The Somerset reporter., 1897-08-26
An Up Country Outing.

Monday morning, Aug. III. II ralned as
usual in the morning ana the party
didn't get together till afternoon, at
point five miles above North Arson, =.
+. was in command and took the front.
K. w. held The centre aud II. :. with a
splendid Two horse team took one more
than half and constituted the rear guard
We went In for a lively time aud didu't
get beaten. Monday afternoon was oc
cupied getting up through New Port
land, crossing Lexington flats and strik-
ing the mountain sceneries beyond. As
the afternoon wore away dark. threaten
ing clouds began to show themselves
above the forests in front and presently
the rumbling of distant thunder fell
upon our ears. But little prospect of
shelter till the Lane place at height of
land could be reached. II. ). thought 1t
best to push ahead and get there but $.
+. advised camping as soon as a favor
able place could be found. We pass u
house in an opening with woman at
the door. We ask what is the chance
here for shelter?' and get the abrupt
reply "there is none" The command is
to move forward and in short time we
pass down across rapid running stream
and Just to the left-halt-iu fine place
To pitch our tent. In thirty minutes the
tent is up, hay is procured Tor the horses
and everything is in readiness for the
night and the tremendous shower now
upon us. How the lightning PLAYS
around these mountains and the crash
ing of thunder reverberates from hill to
hill. The rain falls in torrents but we
are under the tent canvas and don't
mind it. The provision boxes are open
ed and regardless of the shower we go
hard for the evening meal.
Tuesday morning opens more promis-
ing for fair day. \ substantial break
fast and the party are soon on the road
going up and up and up till the height is
reached and the descent begins. Be
You'd the height the trout brook is reach
ed. The horses rest by the roadside the
girls take the fishing lines and in thirty
minutes we have trout enough for
dinner. The fish are prepared for the
frying pan but II. 5. in trying to wash
them makes a blunder and loses his part
in the brook and at dinner expects, and
gets an equal share with the others.
Things in this life are not always equal
We move on across the "hurse back, II
six mile road where the Creator in the
beginning threw up the road bed and
man discovered and laid out the only
available way from the lower 10 the
upper settlements in this region.
At the dinner hour the party halt near
a spring of clear, SPARKLING water, fire
made, the trout fried and with plenty of
everything else a hearty meal enjoyed.
The pure air, coupled with the exercise
of the forenoon, gives one a sharp appe-
lite. On past the Parsons hotel, by the
old Dead River ferry, now degenerated
into raft of logs, on across the bridge
to Flagstaff. We never pass here with
out thinking of Arnold aud the expedi-
ton of Revolutionary times. A pleasant
drive of six miles further and we pitch
tent among the blueberries. They are
not plenty but easy of access and as the
party were for u genuine 'outng" the
blueberries came in second. Hay is pro-
cured at reasonable price, the horses
provided with comfortable quarters, the
luggage unpacked and we are in for two
days square comfort.
If anyone wants to pick blueberries
without climbing mountains, OF fording
streams or pushing their way through
bushes and brush and over boulders and
logs let them go to Dead river plains
among the bushes.
Wednesday and Thursday are occupied
in gathering blueberries, lounging in
tent and shade, visiting the "springsa
on the north side of the blueberry tract.
Old Bigelow lifts its massive sides to the
south presenting a scenery both grand
and beautiful. Thursday evening "A
second shower rolls in upon us. We
didn't want it to come but that made no
difference. We must make ready for a
second display Of warning elements of
lightning flash, thunder and rain. 1t
was no light affair, but first class in
every respect. The tent shook as the
wind and rain beat numerically against,
but it held and afforded a welcome
shelter.
Friday morning the tent was struck, to
us a military phrase, the wagon packed
and by unanimous vote it was decided
to return by way of Stratton, Jerusalem,
Salem, kingteld and West New Port
land. Six miles and Stratton is reached,
a beautiful little village at the western
base of Bigelow with church and stores
aud mills and five residences. Twenty
two miles to kingtield affords as pictur-
esque and beautiful ride as can be
found in the State.
The roads are in splendid condition,
OH Bigelow on the left and Abraham on
right affords a sight worth hundreds of
miles of travel to see, while the Cara.
basset and numerous other streams are
nearly always in sight. The road winds
along the right bank of the beautiful
Carrabasset and at one place in partcu-
lar the road way between the river and
the mountain OF rock and ledge will adj
NIT of but one team abreast. As we
passed the water was falling from the
high ledge above in miniature falls, af-
fording, in the sparkling sunlight, a
most beautiful sight.
At Jerusalem, a small settlement has
been hewn out of the wilderness and
large mills for the manufacture OF
lumber built. Passing this point we are
brought up suddenly 10y the cry "bridge
up and must wait an hour before cross.
ing Two men are there doing the job
The old plank are removed awaiting the
replacing by new, but only one-half OF
the amount required are there. We are
in hurry and don't want to wait Ii is
proposed to build a temporary structure
that will admit of horses being led across
and the wagons hauled across by hand.
The work is soon accomplished, S. +
takes his horse first, then X. w. then II
S. tries it with one of his, but the mare
Belle by name, concludes to create q
little sensation by laundering off thu
rather narrow pathway and falling upon
the stringers laid across to hold up the
plank. There was considerable paving
and scramblng on the part of the horse
/ a So al; a.. x,rlO "a