Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-03-17
A WONDERFUL SPOT,
THE YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL.
PARK A GREAT INSTRUCT Dr.
Its Fame Has Spread to Europe and
Hundreds OF Europeans Visit 1t An
nually-Americans Are Slow to APP
preciate Its Features.

| d. "||i'c, entertaining, eulIylnS anu en-
chanting region yet discovered on the
surface of the globe. This is the unani-
nous testimony of experienced travel
ers from all countries; and it is far from
complimentary to the intelligence and
| patriotism of Americans that thousands
of foreigners actually know more about
the wonders and beauties of the Yell
| lowstone region than the average citi-
zen of this country has ever imagined.
The chief facts regarding the phenom-
ena on exhibition in our national park
are taught in many European schools.
If at least few of the thousands of
| American tourists-particular our
teachers-who annually pour them
selves into the lap of Europe and rave
over it's stock exhibitions, would first
acquaint themselves with some Of the
more wonderful attractions which
! abound in our country, and thus be pre-
pared to edify their pupils and enter
tain their friends by instructing them
| regarding the wonders of our own CONT
nent. All neutrality-suspicious. those
of the various branches of natural
science-ought to visit and carefully
study such places as the petrified for
| ests Of Arizona, the Grand canon Of the
Colorado, the Yosemite Valley. the
| Alaskan archipelago-rich in forests,
mountains and glaciers-and. above all,
the Yellowstone National Park.
DR.. l.. B. Sperry, Of Bellevue, Ohio,
the popular lyceum lecturer, who has
travelled extensively both in Europe
and in America, and has familiarized
himself with the sights of both coun-
tries, pronounces the Yellowstone Park
the most interesting and instructive re-
gion yet opened up to tourists. In
recent communication to Minneapo-
lis paper. he says: Taken as a whole,
and considering all things, trip to the
Yellowstone National Park is the most
edifying and satisfying trip on the
globe: 1t yields the largest dividends
in food for subsequent reflection and
mental growth and real enjoyment.
To get the most satisfaction out Of a
trip through the park, one should OBJ
|
Il. He should not plan to make the
trip before the middle Of June. 1t is
best to wait till the weather and the
roads are settled, and the latter prop
erly repaired. The government en-
ployes enter upon the work of repair as
early in the season as practicable, and
are almost certain to have the entire
line of highway in good condition be-
fore the end Of June. Any time be-
tween July and October is sure to be
good time to visit the park. If, as
sometimes occurs, the SHOWS in the
mountains disappear early in the sea-
son, June is most delightful time to
make the trip.
"2. If possible, the visitor to the park
should have good company; he will
daily feel the need Of appreciative COM
| panious, with whom to discuss and en-
JOY the many surprising things he so
constantly sees.
"3. Let him decide, If possible to take
at least seven or eight days in the park.
| Ten or twelve days are better; and
| month IL better still. But even a trip
| requiring but five days from the rail-
| road Is great deal better than none at
all. One should always remember that
he gets out of any excursion, or vaca-
tion journey, just about what he puts
! into it OF time, money, brains, cheer
fulness and good sense.
| "a. Tourists should always remember
that kicking. selfish traveller is con-
tinuously unhappy, and ends his Jour-
ney dissatisfied, If not, indeed, dis
| gusted; while cheerful, unselfish,
thoughtful tourist always has goodand
profitable time, and stores up pleasant
memories for use during the remainder
Of his life.
IS When one considers all the cir
the expense of a trip through
the park seems very reasonable. The
| entire outfit Of men, animals and mate
rial-both for transportation and for
supplying and running the hotels
must be shipped in from great dis
lance each year. and shipped out again
at the close of each season, which, at
best, covers but four months of time.
Four large, nicely furnished, steam
heated. archaeological hotels and three
lunch stations are run in f1rst-elass
shape all the season. The uniform
charge, which includes a nice room and
all service. is 81 per day for the first
week. Tourists who remain longer
than Inat are charged but So per day.
1.-THE transportation company keepsin
readiness over sixty first-class Concord
coaches and hundreds of fine horses,
together with competent drivers and
| all necessary accessories for elegant
coaching. Stop-over privileges, with
out extra charge, are granted at all
points tor any length Of time. / am
more and more impressed, each season
that | visit the park, by the elaborate
| and perfect hotel and coach service that
Is provided for the few thousands who
annually avail themselves of it. Such
service ought to be rewarded by a more
| generous patronage than it has yet re-
ceivc, The number OF visitors this
wonderland should increase yearly, till
hundreds OF happy tourists shall arrive
and depart daily during the entire sea-
son-each American proud Of the fact