Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1908-07-15
Interesting TRIP THRO' CALIFORNIA |
FORMER WEST VlRGlNIANS TELL
OF THEIR JOURNEY
Through the Mountains and ValI6us
OF the Golden State Sleep
Where 'RdttlesndkGS
Rattle.
EDITOR ADVANCE:

Friday, May 90, train of three
camp wagons left Lemoore at $3.50
p. IN. There were thirteen in ALL:
Il. c. Payne aud family, Mary
Wills, Mr.. Battenfeld and family
and Mr.. and Mrs. Mcdonald. We
drove TO Laguna de tache and
camred for the light at the home
OF friend. She had supper pre-
pared for us so we made no camp
fires that night. Our beds con
sisted of blankets spread on the
ground with nothing for shelter
but the stars and blue sky. The
evening was spent in music on the
graphophone and some Of the
party danced the "Highland Fling"
Next morning we were all ready
for travelling by six o'clock. We
camped near Fresno for dinner
and took an hours rest for our
horses, made an old fashioned
camp fire, had Muiligan stew and
bread baked in an old skillet and
lid, hot coffee and all good things
anything tastes good on a camping
trip. The most delicate appetite will
become a horses appetite on trip
to the mountains.
We were on the road again by l
O'Clock ard travelled 10 San Joan.
gum river TO camp for the night.
Travelling about sixty miles - our
best days drive-the country so far
being level and the loyeliest roads
ever saw. The wind blew all day a
real hurricane aud 1t was cold
enough to snow. We drove our
wagons down the river bank be
hind the willows to get out of the
wind. The bank was covered with
large rocks and boulders. After
supper we took a stick and scraped
away the rocks so our blankets
could be spread. 1t wasn't the
softest bed in the world and we had
no idea how many rattle snakes
there were near us, but we slept
just the same.
he owner of the steam launch
lived close so he opened up the
dance hall ard we had piano and
violin music until bed time. Some
OF the party Waited. Did we have
on our bali costumes? Oh YES, to
be sure, our skirts came nearly to
our knees heavy shoes and leg
| glngs and Mexican hats.
We were pretty sore and stiff
after sleeping on the rocks, but it
soon wore off. Our beds were
made Brigham Young lashion-all
one long bed and when one gets mp
in the morning every one has to
get out in a hurry or else be drag
ged out by the toes regardless of
appearances.
This morning we had coffee,
bacon, eggs and hot biscuits and
were ready for travelling by 7
o'clock
Sunday morning we left Joan.
quin river. The country was just
little mountainous; the hills were
beautiful although there WASH t
anything on them but wild oats
not tree to he seen anywhere.
We stopped an hour for dinner az
usual, then travelled until 5 o'clock
when horses and people were tired
enough TO lay over tor the night.
We camped under railroad
bridge; the wind was blowing a
fierce gale and was cold. We
built big camp fire aud sat around
indian fashion. Some of the
neighbors came in with the banjo
and violin and the evening passed
away very pleasantly. Monday,
June /, we left camp about SIX
O'Clock a. IN. driving to MERGED by
1920; laid over here for repairs.
had tires set and laid in a supply of
feed for the horses. Started out
again about 2 o'clock and drove to
MERGED river TO camp for the night,
the country growing more noun.
famous, but still having good roads.
The MERGED is beautiful stream.
The water is as cold as ice. We
caught fish enough for breakfast,
went in wading and took a few
snap shots.
Tuesday we left at 7 o'clock
driving to Tuolumne river for din.
ner. BY this time the roads are
pretty rocky and steep, up one bill
and down another; the mountains
are nothing but rocks and lava
beds. Some have few scrub
oaks and wild feed which furnish
the cattle with feed all the year.
The mountains are beautiful though
nearly all are just as God created
them.
We are getting by this time in
the nnll cnnnAru On IL IL &