The San Francisco call., 1897-01-19
WINTER SPORTS.

A writer in Meban'S Monthly comment
ing upon the reports of abundant violets
displayed in California on Christmas day,
and the fact that they were gathered in
the open air. expressed some regret that
Eastern States do not have the enjoyment
of this fragrant flower in midwinter, but
found consolation for himself and for his
readers in the thought that while Califor-
mans have midwinter violets and roses
they have not the delights of toboggan-
ming, skating and sleIghriding.
1t is evident the writer had not read re-
ports from all parts of California. He
was unaware of the fact that at this very
time the Californian who desires to do so
can leave the region of blooming violets
and with comparatively short ride can
transport himself to the region where
snowy fields and icy lakes afford him
every sport known to the midwinter
gayeties of the East. There is at this time
at Truckee a festival of such gayeties 60
ing on. In that mountain city can be
found every pleasure which ice and snow
afford, when conducted under the most
favorable circumstances.
The recent visit to Truckee of the mem
bers of the Mystic Shrine from this City
calls renewed attention on our part to the
delightful sports which are now under
way at that place. We are told in the re-
ports that the visitors to Truckee njoyed
themselves with sleig birding from Truckee
to Donner Lake and there had the pleas
ure of fine skating. In Truckee itself the
toboggan slide was running to its full ca
pacity and the skating-rink and ice-palace
were crowded. Good hotels afford ample
accommodation for visitors, and the hos
pitality of the people of the city make
every stranger realize that he is a well
come guest.
There should be more visitors from San
Francisco TO Truckee. The changes of
climate, scene and amusement would be
advantageous in more ways than one.
There is a certain health-giviag tonic in
the icy air of the snow-covered mountains
which to many people would be more
beneficial than the breezes of the ocean or
the perfume of orange groves and violet
beds. The ice festival furnishes some
thing more than a mere variation from
our citrus fairs and rose festivals. 1t offers
health, strength and abounding vitality to
all who take part in it.
We have not made as much use as we
should of our mountain region. We have
dug gold from it; we have cut down trees
on its high slopes; we have made of sew
eral places in it summer resorts, and
TrHckee of late has led US to behold the
pleasures it offers for midwinter festivals.
Nevertheless these are but The beg innings
of the things that should be. Our higher
mountain slopes and the lofty valleys are
destined to become the dwelling places of
some'of the sturdiest manhood and most
beautiful womanhood that are to make up
the glory of the California that is to be.
In the dawn of this new era of pros
perity we should begin to profit by all the
advantages and opportunities which tn ese
mountain lands afford. We should seek
to bring immigrants not for our valley
lands only to make the desert blossom as
the rose, but to subdue the forests OF the
higher hills and transform the mountain
wilderness into civilization.