Durango semi-weekly herald., 1906-04-12
AMERICAS eRAnDesT SCENERY
orizaba. Mexico. March II.

o
Orizaba, Mexico. March II.
We are now in the prettiest spot
visited in Mexico. And the ride from
Mexico City was full of interest
Leaving the city at a. m. we pass
through level section known as the
Plains of Apam. which are principal.
ly devoted to the cultivation of Ma.
guey. or Agave. from which the ma
tional beverage, pulque, is extracted.
There are thousands upon thousands
OF acres-as far as the eye can reach
for miles upon miles along the route.
During the morning ride we obtain
fine views of the extinct volcanoes
Ixtaccihuttli (The White Woman so
designated by the natives owing to
perpetual snow. and Popocatapetl
tThe Smoking Mountain) which rear
their peaks, eternally clothed in
snow. 1000 and 1880 feet respect
lively above sea level. AS we near
Esperanza-tne dinner station-a
very good view of "Pico de orizaba," :"
sometimes referred to as the Noun
tain of the Star Is obtained. This
is the highest mountain on the North
American Continent. stretching its
snowy pinnacle 1925 feet above sea
level. Leaving Esperanza we soon
encounter the finest scenery on the
continent, or the finest we have ever
run across in trips through the Rocky
mountain region from coast to coast.
We lay claim to fine views in dear
Colorado, but the one between Esper-
ANA and Orizaba takes the cake The
first mentioned place has an eleva-
tion of S,O44 feet and in a distance of
GA miles to the table lands we de-
sceDd $500 feet. The engineering
portion is only equalled by that of the
Denver & Rio Grande and other Colo
rado roads. The line is cut ont of rocky
walls and trains pass through many
tunnels in making the descent. Aft
er circltng around the mountains for
half an hour we come in view of the
village of Maltrata. possibly 1000 feet
below So steep is the mountain that
it seems as though we We're directly
above the city and the buildings look
Ike tiny objects. 1t is impossible to
make out moving figures--a man from
an animal-the whitewalled churches
being the only distinct outlines. At
last. by long detonrs, sharp grades
and many curves, we find ourselves
on the first bench and at Maltrata.
The village is located in quite a broad
valley which must be beautiful in
midsummer, or the rainy season
when all is green and luxurious. On
all sides are towering mountains
After short stop we continue to
this city, passing along much magnif-
cent scenery, looking down into the
Barranca del Infernillo (the ravine OF
the Little Held. The track runs
along the very edge and from the car
window the passenger can see the
foaming water rushing in its self
hewn canal fully 600 feet below him
Then we gently drop to the plain
which is reached by the water so
quickly and are soon at Orizaba, a
fayorite summer and winter resort
It is here where we first get a really
good idea of tropical growth. Arriv-
ing about $3.50 we soon seek the out
skirts of the town and wander along
roadways and well-beaten paths
among the orange, banana and other
tropical fruit trees. The air is per-
fumed with sweet odor from the |
orange trees and we feel as though |
week could be spent here with
pleasure. We find the various plazas |
mass of roses of every description
and the evening stroll is certainly |
agreeable. But we are bound for the |
isthmus and cannot loiter TOO long
on the way. hence arrange TO take the
early morning train for Cordoba.