The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-08-17

shine back the starry skies
ve do not remember the name of the
author of the above quotation, nor have
,o over seen the fair Lake Constance,
which the writer so wildly describes
in that delightful poem, but we do
know that it is not necessary to go to
Switzerland to see lovely lakes and
mountain scenery. Nor is it even so
that we have to go without the bounds
onr own cOunty-kittitas. There lies
N the northwest of us, nesting in the
bosom of the Cascade range, high up
toward the ragged summit, the beauti-
ml emerald, Lake kahchess. 1t is
ono of thrde sister lakes, Lake kichelos
living to the west and Lake CleElum to
the east. 1t was our privilege recently
to spend two days upon and around the
Kahchess.
Arriving at the foot of the lake
early Monday morning, our party found
encamped there some of the Christian
Endeayorers of this city, and until the
arrival of the launch, enjoyed their
fellowship. Little of the lake can be
seen from the boat landing at the lower
end, and so one does not realize the eX-
parse of water he is to see.
About eleven o'clock Capt. Gale ar
rived and we were soon off for kahchesS
Lodge, about seven miles up the lake.
The launch -Dorothy-is twenty-three
footer propelled by a hve-horse power
gasoline engine and plows through the
lakes bright waters at speed of seven
and one.half miles per hour, leaving
in its wake ripples which broaden in
we'll defined lines until they break upon
the shores; her carrying capacity is
from twelve to fifteen people.
Cap. Gale is very pleasant, atiable
gentleman, who takes great pride in
making one feel at home in his launch
and answers the thousand and one time
worn, threadbare questions of his pas
ssngers good humoredly and patiently
and after about fifty minutes of most
pleasurabls riding steered us safely in
to his boat house at the lodge.
The lodge is rustic building, snug
among the tall pines and frs, on the
western shore of the lake and is built
entirely from logs cut from the sur
rounding timber, finished lumber hav-
no place in its structure. The sur
rounding buildings are built 10 the
same manner and everything is ar
ranged conveniently. A hydraulic ram
raises pure, clear, cold water from IA
spring to the first and second floors
We found the lodge full to overflow
ing, it having been necessary to to
pitch number of tents, that all might
be accommodated Both sides of the
mountains, from Yakima to Seattle be-
ing represented, at bathing, boating,
reading, resting, fishing or other avo-
cations as might appeal to their fancy.
The rooms are all clean, the beds com
Portable, the dining service comfortable
and the table service the best, all be-
ing ably superintended by Mrs. Gale.
A trip in the launch up to the head
OF the lake Tuesday morning was the
most enjoyable feature OF the trip.
Leaving the Lodge about nine O'Clock
we headed for the Narrows about two
miles above. This is narrow strait
about one mile in length connecting
the greater and lesser Kahchess. Here
the channel is quite shallow and thick
ly strewn with large, well preserved
logs and stumps, and considerable care
must be taken in its navigation. The
tantalizing way in which those large
trout swim lazily about, or dart from
retreat to another, utterly ignoring
any tempting morsel in the shape of
bait or fly, is calculated to cause you
think unutterable things and repeat
language more forceable than elegant
Entering the Little Kahchess, the
mountains tower three thousand 1eel
above the cool surface Of the lake ana
its emerald depth reflect back the
hills and trees in perfect detail three
three thousand feet below. Mrrored
there is every tree, rock and crag, and
the eternal, snow capped range at It's
northern extremity, with its Jagged
peaks piercing heavens dome, has us
image given back without the loss OF
one iOta of its minutest perfection.
Picturesque coyes and points bound,