The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-08-10
Y OIL. XVIII.

talns. and not to the sunny land of
southern California where the Ex-
press was bound. When |. with seve-
raj others, alighted at the station.
we were disappointed to find the
mountains apparently as far away
as when we first beheld them. After
wait of two hours, we again
! boarded the train which took us
/ through Rock Ford famous in every
/ corner of our land because of the
/ melon which bears its name. and on
| to Colorado Springs. Now we were
( climbing the mountain for sure. and
everyone in our car was specializing
on which was Pixies Peak Having
secured a room for the night. | want
ed to take a walk to the foot of this
famous peak, as it appeared TO be
just at the end of the street. but
when | was informed that | had a
walk of fourteen miles ahead of me
l decided to wait till morning and
take street car.
The next morning | Joined a party
for drive through the Garden of
the Gods, the greatest natural won
der in America A fine driveway
leads from Colorado Springs through
this wonderland. over the Mesa. and
on 10 other places of interest. Car
riages, automobiles. and the old Re-
liable steed (the burrO) are used as
conveyance for the tourists. A half
hours ride brings one to the gateway
of this wonderful garden. Here the
rocks, worn away by centuries of
time. have taken on shapes of vari-
Gus animals, faces, etc, and many of
them are appropriately named, such
as the frog. alligator, ape, porcupine,
camels. Aunt Dinah. George Wash
ington. Uncle Sam. The list could
be extended into the hundreds.
At the highest point on Buena Wis.,
ia Drive is located a large boulder.
90 feet in width, 80 feet high. and
as many in length, and weighing 500
tons, standing on base AKA feet. 1t
is the famous Balanced Rock. When
I first beheld it. | could not refrain
from exclaiming with the poet:
"Oh, Wondrous Rock. on thy narrow
base,
b IL for lean
space.
Nearby is large ledge called
Steamboat Rock. from its resem-
blance to ship. upon which has been
placed many telescopes for the ac-
commodation of visitors, and by the
aid of which can be seen the city,
Fixes Peak, and many other places
of interest.
An opening between two cliffs over
300 feet high forms the eastern gate,
and lust inside of this gate are great
spires of rock rising $50 feet into
the air These are also known by
name. as Needle Rock Ruins of Mon
tezuma's Temple. The Three Graces,
Tower of Babel. etc. Many of them
are so slender that it looks as II
Kittitas breeze could blow them to
the ground.
Upon one of the cliffs forming the
eastern gate is huge stone face
known to all tourists as The Old
Gate Keeper" and. viewed at the
proper angle, reveals the perfect
features of man.
After passing this gate. we turned
to the northward and paid short
visit to the Woodmen Sanitarium for
the treatment of tuberculosis. Dr.
White. the superintendent in charge,
took us through the buildings and
some of the tent cottages, explaining
their method of treating this dread
disease. This visit was worth as
much or more than reading a whole
volume on the subject.
The next morning we took a car
for Manitou, located al the foot OF
Pixies Peak OF course. | did what
all other tourists do. and that Is 10
drink. or try to drink, from the cele-
brated soda spring from when the
CRYSTAL ice water gushes as from a
soda fountain. Here are also located
iron and sulphur springs. Although
AT the foot of the mountain this
town is six thousand five hundred
feet above sea level. and it was from
here that we secured burros and
started for the summit of THE Mon
ument of the Continent. AS rode
over the lower and easier portion OF
the trail. l thought that no name
could be more fitting. Serene anu
hold. It has stood through the myriad
wears that has spanned the cycles OF
the past. Still grand and vis'lan''
tic snow-crowned crest gave TO the
.o,;ro nathinders the hrst glau