The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-06-03


IIu 1t is seen for the first time
VN lends again some zest to
1A life.
~ The world Is fast grasp
ing the fact that In the
comparatively small space between Mexico
and the Isthmus of Panama lies, as 1t were.
the Land of Promise promise Of wealth in
calculable to the realm Of commerce, through
the cultivation and development of marvel
ously rich and fertile countries which are be-
ing opened up with wonderful rapdity by the
network Of railroads that are spreading
throughout the five beautiful republics of Gen.
trail America. More than land Of promise
to the Archaeological, who has here a vast
field for research wherein to unravel the mys-
terry which surrounds the history Of the an
Client American civilization and throw some
light upon the origin of the people whose won
derful works are evidenced in the ruins Of
prehistoric cities found hidden in dense trop-
zeal forests. land Of beautiful realities to
even the ordinary tourist, who finds easily
accessible wealth of scenic beauty unsur-
passed and a perfection Of climate rarely
eQualed.
This is particularly true Of Guatemala, the
most northern of the Central American repub-
lies and our nearest neighbor after Mexico.
1t Is reached by a three days delightful sail
on the Gulf of Mexico and along the coast Of
United Fruit company give every luxury and
comfort Of ocean travel, and Guatemala in
the very near future, will become the Mecca
OF those desiring to escape the cold and gloom
Of northern winter Nowhere in the world
can be found more magnificent and varied
scenery than that which greets the traveller
especially in the lake regions Of this lovely
republic. OF the four larger lakes-Peten,
lying far to the north; Yzabal, near the At
init
Central railroad not far from Guatemala
City. and Atitlan, tucked away in the noun
tains near the Pacific coast-there is small
choice. Differing so widely, each In its way is
perfect characteristic Of its location and eli
mate.
Upon our arrival a. Puerto Barrios we con.
cluded to visit Lake Yzabal before going up
to the City Of Guatemala. After one night of
rest therefore, we boarded the little mail
boat wb'cn carried us out from the landlocked
bay. short distance across the Gulf of Anna
tique and along the shore line, where graceful
palms stirred lazly in the perfumed breeze.
to Livingston. This town Is picturesuuely
situated on bluff at the mouth of the Rio
Dulce, Sweet river. new hotel with
comfortable rooms and excellent cuisine. has
lately been opened here, and a day or two
may be well spent enjoying the many unusual
scenes in this quaint little town.
From the porch of the Hotel Rio Dulce we
look down through a maze Of palm trees,
across the matched roofs Of the town, to the
sparkling waters Of the bay, where the Caribs
dart back and forth in graceful canoes. In
kneeling posture and with only the use of
paddle, they skim across the water with in
credible speed The air Is heavy with the
scent Of jasmine and gardenias; the CLEAN
of oranges and the tiny golden balls of the
cumquat meet the eye at every turn and tow
ering above all the great spreading branches
OF the wonderful breadfruit tree.
Lake Yzabal lies about 80 miles inland and
regular line Of steamers ply between Liv-
ingston and Pansoz, In the interior on the
Polochic river. We did not however, avail
ourselves Of this usual means of transporta-
ton, having had q launch placed at our dis
posal.
For the first ten miles we followed the
winding course of the Rio Dulce. the beauty
OF which is only comparable to that Of the
far-faned Saguenay. BY some terrible con-
vulsion Of nature, the mountains have been
rent asunder and through picturesque can
sons and gorges this lovely river wends its
majestic course to the sea. The shores gradu-
ally draw nearer together and we soon find
ourselves shut in between towering walls OF
green, rising to height Of 400 to 500 feet,
with dense tropical vegetation and graceful
overhanging vines lazily swaying In the
breeze. Here the water seems to be motion
loss. its CLASSY surface rejecting In absolute
perfection Of detail each leaf and flower, and
not sound breaks the silence. The only
signs Of life are the hundreds Of beautiful
white Cara, the birds which furnish Dame
Fashion with the much -desired and ever-expen-
sive aigrette. We passed occasionally ma
tive drifting downstream in his dugout, or
pitpan. as these canoes are called-his cargo
bunch of bananas or q string of fish.
The shores again receded and we entered
the Gulf Of Golfete, pretty body Of water
some ten miles in length and dotted with nu-
merous islands Another narrow channel and
We finally entered the lake proper. A beauti-
ful picture 10 before us--the lovely expanse
Of Npter with its wooded shores rising gradu-
ann the rugged Sierras de las Minas. to
the Huth. and the Santacrus mountains, to
the n6rth, Here stand the picturesque ruips
of the old Spanish fort of San Felipe. built In
1895 by fernando Cortex during his march
from Mexico to Honduras and erected to pro-
tect the approach to the townof Ysabal. which