The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1911-05-26

NN7NA Inc world is 1aSt 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-a 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 opaned up with wonderful rapidity by the
network Of railroads that are spreading
throughout the five beautiful republics of Cen
trail America. More than a land of promise
to the archaeologist, who has here vast
field for research wherein to unrayel the mys-
terry which surrounds the history of the an
Gent American civilization and throw some
light upon the origin of the people whose won
aerfus works evidenced in the ruins of
prehistoric cities found hidden in dense trop-
ical forests land of beautiful realities to
even the ordinary tourist, who finds easily
accessible a 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 three days delightful sail
on the Gulf of Mexico and along the coast of
British Honduras. The fine new ships of the
United Fruit company give every luxury and
comfort of ocean travel, and Guatemala in
the very near future, will become the Mecca
OIL those desiring to escape the cold and gloom
Oh 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
lantlc coast; Amatitlan, on the Guatemala
Central railroad not far from Guatenoo1o
City, and Atitlan, tucked away in the noun.
tains near the Pacific coast-there is small
cnoice. Differing so widely, each in its wav is
perfect, characteristic of its location and oil,
mate. 'ii
Upon our arrival at Puerto Barr;os MO
ciuaeo 10 visit Lake Yzabal before going Nm
10 the City OF Guatemala After one ntobt -
resi- therefore, we boarded the IittIo 80,
boat which carried us out from the land,oa,'1,
pay' snort distance across the Gu,f of
uque and along the shore line whore ,uo Ina,
palms stirred lazily in the perfumed hnoel
10 Livingston. This town is picturaso,.1,7'
situated on bluff at the mouth of the d.
vi sweet river. new hotel with
comfortable rooms and excellent cuisino -
lately been opened here. and do,, mas
may De well spent enjoying the MANY un,s.'"1
scenes In this quaint little town.
From the porch of the Hotel Rio D,,,o
look down through a maze of 81, We
across the matched roofs of tho tow D.. 80
sparhlhg waters of the bay where the Car;bs
Dart back and forth in graceful canoas II
hneehng posture and with only the noe of
paddle, they skim across the water u;th ~
credioie speed The air is heavy with the
scent OF jasmine and gardenias; the CLEAN
u oranges ana the tiny golden balls of the
ouine meet tne eye at every turn, and tow
ering above all the great spreading brancba.
OF the wonderful breadfruit tree.
Lake Yzabal lies about so miles inland o,d
regular line of steamers ply between Idv.
Insston ana Pansoz, in the interior on the
roiochlc river. We did not however. avail
ourselves Of this usual means of Transports.
uon, having had launch placed at orr dis.
posal. 0- Ni0
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
rarfamed Saguenay. By some. terrible con-
Vuislon OF nature, the mountains have been
rent asunder and through picturesque can.
yons ana gorges this lovely river wends it's
maJesuc course to the sea. The shores gradu-
ally draw nearer together and we soon find
ourselves smut In between towering walls of
green, rising to a height Of 400 to 500 feet.
with dense tropical vegetation and graceful
oVerhang1ng vines lazily swaying in the
breeze. Here the water seems to be notion
less, It's 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 a ma
i've drifting downstream in his dugout, or
pitpan, as these canoes are called-his cargo
bunch Of bananas or string of fish,
The shores again receded and we entered
the Gulf Of Golfete, a 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-
full picture is before us-the lovely expanse
OF water with its wooded shores rising gradu-
ally to the rugged Sierras de las Minas, to
the south. and the Santacruz mountains, to
the north. Here stand the picturesque ruins
of the old Spanish fort Of San Felipe, built in
1926 by fernando Cortez during his march
from Mexico to Honduras and erected to pro-
fanf fho aaola4 4la>E