Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-09-21

then plunging headlong toward a
giant cliff, apparently to smash-up
from which there seems no possible
escape, only to be whirled around
the abrupt angle of an unnamed
Gibraltar and hurled forward to rope
titions of the experience. See the
Kaleidoscope changes as we rush by
The canon walls recede as if inviting
us to pass; then close up with for.
bidding frown which almost shuts
out the light of day. Walls tinted
with beautiful reds, pinks and
hrowns, apparently just frosa the
hands Of Thor, and next are pre-
sented burned and blackened col
umns which admit that the SHOWS
and storms of untold ages have
beaten upon them.
Th" Royal Gorge is about 16 miles
long. Tho Arkansas river is fol-
lowed, the grade rising steadily. The
scenery continues to be of o high
order (no joke intendcd). You arc
among and upon the Rockies; great
peaks on every hand; large cliffs
rise up on one side, and on the other
is the river, growing smaller and
smaller. On the left side of the
road you are suddenly startled by
an object of which every one has
read-the Mount of the Hcly Cross.
Facing the railroad upon the noun
tain side is tremendous cross, as
perfect as if designed by an engineer,
in length and breadth almost tho
same dimensions as the mountain,
and as white as snow. In fact, it
appears to be snow drifted into
large gulches which cross at right
angles.
IN THE MINING REGION.
You are now in mining region.
Several large mines may be seen
from the roadside. Not far. from
here is Lcadville, on branch road.
Here the altitude is 10000 feet, and
very little growth appears large
mountains covered with snow, val
leys or basins between, through
Which clear streams rapidly flow to
join our little river. Near Leadville
we saw a pretty sight-a snowstorm
upon mountain top, from the glis-
tcning whitencss of which was re-
flcctcd the rays of the setting sun.
Right hcre it may be we'll to re-
mark that my preconceivcd ideas of
the Rocky Mountains were errone-
ous--rocky, to be sure, nothing but
sand and rocks, but as a rule there
are no trees, either in high or lower
attitudes. One would naturally pic
ture large peaks, bold, rocky cliffs,
a heavy growth of cedar, spruce and
other mountain trees. Instead, they
arc rocky, sandy and dry; sometimes
not even sprig of grass growing,
and sometimes scrubby bushes, min
gled with grasses and flowers. Hence,
while in proportions they arc much
g;randc", they do not compare in
beauty with our own mountains here
in the Piedmont region.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE RAILROADS.
Another remarkable feature is the
case with which railroads have
slipped through these mountains.
Occasionally fine pieces of civil and
mechanical engineering are encoun-
tered, but in tho main the roads fol-
low streams through the mountain
passes at the natural grade. There
is generally room enough for the
roadbcd without much blasting
slight cmbankniol,t5 only are ncces-
sary, and no bridges of Importance.
Doubtless the roads were expensive,
but owing only to their isolation
from supply ccnters and the consc-
qucnt cost Of materials and labor.
We reached Glenwood Springs on
Saturday night and rested there
Sunday. Far back in the mountains
20 crossed the divide and followed a
little stream which flowed westward ;
we were now in tho Utah Valley,
tho waters of which are eventually
carried by the Colorado river into
the Gulf of Lower California. Here
our little stream had grown to con.
siderable size, and rojoiccd in the
appcllation of tho Grand river. It is
rapid, clear stream and flows near
tho Hotel Colorado, the best hotel in
tho place.
The town is of no consequence
but the surroundings leave little to
be desired. The river borders the
lawn, and back Of tho hotel, close up,
mountain rises high. In front
there arc mountains; mountains to
the right and to tho left. In short
l