River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-08-14


stable nearby. We made a fire from
driftwood, ate our supper, then
clambered over the rocky point, and
saw what the waves had done to
them in all these years: The con-
tinual wash had carved them into
many fantastic forms and pictures.
At this point fine hotel had been
built by some rich man who, hear
ing rumors of a railroad coming his
way, closed his lands SO that all
Corners had to pay for privileges.
But the road did not come, the
hotel was never opened, and the
state has opened the coast road and
MANY from the inland towns and
cities pass this way. An old soldier
was in charge of the buildings, and
came to enjoy our campfire, as he
lives lonely life but for the sum-
mer tourists visits. AS twilight
deepened the revolving rays from
Pigeon Point light house sent a
CLEAN out over the waters, to be
seen for thirty miles. 1t is the
largest on the Pacific Coast-One
hundred and twenty-five feet high.
We crept beneath our blankets, but
all night long the thunder of the
surf upon the rocks along the shore,
and the incoming tide held part
of our eyes widely open until near
morning. On awaking we were
made aware of the unsatisfactory
ease" of a pebbly bed, by the
many sensations in our bones!
But oh, how good the breakfast IS,
and we fold our tent, tie in Our
traps, preparatory to starting. While
chatting with our entertainer of the
previous night a motion at my feet
caused me to move quickly and
discovered that | was standing at
the open door of gopher's home,
who was, in his nibbling way, warn
ing me of my discourtesy. Needless
to say we both moved on. Bidding
adieu to the genial soldier, we
pointed Kitty's head south, coming
to the aforesaid light house whose
magnificent appearance told of the
care "Unc1e Sam" has for those
who Ego down to the sea in ships. "
We had been told that part of
our way led over a stretch of the
beach for a distance of all the way
from three-fourths to four miles,
according to the thought of our in
formers, that we must drive over it
when the tide was out or going out,
and that there was no way off until
we reached the point. With all
these thoughts in our minds we
drove down the steep cliff right in
front of what proved to be the in
coming tide. We hesitated a mo-
ment, but the sand looked firm and
Mr.. Rhoads said he could drive it in
a half hour, so on we went. Kitty
was afraid of the surf, but at Mr..
Rhoads' word she went bravely on,
over rocks where it would seem no
driver could safely go, across wee
stream coming down from the cliffs
above and crossing our path out in
to the big water. A moment later
we saw a turn to our left, but we
had no idea it was or could be the
place, for we had driven but few
moments, and we crossed another
larger stream and not finding ou1
outing place, Mr.. Rhoads walked
ahead for a quarter of a mile, re-
turning with the word that there
was no such place beyond and he
could see away ahead where the
breakers were striking the cliffs
We turned about and retraced oul
steps, Kitty nervous and afraid Of
the waves as they curled about
her feet, Mr., Rhoads putting from,
his run and my heart anywhere but
in the right place, recrossing the
little creek, where he has told me
since our wheels went half way into
the sand and Kitty half way to he1
knees. In the kindness of his heart
he did not suggest what thought
was in his mind of the dreadful
quick sands, thus saving me SHOCK
of fear. We presently found ou1
way out and off the sands, crossed E
long bridge into fiat space beside
a good-sized creek, where we gladly
eamped down for the day, complete
~ used up, both horse and man, tc
say nothing Of the woman. Right
here let me say that the county
guilty of leaving such a pass unpro
tected by guide board should be
considered criminal. We thought
to go on after a rest, but the situa,
ton was too tempting and we pitch
ed our tent, gathered an abundance
of butter and eggs" growing every
where about US, prepared our bed
retiring early that we might make 9
quick start the following morning,