has no
fearful crevasses or perilous glaciers,
but II Is good, sturdy mountain all
the same, and 1t rewards those who
gain its crest with view of grand and
thrilling extent. Mount Diablo and
Mount Shasta are greater exploits. but
the climber should first graduate ut
Tamalpais.
The equipment Of those ardy pedes-
trians consists OF n staff In imitation
Of the alpenstocls. but the crook Is not
necessary, rs the road requires no risky
hanging ON. Then canteen Of water,
and large proportion Of the more lux
urious bring with them the materials
for an early breakfast. The latter pro-
vidcrs are those who on Saturday night
take the last boat to Sausalito and be-
gin the ascent of the mountain by
moonlight.
This most picturesque and enjoy
able walk. The object being to reach
the summit of the mountain by sun
rise, or little before, the excursion.
lists can jog along easily and watch
the moonlight effects ON the broad ex.
panse Of land and sea that discloses
itself rs they rise above the valley.
Then comes that gray, peculiar tone
when the dark Is lapsing into dawn
and the moons rays become of u
paid, neutral tint, and the masses of
stuntcd shrubs are magniiicd into for
ests. A short pause, and the forcglow
of the sun has absorbed the delicate
moonlight, the grlys are succeeded
by clear and distinct atmosphere and
another day has dawned upon the
world.
Onward and upward the climbers go,
and now the solemn stiffness is broken
by the pipe Of half-awakcned birds,
and the perfume OF the wild flowers
and grasses Is intensified by the light
vapor that rests on the spurs OF the
mountain. There can be no fatigue In
such journey, nor is there usually
much conversation, so full of interest
and novelty are the surroundings.
This is the time for the quails' break
fast. and these plump denizcns of the
brush, pat,er fcnrlc>sly along The road
in front of the walkers, with the seem
ing instinct that these good people
are, like themselves. ont Ia enjoy the
morning, and that they mean to do no
harm.
Arrived ut the crest of the mountain
all eyes are turned tn the east. When
the grand blazing author Of vegetable
life joins the crimson cloud out
riders which have announced his
coming. and the Alameda slope and
the valleys OF Contra Costa county
are bathcd in his light, the views
to the north and westward claim at
tention. The Farallones seem but u
short distance from the base OF the
mountains, and ships far out at sea
look close to the Golden Gate. Bolinas
seems but stones throw, and the
breakers on Duxbury reef. and farther
on the long split of land where the
Point Reyes lighthouse stands, are all
the vaporous light, but few hours
journey. The line of the southern
coast, away down to Point San Pedro,
unfolds itself. The pigmy hills of San
Francisco peninsula cease to veil the
Santa Clara valley. a sweeping view
of five counties composes the incom-
parable panorama seen from the sum
init of Mount 1'amapas.
liut sightseeing combined with
mountain climbing is appetizing work,
and the chill airs nom the ocean, and
the pungcnt perfume of laurel and
wild poppy lend relish to cup of
s,eaming hot coffee ON this lofty
altitude. a plump, juicy chop or
steak. broiled on the cmbcrs, is rs far
above the ordinary as the mountain
above the plain. And then the in
dcscribabe luxury of rest-that rest
when c~rry link in the human anat-
omy is unfoided. and every muscle
relaxed. when the ecstasy of limpness
Is attained, aud the light morning
clouds above the rcposeful head are
like ships upon the sea, and the UNI
broken roof OF leaves Is shield
against the virile fierccness of the
young sun.
There is no fatigue, no WEAKNESS,
no unwontcd departure from the
beaten ways for which this mountain
climb does not make fourfold pay.
ment. Once indulgci in IL becomes n
positive necessity. II has n charm
which no other form of exercise pos
sesses Perhaps it may he that us the
mountaineer comes 50 much nearer to
Heaven some of its I,eace and content
ment are vouchsafed to leaven the
turbulence of the life below. San
francisco Call.
English Economical Soup.