Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1898-08-25
Colorado, the Playground of the World.
ALetter From Rev. Frank Mcdaniel.

LcttCT FfOUf Nov 'SSe''S''
We have during the past week made
a tour of the State of gigantic mountains,
alluvial parks, fierce cataracts and
gloomy gorges. and after our inspection
we are of the opinion that the half was
never told us.
Colorado, the Centennial State, is the
apex of North America. 1t is the di-
vide between the Pacific and Atlantic
shores. 1t Is the heart of the Rocky
Mountain system and here can be seen
innumerable peaks which rise to a height
of IL, 600 and Is, 200 feet, some over 1900
feet.
We doubt if America or the world can
furnish in the way of natural scenery
ANYTHING which can compare with the
righteousness Of Colorado. SwitZer
land has been named The Playground
of Europe" and is annually visited by
over fifty thousand European and fifteen
thousand American tourists. The at
fractions which have made her famous,
namely, mountain scenery, good climate
and mineral springs, all belong to Colo
RADIO, which in addition has the finest
fishing and hunting.
If the length of this article permitted,
the superiority of the claims of Colo
RADIO to the title THE Playground of the
World could be indisputably demon
strated.
The beautiful scenery, the bracing at
mosphere and the mineral waters make
a combination which attracts tourists In
large numbers This has brought into
existence an extraordinary group OF re-
sorts which every year are crowded with
visitors. Perhaps the largest and most
popular of these is the group which clus-
tiers around Colorado Springs and Mani
tou. These we had the pleasure to visit.
Who can ever forget Manitou? 1t is a
spot of supernal beauty and will ever
abide in our memory. 1T is absolutely
without flaw and we are sorry to tell
our friends who only know the shores OF
the sea that it is unpicturable to them.
At this resort are to be found the waters
of the celebrated springs, namely, the
soda and iron springs Millions of gal
Ions are exported annually.
A small sum secures the visitor the
services Of a guide and some of the
grandest scenery can be observed. This
we did and the Grand Caverns and the
gave Vi llt w llluo dlC uCIl liNiS 10
They are located some little distance
above the town. The two caves are very
similar and furnish an opportunity to
inspect some of the most unique of nat
ural formation.
The guide next conducts you through
the celebrated Garden of the Gods. Who
has not heard Of this park? 1t covers
an area Of 500 acres and here are found
some rock-fgures of striking form and
beauty. The approach to the garden is
through a portal of two magnificent
rocks of red sandstone $50 feet high.
These can be seen for miles. In all this
western scenery, color is an element Of
charm. The air is SO crystalline, with
out particle of haze, and makes every
scene indescribably clear and sharp to
the eye. In this garden the guide points
out some wonderful natural formations,
such as the Lizard, Lion, Camels, Seal
and Bear. Toadstools, Siamese Twins,
Three Graces, the Balance Rock and
many others. We had frequently seen
drawings of these things in black and
white, and after a personal inspection
would say such drawings give an made
quate idea of the original.
The eliminating experience has been
deferred until just prior to our depart
ure. The majesty of the Rocky Noun
tains will remain with us ever since we
stood on that topmost pinnacle and had
an hour of solemn eXhaltatiOn and IN
SEPARATION with ajeStiC nature. There
are some SUBMITS which are even more
elevated than the famous Pixies Peak,
but the difference would scarcely be APP
preciable. The altitude of Pixies Peak
is II. l47 feet above sea level. For pur-
pose of comparison the statement is
made that the altitude Of Mt. Washing
ton is 6, 293 feet, that of the Rigi 1922
feet, and of the Jungfrau 1867 feet
above the sea.
The ascent of this majestic peak de-
fed the efforts Of men for many years.
Pike, himself, made futile attempt in
1906 to ascend. 1t was not until 1854
that the first successful trail was cut.
Even then for years only the most hardy
and enduring of tourists made the trip,
which occupied two or three days. The
completion of a carriage road in 1889
made the ascent easier. In 1891 the
Cog-Wheel Railway began its operations
and now the ascent can be made with
ease and comfort The cog-road runs
directly from Manitou TO the summit 1t
climbs 1918 feet in nine miles and the
steepest grade on the road is one foot in
four. The road is one of the most costly
in the world. One million Of dollars was
used in its construction. Through the
courtesy of Mr.. Sells, the manager, we
made the trip on the afternoon of Au-
gust 18th. The time consumed is five
hours, which allows one hour on the
summit Any attempt at description
of that trip would be audacious. Any
thing more thrilling cannot be imagined.
Our party was highly favored. A driv-
ing snowstorm caused all, with few eX-
ceptions. to seek shelter. Far below the
storm swept and the forked lightningS
could be seen and the rumble of thun-
der could be heard. The panorama from
the summit is vast, and must be seen to
be appreciated. The effect of the atmos-
phere on the visitors is most marked,
and in several instances observed by us
was anything but pleasant.
Before closing our comments upon the
scenery, we would give our hearty COM
mendation TO the famous excursion
through the canons of Clear Creek into
the mining district OF Georgetown, where
it was our privilege to decend and in
spect large silver mine. The ingenuity
Of man is exhibited in the wonderful
double loop which make the ascent of
the canon possible. If in the future
any reader of the REGISTER visits Colo
RADIO, fail not to take the trip over the
loop.
We remained in the City of Denver
several days and were much impressed
with its beauty and progressiveness.
The city has we'll been said TO be the
geographical, railroad, financial, COM
mercial, smelling, manufacturing and
educational centre of the west. Its de-
velopment reads like romance. Less
than forty years ago the town was over
700 miles west of the nearest railroad,
while today over $1,000 miles of railroad
radiate from Denver. OF Denver il may
be said it has few superiors in point of
cleanliness anywhere. The system of
car-service is well nigh perfect Her
educational advantages are of the high
est character The city is receiving