The wageworker., 1910-03-19

is complete, nor will pen ever
express in adequate manner
the bearties, the charms, the
grandeur of so marvellous place. OF
which one might we'll say that it is
terrestrial paradise.
The Yosemite Valley is situated in
the heart of the Sierra Nevadas. al
most in the middle of the state OF
California. and between the eastern
and western foothills OF the noun
tains, the distance between them be-
ing a little more than 120 kilometers.
The word Yosemite is an English
corruption of the Indian expression
"Aiomitar tBig Gray Bear), which,
il is supposed was the nickname Of
an Indian chief, and is the name ap-
Piled to tribe that lived in the re-
gion stretching eastward from the
valley to the plains. However, the
word was not the name which the
Indians gave the valley, for they called
it "Awahni." which Is equivalent to
the Spanish word canon
Formerly the valley was inaccessi-
BILE for almost half the year. because
the SHOWS in that region fall with so
much abundance that they completely
obstruct passage over the highway.
At present a railway line goes to
Ell Portal, which is distant only some
twenty kilometers from the valley,
this distance being covered by stage
coach over a magnificent highway con-
structed by the federal government,
under whose control is the valley.
Thus then have been eliminated the
obstacles which formerly made the
trip SO disagreeable, and that beauti-
full point can be visited at any period
of the year. The railroad goes from
Merced to FL Portal, the distance be-
tween the two points being II kilo-
meters, more or less. 1t traverses
the picturesque valley of the Merced
river. and crosses it at various points.
On reaching the foothills of the noun
tains the railway follows the course
Of the river, which at times is at a
very great depth below the road and
at others almost on a level with it.
The line from Ell Portal to the Yose-
mite is travelled, as has already been
said, by means of a stage coach. and
is very comfortable as well as pic
turesque.
On the way to the valley. still at
some distance. there are presented to
the sight of the spectators huge rocks
and mountains of the most capricious
forms; one is like an elephant, farther
on another has the aspect of a camel;
still another has the form of a castle;
and from all these stand out sharply
those called "El Captain" The Sen
tinei," The Cathedral Spires" and
The Three Brothers"
AS the road ascends the grandeur
and beauty of the landscape are en-
hanced; look whatever way one will
he sees foaming rivulets falling from
high rocks; old and mysterious pine.
sigh to the measure of the music O
the waters: here and there are seel
mountains, gigantic rocks and preci
pices, the contemplation of which in
spires admiration mingled with ave.
While the mountains constitute tn,
element of grandeur in the landscape
the streams of water give it the toucl
of beauty; nothing more picturesqu
can be conceived than the torrent, tn
pools. the falls of the Merced. Il
some places it flows sweetly belo>
leafy trees, in others it rests In r 'aci
pools, that it may precipitate itsel
afterward with vertiginous rapidit
In cascades like mantles of foam an
drift Of diamonds. At many point
enormous rocks obstruct the cours
Of the river. fragments of the tai
rocks that lie on either side of it
surrounding them or leaping owe
them, the water follows it's indefati,
able way.
There are no two sights alike; an
the journey is for the eyes of tn
traveller q succession Of delight afte
delight, such is the variety of til
landscape.
Finally presentiment tells tn
traveller that he is near the valley.
little later there presents itself to HI
eye "The Bridal Veil," one of tn
finest waterfalls Of the valley; farths
on. at the right. stands out the roc
Ell CAPTAIN" which majestically a
cends to the height of 1000 meter
and on the left rise elegantly to q
elevation Of 800 meters 1.-THE Cath
dral Spires" these two rocks formiu
what might appropriately be calle
the southern door Of the valley. On,
in 1t are discovered the countless ma
wells which it shuts in. such as WAS
ington's Column" a rock on the le
Of 100 meters altitude. which shoe
its twilight shadow across the Ha
Dome. whose height is 1900 fe'
above the level Of the Merced. "Tl
Sentinel is perhaps the greatest an