The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-06-02

a very fine falls, to say nothing of the
pretty drive, with the MERGED running
swiftly and furiously beside us ali
the way, perfect cataract, the hills
above us, first one object, then another,
attracting our attention. Then turn
ing and crossing a strong wooden
bridge, we came to the foot of the
lovely Bridal Veil'' Falls, as I said,
above $50 feet high, coming sheer
down. In consequence of the direct
fall from so great height, the water
becomes disintegrated toward the bot
tom and forms a mist, giving it the
Iaee-Ike appearance from which, no
doubt, it takes its name. The light,
vapory nature of the water is such
that the little wind that is stirring and
possibly also the striking of this light
vaporous water against the ground
causes it to rise and wave about like
a gauze and rise some hundreds of feet
from the eartn, spreading, as it did
when we were there, out over the road
way, where it fell upon us like rain.
Often, in fact, nearly every afternoon
when the sun begins to sink, there is
to be seen a beautiful rainbow across
the foot of the falls. Alas! the aft
ernoon clouded over and we are to be
disappointed in this. No, mol we wait
ed a few minutes and the sun broke
through, and behold! there was the
most gorgeous rainbow ever seen on
earth. Perfectly arching across the
misty water, out shone the rainbow
all the colors of the rainbow, we often
say, but not only were there all the
colors of the rainbow there, but shin
ing with a depth and intensity incon-
ceivable unless seen.
Back to the hotel, rest, a visit to
the photo stores, dinner and early to
bed after long, interesting, beautiful
days travelling and thorough enjoy
ment.
Next morning up betimes, breakfast
at 7:30, at eight we started up the
valley, driving to the Mirror lake,
the sun was up and brightly shining.
Presently we drove into the shadow
of the rocks, till we reached the lake,
a calm, still water, in which was clear
ly reflected the great Half Dome,
which looks like the '.North Dome'
split in two, 5000 feet above US, and
other hills as we moved from point to
point around the lake. The reflections
were wonderfully clear and perfect by
reason of the stiffness of the water. !
watched. We saw as we looked down
a light coming over the top of the
g Half Dome,'' then peep of sunlight, !
till the glare of the sun rising over |
the hill top dazzled our eyes; turning
away and moving to another point, the
same thing was repeated, and three
times we saw the sun rise over those !
great hills. Of course, we could have
seen the sun direct by looking upward,
but what is more fascinating than re-
aections2 But was it not curious
thing to see the sun rise three times
after we had already seen it high in
the heavens?
We then drove on to the "Happy
Tsles;'' dismounting here, we crossed
a little wooden bridge, or rather
bridge formed by laying a big fir
tree across the stream, with a light
landrail fastened thereto, there were
;hree or more islands thus connected. On
all sides there rushed foaming waters,
from some falls above, while the is
ands were we4- wooded. Wandering
along amidst sylvan paths we came to-
ward the source of the stream; here
.ushed down a mighty foaming cata-
act, to which the ''Swallow Falls"
n Wales is a mere splash. 1t was
grand in the extreme. Alasi time is
. hard master and called us peremp
orily away before we had stayed half
Is long as we should have wished.
Back along the beautiful valley-gaz-
ng, ever gazing, at all the wondrous
carnations around us.
A pleasant, pretty walk in the neigh
'orhood of the hotel, then to lunch,
hen, alas. on the stage again to turn
ur backs upon this enchanting valley.
We left at 1890, noon.
The time at our disposal would not