Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-08

sorts where people may be accommo-
dated who do not care to camp. For
the moderate sum of 5000 per day or
SlO.50 per week the tourists get first
class board. have two roomed cot
tage and are expected to furnish their
matter for an amateur.
The Gunnison river is noted for its
abundance of trout and people come
here from every state in the union to
fish IN the sparkling waters and re-
cuperate in the health giving climate
of sunny Colorado. lola is situated on
the Nd. and r, G. railway, some 300
mileA from Denver. The rugged noun
tains bn either side of the valley gives
the place decidedly picturesque ap-
pearance.
Cobolla (caroyo), one Of the most
popular summer resorts in Colorado, is
near here. Numerous cottages sur
round the large and commodious hotel
called "Sportsmen's Home" The cour-
teous landlord, assisted by his wife and
family entertain constantly from 40 to
10 guests, who come and go from early
June until late in October. and excur-
sions are run from surrounding towns
to this beautiful summer home all dur
ing the fishing season.
A summer resort is where one meets
almost every class. Of people from the
multa- millionaire to the poor degraded
man whose last cent has been spent
and he begs a bite to eat.
The altitude here is about 5000 feet
and the climate is desirable the year
round. We have no extreme heat In
summer, and the winters. which do not
commence before January or later,
are only Of about three months dura-
ton. The valley produces hay in album
dance, and cattle-raising is the prin-
cipal means of livIihood. Beautiful
homes are an evidence of the prosper
tty Of the ranchmen and education Ia
given much attention among their
children.
Fifteen miles below us in the Black
Canon Of the Gunnison, which is con-
sidered one of the most wonderful seem
cries in Colorado. A trip through the
canon in an observation car is indeed
q rare treat and felt fully repaid for
the expense and discomfort of having
my eyes filled full of cinders and a
badly burned complexion, but would
not vouch for the pleasant reflections
Of the boy who lost his hat on the re-
turn trip. For twelve miles the river
Is constantly changing. the track
crosses and recrosses the river in an
efforts to find it's way through the mar
row canon. Here and there are water
falls where the water comes tumbling
down over the almost perpendicular
walls hundreds Of feet. At the top IT
looks almost like silver thread but as
1t hurries down it's pathway of rock and
unites with the turbulent waters Of the
river.
The overhanging bluffs, the parks
and various shaped rocks in imitation
Of peoples faces, animals, etc, all serve
to keep one looking from one side to
the other in constant rapture at the
wonders nature has produced. The
Curicanta Needle is one of the most at
tractive views, standing, as 1T does
aloof from the other rocks. tends ct
magnify It's height and grandeur. Only
one man has even climbed to the top
Of the needle, a flag pone on the top
most pinnacle. proves to the skeptical
that one man was more daring than
brave in even attempting SO dangerous
q climb.
The Roosevelt party was here sew
|eral days hunting and fishing
during the past summer. We had
the pleasure of supplying them with a
lunch, consisting of sandwiches, coffee
and cantaloupes. The party disbanded
here and each left Allied with enthusi-
asm ever the game seen and captured,
declaring their intentions of coming
again next year.
But the mountains and their gran
deur must be seen to be appreciated,
and a summer spent at fishing resort
in the heart of the Rocky Mountains
Is certainly pleasure never to be for.
gotten.
Yours most truly,
Maude McClung Knopp.