Los Angeles herald., 1910-04-10
WONDERS OF AUTO
TRIP DESCRIBED
R. P. Shea Gives Account of Tour
to Lancaster by Way of
Charming Canyon
STREAM FORDED 81 TIMES
Magnificent Views Hold Members
of Party in AWed
Silence
STREAM FoRDED Ga TIMES

Leaving Los Angeles in a fivepas-
senger car, via San Franctsquito can
yon for Lancaster and returning the
same day is not SO bad" said r.. z.
Shea, manager Of the sales department
of Robert Marsh g. Co.
LAS q test for endurance and speed
the route is unexcelled, and in pictur-
esque beauty it sufpasses anything
which have seen.
Accompanied by four members of
my family, 1 set out on the morning of
March 8, via the San Fernando road.
AS far as Burbank the road Is In fine
condition, but grows rough near Ros-
coe, where the big Tejunga is crossed.
The good roads commission is at work
now, and this will soon be in splendid
condition.
"On entering the Newhall grade we
found the pass In poor condition. -Four
cars were stalled on the first 600 feet.
One of our party remarked that at
least three of these cost twice as much
as our machine, which took the grade
without difficulty. Up like bird 1t
skimmmed over tho winding road,
through narrow passes and along the
edges OF Jagged cliffs, true as an arrow
in it's course, and moving with the
swiftness and ease of an eagle amid the
rugged mountain heights. A good road
runs through Newhall and Saugus;
we enter the canyon, where for thirty
miles it winds through the rocky cliffs,
where magnificent views of scenery
afford endless variety and entertain
ment. Great towering cliffs of granite
stand like sentinels over fertile wales,
where at intervals ranch home breaks
In upon the solitary grandeur of the
scene.
I'VE left the divide at Elizabeth lake
and entered the Antelope valley. Here
the magnificent scene which burst upon
the view held us in awed silence. The
spell was broken by an exclamation of
delight from one of our party who
likened the lovely landscape to the
vision of the promised land which was
granted of old to the chosen people.
along as far as Del Sur we found
s. good road. The Elizabeth lake road
is cut up in places by the heavy
supply wagons in the aqueduct service
on their way to the camp, twenty miles
west of Lancaster. Our party reached
Lancaster at 1890 in the best OF spirits
and keyed UP to the highest note OF
enthusiasm about the route and the
comfort of travel in an EMF. After
transacting business we started on the
return trip, leaving Lancaster at $50
and arriving In Los angeles at II p. m.
None but experienced drivers should
attempt the trip by night, for the heavy
grades and sharp turns in the pass
render 1t hazardous even to the prac-
ticed chauffeur. Our party was alto
gether too enthusiastic and buoyant TO
find time for thoughts of danger. The
only thing we dreaded was reaching
the end of so altogether delightful a
trip. The weird fascination of that
ride through faint starlight and the
deep. mysterious gloom will not soon
be forgotten. Softly and smoothly we
glided down the steep grades, safely
we passed through narrow, winding
WAYS. and gayly we SKINNED along
the open country road like some sure
footed antelope, native to the cliffs
and guided by the unerring reasoning
called instinct.
"There was a discussion on the trip
as to how often we really crossed the
ford, so we all agreed to keep count
on the return trip, and found the num-
ber of crossings to be Just sixty-four
In places the water was two feet deep.
IL your carburetor Is low, see that 1t Is
well protected when you travel here
or you will have trouble. say when
you travel here,' for take 1t for
granted that you will do So If you
love beauty of scenery, or IL you enjoy
the happiness OF achievement, you can
not afford to miss taking this trip.
"I wish to say in conclusion that I
have no interest in the EMF further
than that this is my choice of cars, and
/ expect to use 1t in the future. My
experience has convinced me that am
justified in making the statement that
II is equal in endurance and speed to
cars twice as high priced, and I take
pleasure in adding my tribute of ap-
probation and praise to the general
verdict of approval"