River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-07-28

"a have some diversion from my
unremitting toll; in fact va
cation was imperative, and
determined to get out at once. My
mecca was and ever will be the White
mountains, and to their peaceful, rest
ful solitude | fed, taking with me only
a short skirt, sweater and heavy boots
for mountain climbing.
Ny funds would not permit me to
locate at even the smaller hotels, and
hearing of a quiet farmhouse in the
town of Kearsarge, secured board
and settled down for the time of my
life.
Although very tired and weary from
my long journey, | awoke next morn
ing bright and early, refreshed and
ready for mountain climbing, for it
must be remembered that the invig-
Grating air of old New Hampshire
hills has sudden as well as perma-
nent effect. | did Kearsarge easily.
a steady climb of three miles, hard
miles, too, but well worth the effort
when one considers the delightful
view awaiting the climber-Portland
harbor, Poland springs, Songo river,
SebagO lake and many other smaller
lakes In Maine. The day was intense
ly clear, and we had no difficulty in
discerning people moving about on
Mount Washington-could even dis
tinguish men from women. A house
on top of the mountain affords shelter
IF one cares to stop over night to see
the sun rise, and food is also obtain
able at the same shack.
After a day and night on Kearsarge.
we Ct say we, for / met the most de-
lightful people imaginable at the farm
house,. planned to have a quiet day
with only a short walk, and after a
late breakfast went to Mount Surprise,
less than a mile, which, in climbing,
seems little more than a hill. But
on reaching the summit behold the
splendor of 1t all! The magnificent
view is one long to be remembered;
the Presidential range, with old Mount
Washington the banner peak, plainly
in the distance presents a picture not
easily described. The awful grandeur
of those gigantic monuments that have
stood for centuries, in sharp contrast
to the peaceful valley below, dotted
with it's little hamlets, forms a spec
tacle that any words of mine would be
utterly inadequate to portray. 10th
to leave this glorious scene, we de-
scended the mountain and made for
the Cathedral woods near by, and
there in the heat of the day we were
in the most beautiful pine woods in
New England, the tall and stately mon
archs standing in row resembling the
pillars of a cathedral, hence the
name Surely this was haven of
rest for a weary body, and tired
brain; rustic seats, the most luxurious
carpet of pine needles, the gentle yet
constant murmur of the swaying pines
and the never-ending notes of the song
birds. 1t seemed like a spot en-
chanted, where we should speak and
move reverently. Reluctantly we left
this seemingly hallcwed wood, resell
wing to spend as many hours there as
our limited time would permit.
Then day was reserved for a visit
to Breton woods, over the Maine Cen
trail railroad, through the famous Craw-
ford Notch, a trip which cannot be
excelled in grandeur east of the Rock
les. This stony pass was discovered
in 1772 by hunter named Nash, and
IN 1903 a road was made through the
Notch as far as Bartlett at cost of
$4,000, one of the most daring ven
lures ever conceived by man. Upon
entering the lower gateway of the
Notch, on the right is to be seen
Mount Webster with its slide-torn
sides, on the left Mount Wiley ascend
ing abruptly from the forest, and in
front Mount Willard with its tinted
cliffs. 1 shall not attempt to describe
the solemn majesty of those noun