Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-08-06

night of 18th. is AZ miles from here and we
rode that distance yesterday but 1t was oyer
mountains and meant coasting down one
long hill to Immediately climb another. The
roads were simply splendid, better than any
in Druid Hill Park. We left Poligny at
a. m. and Immediately began to ascend-for
something over miles it was steady upup
before We got off our wheels to rest and enjoy
the view. Then it continued up grade for
mile or more further, the road winding ana
turning like a snake; we would frequently
be riding on portion of the road 80 to 100
feet above turn of the same which we had
lust passed over. 1t was gloriously cool.
Pierce was feeling good and insisted on rid
ing the big hills at the beginning. / felt
this to be bad tactics but nevertheless Joined
him in 1t for while. He is not as strong
rider as but was not convinced OF 1t until
last night When we reached this place last
night he was utterly used up-had hardly
breath enough to grunt--our days run only
30 miles and have an idea he will be satls'
fed to take it easier. Am surprised at the
ease which made yesterdays trip and that
of the day before 100 miles in all, feel good
and strong all the time and at no moment
have any consciousness of drawing on my
nervous energy. The town OIL Russes Is
an interesting one, and the hotel very poor
one So as it was raining and nothing else
to do Pierce went to bed after dinner and
pulled my pipe awhile 1t is now a. M,
and am on the balcony outside our room
writing willie waiting for Pierce to get up
must tell you about our yesterdays ride
When we got to the top CT the hill aboye
Poligny we found long undulating stretches
containing splendid coasts and moderate
hills. 1t was very cool and the clouds hung
| in tumultuous masses oyer the mountains.
BY the time we were half way to St. Lau.
rent where we were to stop for dinner, 1t
became evident there was going to be storm
the question was could we reach St. Lau.
rent before it caught us-thought we could
and pushed on but about 5 miles from St.
Laurent it caught us-put on our rubber
capes and pushed on through the pouring
rain. The thunder roarcd, lightning flashed
the wind blew, and the rain it rained.
Notwithstanding our rubber capes, we
| were thoroughly soaked from inches above
! the knees down and when we reached ST.
| Laurent we were cakcd with mud, literally
| cakcd-thc sun was out and the storm over
had to sit down to dinner as we were as
there were no fires except IN the kitchen.
Had II great time getting our wheels in run
| ming order again. The chains and running
gear were covered with a mass Of mud or
sort of chalky sand; but we took them to the
fountan-all of these mountain villages have
one or more stone fountains with cold, clear
water, carried in pipes from the mountains
from which the villages get water for house
hold purposes, and wash all their clothing at
the foun,ain--cven now, within hundred
feet of us they are doing the wash at one OF
them. They put q board across the basin at
the fountain Just over the water sousing the
clothes in the water and rubbing them ON
the board, then pour water over to rinse
them cleaned our wheels thoroughly and
they ride as well rs ever. 1t was $3.50 when
we started for Les Russes, Is miles away
The sun was hot and our cxcltlons had
warmed us and we started OFT merrily enough
to begin with we had glorious coast OF
at least mile but then it was up, up, up for
a couple of them. Three great rocky gorgcs
were protected by a wall of masonry toward
the river and on the other side the Cliff rose
from 80 to 100 feet above us like wall. 1t
was really very fine. When we reached the
top of the ridge We had Emile coast down
into the little town of Monz. From there on
it was long steep grade for Q xii. or %
miles. The views were very fine and it began
to look like what imagined Switzerland to
be, little houses pcrched way up on the hill
sides, fine looking cattle dotting the hills
and mountains on all sides around US.
The hotel at Les lame was ratty, but
charges light. What do you think of sitting
at dinner nearly 1thours? Pierce was not
feeling well 50 l had to do double duty and
cat enough for both. What do you think
of the charge for dinner, lodging and break
fast 90 cents? We got away ut a. m. for
glorious ride of Is miles up grade.-Have
lust had famous good dinner at Gex.-lt is
now o'clock and in half an hour we start
for Geneva 10 miles away. Our morning
ride was grand one-we were entirely sur
rounded by the mountains and reached an
altitude of over 1000 ft.-Penmar you know
is only $500 or 2700. Yesterday in 40 miles
we went up $500 1T. This morning on the
left of us were mountains, peaks and walls
on the right dropped the valley hundreds OF
feet below. Comfortable looking farms dot
ted the valleys-the houses mostly stories
and attic with peaked roofs and low gables
and generally one side of the house against
hill. Houses were not only in the valleys
but perched way up on the hills on the
other side. We passed herd after herd OF
COWS fine looking animals and the intabu'
lations OF their bells was charming. From
way below they sounded like distant musical
chimes, About 8 xii. from Les Lannes We
swept around a corner and 10! the mountains
opened before us and way off we could see
the Alpine Peaks raising their SUBMITS
among the clouds. We stood our wheels
against the wall and seated ourselves in the
shade to enjoy the view. The air was delic-
iously cool and sweet with the fragrance OF
clover and wild flowers the tinkling of bells
sounded family from below. The white
1 4 ,lo vs1k