The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1907-04-05

Bellows Falls, where the falls Of the Con
nectioul, from which the name originates,
are great attraction, aud thrnyc down
the river, either ON the west side through
! the charming rural towns OF Nestmln'
ster, pulney and East Dummvrriuh, ai on
the New Hampshire road through Wal
pole aud the romantic thesierlirld hills
The whole distance is 90 miles, and after
a month at hydropathic training We ac'
oomplished Il easily in two days,
The 'Seycn'mile circle as Il u COM
monty called by the patients deserves the
next place IN our enumeration, Proceed
ing down the railroad We come out upon
broad meadows backed by hills and ter,
races, aud iniersperscd with Clnmps OF
trees, with here aud there a tall Iom'
hardy poplar. which give the scene, es'
pecally when lighted up hy the soft rays
of the declining sun, an almost Italian u.s.
pect, Passing through these meadows we
come to where the Broad brook emptles
its shallow and noisy stream into the
Connecticut, Here turning sharply 10 the
right up the course OF the brook, we en-
ter scene of Alpine beauty. The bcautl'
full stream winds its way through q mar
row valley, whose steep sides clothed with
pines hardly leave room for the passage
Of the road, while here and there narrow
gorges open into the dark woods beyond
The scene. whether visited IN the sultfl
heat of midsummer or when the pine
houghs are loaded with winters snow, and
the unfreuucnted road is unmarked 10y
any footprint save of the rabbit or spur
rel is cNquistely beautiful, and one j. a.
most tempted 20 take possession OF the
deserted dwelling which stands 30 PIE
turcsquely hall way up the valley, and bid
ding the world adicu, ia live henccior-
ward alone with nature.
After passing a narrow bridge we come
ous upon the little village OF Guiliord, or
Algiers rs il Is sometimes called, whose
neat Episcopal church looks down from
the rising ground 10 the left. From here
the distance to Brattleboro 10y either OF
two pleasant roads is about three miles.
The Gull road, a. 1t i called, through
the mort hern part of Chesterfield noun
tain. is another very interesting drive.
Crossing the substantial covered bridges
which connect the Vermont and New
Hampshire sides OF the river with the Is
land between We turn short TO the lell
through cool woods, under the shadow oil
the uverhanging mountain. catching here
and there an open view OF the river anu
the distant western hills. Passing the
woods and riding along the open bank,
we turn to the right through a narrow
gorge in the mountain Just wide enough
for the passage of the road, and Tor the
brawling mountain stream which Is US
ually to be found in such passes. Inc
road here for half mile Is exceedingly
picturesque and beautiful. emerging at
length into the open country, the other
side of the mountain, where the town ot
Chesterfield may be seen perched on the
top OF distant hill.
If after crossing the Connecticut, the
southern instead OF the northern road be
taken, a ride of six miles brings us to the
little beehive village OF Hinsdale. IA.
nous for its wooden pals thousands OF
which are annually made here by water
power. The village consists of one long
street by the side of the rapid Ashuelot,
which furnishes waterpower Tor various
other small factories. For two or three
miles beyond Iinsdale, the ride through
the narrow valley of the Ashuelot Is I'M
commonly beautiful. Six miles further IN
a more southerly direction is the town of
Northfield, one of the prettiest specl'
mems of a New England village we have
ever seen.
But. coming nearer home, and descend
ing to the hydropathic mode OF progres-
sion. we must mention what no patient
will fail to make himself acquainted with,
the -four mile circle The west village as
seen from one point in this much'ire
quented walk with its white spires and
QrOOplnE ems llcStltu beiVN AHt Spt, '"'''
in its cup-like valley, form most charm
ing picture, especially when seen by the
last rays of the setting sun as he sinks
behind the bold outline Of the western
hills.
No patient capable of undergoing the
fatigue land few who remain long but will
find themselves possessed OF the requisite
strength, should fail to ascend to the
summit of the mountain. An hours
climb will accomplish the ascent, and
the magnificent view to the west will re
pay the exertion. Another pleasant eX-
cursion is that to the Mine, shaft
which some years ago was sunk in search
of copper by some ungeoogical individual;
near the top of a peak directly behind
Chesterfield mountain. The view afforded
the spectator, perched on the narrow sum,
nit of this sharp crag, to the southwark
far down the valley of the Connecticut, IS
only second to that from the summit OF
| Chesterfield, while to the east a glimpse
may be obtained of the majestic Monad'
noe and the more distant Wachuset.
We have thus given a description OF
few of the pleasantest excursions and the
visitor will find that in whatever direc'
ton he proceeds he cannot fail to meet
with varied and interesting scenery; The
variety of scenery to be found in this re.
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