Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1910-09-01

picturesque OL Lue pTtnlbLOTlC rum
of the Southwest, are reached from
Mancos, Colo, thriving little towi
in the fertile Mancos valley. Gu
party reached this place on the after
noon Of the day before which thu
contemplated trip was made. Ar
rangements were completed with G
B. Kelly for our transportation ant
visit was paid H. NJ. Randolph, thu
genial and courteous superintendent
OF the park. Early the next morning
we found ourselves on the way, en-
joying the bracing air that blew from
the mountains, and the ride Of fif'
teen miles in a wagonette. Heavy
roads retarded our progress some
what, but the first and easier stage
Of the trip was completed in good
time, lunch was eaten, wagonette
had been disbanded, horses chatting
the bit had been mounted, and all
were in readiness for the ascent OF
the trail, when. to our dismay, we
heard the peals Of thunder resound-
ing from the mountains not far dis
tant. The storm approached so rap
idly that we scarcely had time to dis
mount and get under cover. The
rain fell in torrents, but soon sub
sided and the ascent was begun. The
rain had rendered the adobe soil
soft and very slippery, and It was
with great difficulty that the top was
reached. Horses unused to noun
tain climbing would have failed ut
terly. AS 1t was, several fell, and
the riders were scared all but to
death, and not without cause, In
fact we all felt that 1t had been the
most thrilling experience Of our life.
The summit reached there was
spread before the eye one Of the
most charming scenes ever witnessed.
The beautiful Montezuma valley,
dotted with vast patches of green
with Cortez in the center stretched
out for many miles before the gaze
Of the beholder. in the distance
rearing their majestic heads we saw
the mountains of New Mexico, Arl-
iona and Utah. One becomes en-
raptured before such vision, and
could wish to tarry long; but there
are still miles to travel before the OBJ
jectiye point is reached. Soon we
were Fastening down over the Mesa,
lodging around pinyin and cedar
trees, passing through section once
inhabited but now forsaken, the re-
treat only of bird, rabbit and wild
cat.
At four o'clock our hearts were
gladdened by the sight Of Camp
Kelly" where we alighted somewhat
worn and weary, but not lacking in
enthusiasm. Forgetting that we werc
tired, while two Of our guides we're
our supper, we followed
another to the head Of Navajo can
yon a little way off, where to our JOY
we beheld the object of our quest,
a cliff dwelling, the Spruce tree
house. After viewing it at a dis
lance with a strange feeling Of Won
der we descended to the bottom oil
the canyon, and then passed up into
that ancient abode Of people, who
knows who. Several hours were
spent in examining the architecture
which shows not little skill for that
ancient and untutored people, pass
ing through one hundred and four
teen rooms, eight Of which were I'M
and used for ceremonial
Needless to say that we
all had beautiful theories worked out
in less time than would be required
to relate them; and we could not
successfully disprove each others
views because no one knows the
facts.
Returning TO our camp after hav-
ing slaked our thirst in the refresh
ing spring below, We found our
vrides had prepared supper whose
aroma would have been sufficient to
tempt the gods. Even lesser per-
sonages whose appetite had been
by the strenuous life OF
the day found themselves helpless to
resist. Supper over camp fire was
built around which the party gather
ed and related interesting stories and
experiences. / said inter
esting stories" for Kelly remarked
that he had not had such an evening
In nineteen years as guide to the
vesa Verde, 'the green plateau"
At a late hour we returned to our
tents to retire for the night, but the
inclination to sleep was slight occas-
Ioned in part BY the fact that We
we're not warm enough, but more BY
! strange feeling Of loneliness, due.