The San Francisco call., 1909-02-21

keep in condition. The snow Is washed
off. so that the proper kind OF freezing
goes steadily on
Almost every express brings ice
skates to some one in the valley. 1t is
one OF the very newest sports there.
The ice came before the skates Who
Will minimize the chances Tor skating
during NOsemites winter when IL is OF
record that ice blocks 12 inches thick
have been cut from Mirror lake and
several ponds?
One morning brought a snowfall
not stOrm-that pictures on every
side and at every moment If ii had
one charm more than another. il was
because the flakes fell through abso-
lutte stiffness. Even Yosemite falls,
that are ever insistent. We're practical
ly frozen Just quiet little stream
came down between the spray which
had been changed into ice on the sheer
cliffs. At this time 13 inches of snow
fell. making the valley and the noun
tains more beautiful than ever. Later
a mist like the ieeciest OF clouds
draped and redraped the heights. At
one time it. lay Just under Half Dome.
and piercing and framing it were the
TAN pines. while above was a Sky as
blue as that of Mexico.
After the sun and mist had tried
every plan for making the valley more
alluring terrific cannOnading break
ing the wondrous silence told that the
sun had been busy with more heroic
work also. 1t has been melting the
Ice on the front of the cliffs and on
the steep places in the higher noun
tains, and it was falling to the depths
below. The echoing and re-echOing OF
this could be heard very far. 1t seemed
as II some giants In the mountains
were giving battle to one another.
Out OF all the rides and walks and
tobogganing I learned that no one
need stay away from Yosemite in win
ter for lack of a hitting outfit" Wear
ordinary everyday clothes. Take as ex-
tras q sweater. a pair OF arctics for
snow walking, a scarf for a head
. wrap-for It Is much more comfortable
and convenient than a hat Of any
kind-and furs for comfort in stage
or sleigh riding. II the snow be deep
get barley sacks from the porter. They
make the only shoe covers and leg
gings that absolutely defy the snow as
1t melts when disturbed.
There IS no singing cold IN Yosem-
ite valley. even when the Thermometer
registered 21, %, 25, 80 and 80 de-
grees. There is no record OF zero
weather in Yosemite.
The wonders In Yosemite made me
forget a little the way by which one
gets there. In truth. if there were no
Yosemite at the end the winter trip
TO Ell Portal would be a sufficient
qualification. The Yosemite Valley rail-
road winds by the Merced river. which
IS a marvel OF beauty. Miles OF II
sweeps by highly colored jasper rock.
In fact. incredible as it may seem, this
very rock, mostly bright green, with
which the far away biblical people
lined the streets Of heaven, Is crushed
for road ballast. En- route one may
read the stories OF pioneer mining, and
in the old towns the remains OF gold
dust banks and picturesque southern
and other houses built by the men who
thought that they would for all their
lives be taking gold from the Merced
country.
One OF the surprises OF the trip was
the immense hotel. the Del Portal on
the mountain just above the station.
With every possible convenience and
furnished in the best OF taste. II in
vites a rest on the way to the valley
In fact. real vacation at any time. II
Is certainly hard place to leave
Yosemite valley in winter and all
the beautiful way to IT IS a wonderland.
II you want fresh start In this work
a-day world. go there II you want to
sweeten your soul and mind and know
a time OF sheer delight. go there; IL
all there Is OF time Is. yours and you
seek novelty and sport. do not hesitata
to 30. Spectacular winter - thaxA