The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-08-10
A IMAGINARY TRIP
THROUGH THE ROCKIES

hy Minnie Hanlon, Eighth grade
oupil of Ridgeway school. Prof.
I'll. Gamer principal
Having been reared in one of the
EASTERN states where there is no
elevation above the unbroken level
# the prairie for hundreds Of miles.
ond having heard of the grandeur Of
tho mountains of the western states.
decided to take trip of several
months duration through what was
~ me an entirely unknown and un-
imaginable country. but which PROV
Cd 10 be the most wonderfully de
lightful journey that any one need
wish for.
As this is to be a short descrip-
ton of my travels through the Rock
les. I will not stop to say much, eX-
cent in a general way. of the almost
level prairies. great wheat fields, the
high corn. or the mansions of houses
and harms on almost every section of
the central states. | was enraptured
by the sight when crossing the
Great Father of Waters" at St.
Louis. The majesty of that turgid
stream was grand. indeed, as COM
nared with the streams of my home
state. had just time to get a
glimpse OF several large steamers
milling up to the wharves, when we
dashed into utter darkness. Just
IS / began to think that l would
suRocate from the gas and smoke
from the engine, We pulled into the
Great Union Station. when | learned
that we had run for a mile and half
under the business section of the city.
II was my intention to take car
ride over the city, but my ticket did
not permit stop-over. and. as there
are trains in and out of this station
almost every minute of the day, !
learned that l had only half hour
IN which to secure a comfortable seat
IN the Kansas City Limited which
dsshes across the state of corn and
. hogs and mules at the rate of ffty
miles per hour. OF this run, | can
ny nothing, as it was made in the
night time, so | gave myself up to
slumber. | awoke next morning as
We we're running into the great
metropolis noted for its stock yards
and packing houses. Here. all was
hustle and confusion. some hurry
Ing to meet their friends. others TO
late breakfast: others to the in
formation window TO learn about
trains to as many different destina-
tons; while many were hurrying
through the gates to the trains al
ready waiting on the several tracks.
After eating a hearty breakfast.
strolled about watching the great
throngs coming and going. until
after noon when | entered one of
the palace cars of the California Ex-
press for fast ride across the great
Sunflower state. We reached To-
peka after running for two hours
Along the banks of the famous Kaw,
then started for the southwest stop
ping only at the division points.
me next morning. | arose early for
NE purpose Of securing my first
glimpse Of a barren desert as | had
oeen taught to believe western Kan
Is unfit for the habitation of man,
snd known only to the coyote and
JACK rabbit. What was my surprise
% behold land which appeared as
ncn and prosperous as Illinois. The
"rdy pioneers, by their thrift and
snergy have utilized the waters Of
~e Arkansas river and caused the
ouualo and bunch grass to give way
or the great fields Of alfalfa and
oearing orchards.
Inis proved to be perfectly clear
asy and before noon, some one came
'unnlng through the car with the in
'"matlon that we were almost to
"e mountains. Immediately, | was
much excited as any one else be-
~use sight of the Rockies was my
'ae great ambition. We began pre-
ssFng to leave the train at the first
"'p' but after three hours run. we
arrived at La Junta where I was to
AVE the fast train for a slower one
- was going north into the noun
happiest Girl in Lincoln.