The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1899-09-29
HOW SPENT MY VACATION.

Just a brief description Of how I
spent my vacation this year, with
little more expense than the salary
earned during my trip, may not be
amiss. 1t was a most delightful change
from the hated and dusty %pavenents to
roll over the boundless praivies and
view from the car windows Of a Mis-
souri, Pacific train the magnificent
scope of country between here and
Pueblo. There is no GOODNESS like
that which comes with the shades OF
night on these vast plains, filled then
with waving corn and ripening wheat.
There is no more bracing air than
that with which one rcfrcshcs his
lungs in the early morning when the
mountains of Colorado are just com
ing into view, the mighty Pixies Peak
reaching the vision long before its
lowlier n~eighbors. When taken com
f%ortably. there is no plcasanter ride
than over this same garden spot OF the
Western world which in IL geosra-
phies was aid down as the Great
American Desert. So We rode into
Pueblo and thence by the Denver and
Rio Grande Dad TO Denver. a fair city
with all the comforts and handsome
buildings of her older sisters Of the
East and lying in an altitude far above
the air We breathe in our homes. Il
gem in an emerald setting Of never
yielding mountain heights. Ccnt!nu-
ing our journey over the Denver and
Rio Grande and the Rio Grandc West
crn roads we started for Salt Lake
City. the capitol of the new state,
which has been APPLY termed the
Mountain Walled Treasury OF the
Gods And thus We are permitted to
pass through the most varied II en-
trancing scenery Of he Rocky Noun
tains and to witness the wonders OF
the Royal Gorge, where the cunning
OF man has overcome the difficulties
presented by Nature in her efforts at
the grotesQuc and the sublime. These
chained out attention II drew
brCathlesS expressions, especially when
crossing some chasm on an almost i'm
possible bridge structure with a roar
ing brawlirg stream beneath us. 1t
is inspiring and grand every foot of
the way TO Salida ard from there many
other decided attractions we visited.
Perhaps that which will most interest
a large number OF M fellow carriers
is Marshall's Pass, that marvellous
testimonial to American engineering
skill. AS the altitude grows greater
the view becomes less Obstructcd. Miles
Of cone-snaped submits are in view.
We are in and above the home OF the
clouds. We see the snow covered
spires Of the Sangre dc Christie range
To our right is the fire Scared front
of cid Ouray. We reach the summit
at an altitude OF 1882 feet. From
this point a magnificent view can be
had of the Sangre de Christie range.
The pass Is q scenic and scientific won
der: grades Of 211 feet to the mile arc
frequent. The streams from the sum
nit flow eastward into the Atlantic
and westward into tho Pacific. We
are impressed with the feeling that
we are on the pinnacle of the world.
1t would require much space to tel
of ali the beauties of this trip and OF
the pleasures Of Cur stay in the City
Of the Prophets. There are many
points of interest and among those
hat claimed our attention were, nat.
urally, the Mormon Temple and Tab
ernacle; Fort Douglas, United State.
Military Post, three miles: White Sui
phur Springs, one mile; Beck's Ho
opIlHSS. Three llileS, l|lDclty TdIk
one mile; Calder's Park, three miles
together with other attractions ant
drives too numerous to mention. Thir
teen miles from the city is located tn
magnificent bathing resort. Saltai
Beach, on Great Salt Lake, the fines
salt water bathing resort in the worlc
Let me urge upon my friends to tr
this trip during some vacation. 1t wi
well repay the expense in the restora
ton Of health, the broadening Of tn
mind and the addition it will give t
each ones general information, tenc
ing thus to raise his standard of cit
zenship and to help himself n h
brothers thereby.