The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-12-11


and Canadians make these islands
summer residences, and the life they
lead there is unique and different from
any other summer enjoyment, The
islands themselves are said to be near
ly 1000 in number, and for so miles
down the noble river cover its surface
with infinite variety. Many residences
have been erected, from the comfort
able family house to the wooden board
shanty and canvas tent; and on one
(Grindstone island), the American
Canoe association has its headquarters,
and some 200 canoeists in one camp I'M
der canvas, and in another beautiful
locality on the same island their lady
relatives have a separate canvas viii
lage. It Is family life, however, which
has the most interest. To begin with,
there are no roads, and, consequently,
no vehicles; even the ubiquitous BIZ
cycle is unknown.
Perched on some commanding rock,
or nesting under the forest shade,
picturesque residences peep out at
many turn, each with it's little wharf,
where lie generally the yacht, rowing
gig, and the canoe. These are the only
means of intercommunication with
each other, and with the great world
on shore. Sometimes the large excur-
sion boats come noisily through the
tortuous channels, whistling and caus-
ing the surf to roll up the rocks to the
inconvenience of those afioat, but gen.
orally all is peace and quiet. The sun
shines, the odor OF the pine trees fills
the air, the great river spreads out
like an inland sea in places, and in
others is apparently completely land
locked by islands of all shapes and
sizes. To any one trying to find a
friends house without pilot or prev
ious knowledge of the place, 1t is all
a perfect labyrinth of water passages.
Boating and sailing are everywhere
visible, and every morning a little
steamer, fitted up as a complete mar
ket, comes darting hither and thither,
from house to house, bringing every
description of supplies. That is GER
tainly convenient, and an improvement
on the custom of cities on the main
land. There is no postman, no tele-
graph boy, no trolley car, no railway
whlstle-all is peace and quiet, and en-
tirely apart from the outside busy
world. Through the narrow channels
glide the boats carrying happy parties;
friends meet, callers come round and
land at the little wharves, picnic par
ties have a small paradise to select
from, and then, in the broad open
reaches, the white-sailed yachts have
breeze enough to keep up many
friendly race. The water is clear as
crystal, and bathing is almost perfec-
tion-either in rough or smooth water
there is choice Of both. There is
splendid fishing, and sport of every
kind also. The islands themselves are
mostly granite and some sandstone.
They are clad with pine, birch, oak,
and many forest trees, so that they
have the shade and solitude for refuge
from the summer sun,
The clear northern sky and bright
sunshine give color everywhere-and
the sunsets are something to see and
remember, Then, as the night draws
on, a solemn silence settles on all. The
breeze dies down and a CLASSY calm
falls on the water. The islands assume
strange shapes as they loom out in
dark masses against the evening sky,
with the pines standing as it were cut
out in silhouette on the summit. Where
the reflections begin the eye cannot
detect till the lights begin to twinkle
from the dwellings, and the scene be-
comes fairy land. Each wharf has its
colored light throwing its trembling re-
Election, each window CLEANS, and in
the stiffness happy voices are heard
far and near, or strains Of distant