Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-02-13
LETTER FROM Mr.. PENLEY.

Editor Democrat
1t might be of interest to the readers
of the Oxford Democrat to describe some
Of the places of interest on my trip from
Maine to Oregon. There is nothing
much out OF the ordinary as far as
natural scenery is concerned until one
reaches Colorado, where the backbone OF
the continent is crossed. All Of the
trans continental lines from the lakes to
the Pacific either 20 to the north or
south of Colorado in order to escape
climbing the gigantic ridges Of the
Rockies. But the Denver and Rio
Grande, from Pueblo, Colorado, to Salt
Lake City, plunges into the very midst
of the widest and grandest portions of
the entire Rocky Mountain Range. A
few miles beyond Canyon City the train
enters the Royal Gorge, or the Grand
Canyon of the Arkansas River. The
railroad, by a marvel of engineering
enterprise and dint Of much blasting and
ballasting, has made it q thoroughfare
renowned the world over. There is
scarce space between wall and river for
the single track. The red granite and
gneiss walls, sparkling with mica, tower
aloft on either side, 5000 feet higb; tho
sky is obliterated by the jagged rocks, 80
that 1t appears as a mere thread over
head. At one point, the Hanging
Bridge, the width is but ten yards, and
the road bed has been built out over the
water. There being no room for abut-
ments, the bridge is hung from steel
Orders supported on the two walls of
the canyon. Bands of mountain sheep
are seen almost daily up on the high
cliffs.
About eighty miles beyond the Royal
Gorge the town of Salida is reached,
where change Is made to the narrow
gauge road for the climb over the world
famous Marshall Pass, II 900 feet above
sea-level, or nearly mile higher than
Mt. Washington. The train climbs in
great billowy circles up over the pass,
and in many places there are five differ
ent grades in sight, the top one being
over 5000 feet above the grade at the
bottom. The summit ia over two miles
above sea level, and is part of the
Continental Divide, the watershed be-
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific.
Within a stones throw of each other are
the sources of the Arkansas and the
Gunnison Rivers. The former, with its
flows to the Gulf of Mexico,
the latter connects with the Grand and
Colorado Rivers and flows into the
Pacific.
The train rapidly descends, and in a
few miles plunges into the Black Can
yon Of the Gunnison, the rival Of the
Royal Gorge. The canyon walls reach q
height of $500 feet, and are characterized
by dark, reddish brown color. Two
we'll known features are Chipeta Falls
which burst out high upon the wall Of
the canyon, and Curecanti Needle, an
isolated needle spire over 5000 feet In
height.
Near the town Of Cerro Summit, at the
entrance of the Uncompaghre Valley,
the road passes the vast irrigation works
Of the Gunnison tunnel project put
through by the United States govern
ment reclamation service. The tunnel,
nearly six miles in length, taps the Gun
uison River in the Black Canyon, and
diverts the waters into the vast Uncom-
paghre Valley.
At Grand Junction, the metropolis OF
western Colorado, we change to the
main line of the Denver and Rio Grande,
and continue westward through the very
land of the Mormons, whose
industry and thrift are seen on every
hand. At Salt Lake, the City OF the
Saints, are very many interesting sights,
among which are the Temple, Taberua-
Gle and great Assembly Hall. Adjacent
TO the Temple Square ia the Beehive and
the Lion, House, formerly the quarters OF
Brigham Young, the Prophet. The city
Borders on Great Salt Lake, whore there
are many pleasure and bathing resorts.
Thirty miles beyond, Ogden 10 reached,
where we change to the Oregon Short
Line for the last leg Of the trans-conti-
mental journey.
Some very interesting sights are to be
seen along the Columbia River, namely
Falls, $40 feet high, Bridal
Veil Falls, Cape Horn and the Pillars of
Hercules. About thirty miles farther
west, the Willamette River is crossed
and we enter Portland, Oregon, one OF
the most rapidly growing cities in
America.
1 forgot to state that the Royal Gorge
is 80 miles In length, and the Black
Canyon Is 90 miles. Flowers are In
bloom in the open gardens here in Nc
Minnville.
c. FREELAND PENLEY.