The Progressive West Virginian. [volume] (Williamson, W. Va.) 1911-1913, 1912-11-07

Ing MS Deans we ourselves were
greedily devouring the scenery. From
our resting place we commanded a
view Of the entire valley below us.
extending from mountain to ocean
about fifty miles long and some thirty
miles wide. There before our eyes
precisely as maplay the towns
and cities that hold the bulk OF the
valleys population. There In the far
corner was Redlands. with San Ber-
nardfno nesting in the lap OF It's par
ent range. Newport marked the west
ern line of our map In the midst
were Riverside. Cotton, Pomona, Co
roma, and the several other enterpris-
Ing towns-a wonderful display and
comprehensive lesson In local geog-
raphy. all from the single viewpoint.
Here. too. 1t was to this place that
we decided to return for our nights
camp. SO we left our donkeys tied to
trees at the edge Of the forest. and
started out with renewed energy to
climb and climb and climb.
Climbed Some More.
"And another locust came and took
another grain of cortland we climb
ed. and climbed and climbed. Then
we climbed some more. The "whews'
came thick and fast now. and 1t GER
tainly seemed like long time be-
tween drinks as the good old south
ern governors once complained. Then.
too, suspect the altitude was begin
ming to affect our more sensible In
stincts, for at the very first sight Of
snow every last one Of us made a
dive for the nearest drift, regardless
Of parched tongues and overheated
bodies and snow pudding was the
popular diet for several minutes.
After a while we determined to
make another dash for the top, and
each taking on sufficient cargo Of
snowballs to last until we should
reach the next drift we tugged on
ward. unlike Peary's noble crew. we
had no gumdrops to stimulate our ac-
tivities.) After walking for some
time, we saw another party Of bold
adventures far ahead, standing in a
group, taking OF their hats and salut-
ing as though they thought they were
discovering something. Twas Badly!
But, humph, it's two to one that that
peak knew where 1t was long before
they reached It.
But ali! the magniicence Of the
outlook! There we we're, right at the
top OF the world-as 1t seemed-and
every direction in which we turned
unfurled a new panorama Looking
northward. we could see the snow
mantled incline dropping down to the
sandy and-at that season of the year
--well-nigh waterless bed Of the Mo-
jave river.
on to the east were the thickly-tim-
bered mountains of the San Bernar-
dino range. the great Arrowhead
standing out conspicuously in the
foreground. Then lifting our gaze. we
plainly discerned the veteran peaks
of San Bernardino and Grayback,
their snow-crowned submits reflect
ing In hues OF delicate pink the rays
OF the evening sun.
10 the south. Mt. San Jacinto's
lofty bluffs marked the setting of Hell.
en- Hunt Jackson's great Indian love
story. While between our elevated
station and that promontory grace
fully reclined the picturesque valley
that harbored our homes spotted In
varying shades Of green by its VII
lagos. orange groves and ranches.
Then to the westward we could see
the rolling foothills extending down
to old ocean. And there was the Pc
CHIC In all her mighty grandeur.
Our descent was comparatively
rapid. and It was not long before we
we're at our rendezvous in the "tall
timbers."