Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1895-05-04
A SUMNER OUTING.
The Pleasures and Benefits to
be Derived in the Mountains
OfCOlOradO.

| The days are here, when one begins to
make plans for his summer outing, and
studies railway maps and questions
friends to learn of the best spots, and
where the most varied amusements may
be had for the least outlay. To Kansas
people the Rocky Mountains are the
most convenient and afford opportunity
for the enjoyment of tastes of all shades.
Twenty -four hours places the most east
ern dweller of the state right in the heart
of the great divide and he has enjoyed
such scenes enroute, as wealthy tourists
! go across the ocean to find. The Denver
d Rio Grande Road the Great Scenic
Route of the world, takes you at Pueblo
DR. Denver, and whirls you through can
ons where there must have been an en-
chantment and where giant arms have
| dashed the boulders into their present
resting places. The ride through the
Royal Gorge displays the great ingenu-
| ity of its engineers, and the obstinate
determination of it's builders. The rails
are placed IN almost inaccessible places,
along the edge of the stream or the tor
rent. with wonderful skill has been forced
out of the way to make room for the rock
road bed and the iron rails. At certain
points the torrent maintains its suprem-
acy, but the difficulty is met and sur
mounted, set of hangers being made
into the cliffs overhead, to support the
bridge work and track. The stream is
still jubilant of It's power over man, and
laughs and booms and dashes by as the
train passes, not caring for the queer
shadows that fall into it, if it can only be
supreme at this critical point. The canon
is one OF the grandest in the world, barely
wide enough, in certain parts, to admit
of the stream and the tracks, the granite
walls of giant mountains towering above
and over all, and giving still more i'm
pressive object lesson of the great force
of Nature which has caused it all. The
climb is long one, and after leaving
Salda you think it is over and that as
you enter upon slight down grade, or
smiling valley, that you are now going
to slide down into the great San Luis
Valley. Never were you more mistaken ;
and if you look you will see two putting
little giants pulling the train for several
hours yet. At length however when
you have begun to wish for breakfast,
the summit is reached, and there is a
rapid stride down the western slope, and
into the beautiful valley. For more than
fftv miles the track is as straight as an
arrow, and the train speeds along bring
ing you into Alamosa for breakfast,
right under the shadow of Blanco. the
| highest mountain IN this country. All
around are smiling fields as far as the
eve can reach, until vision is interrupted
by the mountains which enclrcle the val
| lev. Some one has said that the
West Mountain and the Sangre de Cristo
range on the east are ring and that
Blanco is the setting. These mountains
afford every variety of amusement and
entertainment. There is fine trout fish
ing; in season there are plenty of ducks
and Sand Hill Cranes, Brants, Geese and
Curlew. These are in the valley. If
big game is desired you must go back
into the mountains, where Elk, Bear,
Mountain Sheep and Lions, Grouse, etc.
are still to be found. Outfit at one of
the pleasant little hamlets and spend a
month in these mountains and in this
valley, if you want and outing. If you
wish to meet the gay social parties, that
make the mountains their home in sum-
mer, go to Colorado Springs, Manitou,
or some other of the delightful resorts
on the line of the Denver & Rio Grande
road.
We know of no greater advantage to
health. than may be gained by sojourn
away from the cares of business and
daily duties of the routine of living.
Here there is no routine but continued
change, of pleasure resulting more prof.
tably to tired body or over-taxed mind
than any other opportunity within reach.
The Denver & Rio Grande Company
looks after the comfort of it's patrons
with scrupulous care, and provides the
best facilities for observation and enjoy
ment of the ride. If you have never yet
visited these precincts, decide now to do
SO this year, and get the rest and health
you have been looking for.
F. p. BAKER