Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-07-12

mer resort proprietor IN tne
world. The national parks that
~ belong to the United States
and are for the enjoyment OF
the people have q combined area al
most half as great as that of switzer-
land. Within their boundaries may be
found every attraction that Switzer-
land has to offer and many other
scenic maryels such as no other coun-
trySin the world affords There are
giant glaciers, snow-capped mountains
that are as hard to climb as Mont
Blanc or the Matterhorn, great for
ests. lakes and mighty rivers, water
falls more than twice as high as the
Metropolitan tower. geysers that spout
a thousand feet In air, huge caverns
in which a city might be hid, big trees
that were forest monarchs before the
Pyramids we're planned. titanic
chasms--the list of attractions in Un-
Gle Sans summer resorts is endless.
Many Of them are unique.
Many Of these national Fairgrounds
are In the empire of the west. The
greatest OF them are easy of access.
Year by year the number Of those that
can be reached by the railway or by
the trolley Is growing. A generation
or so from now. when the United
States west of the Missouri is more
thickIy populated, these breathing
spots will occupy the same relation to
the country at large that Central.
Bronx and Van Cortland parks and the
other open spaces In New York bear
70 the metropolis. They VIII be sum-
mer recreation grounds to which mill
ions win flock. They are so large that
for centuries to come they are not
likely to be overcrowded.
The Yosemite National park. In
California. is $50 miles from San Fran
cisco as the crow flies. II is not pos
sible as yet to trolley thither from the
Golden Gate. but It may be within the
next few years. Already a stage line
leading to its boundary has beep paral-
leled by an electric railroad. The
Yosemite park Is In the heart of the
Sierra Nevada mountains. Originally
At was fifteen miles in length and "one
mile back from the main edge OF the
precipice on each side OF the valley,
but the park in its entirety now Gov
ers domain thirty-six by forty-eight
miles.
Like Vast Hall.
Crossing the threshold of the great
valley of the Yosemite Is like stepping
into some vast house or hall carved
out Of the mountain. One passes sud
denly into tranquil. restful region
that is enhanced by the power and
grandeur that encompasses II. The
picture OF sunny glades and falls o.
lucid water Is set In an enormous
granite frame three or four thousand
feet high. ornamented with domes ant
spires and peaks that are still higher
The Grand Canyon Of the Yosemite d
a sublimity Of different order. Com
ing from the petrihed forest with III
trunks Of thousands Of gigantic treei
or tree ferns that grew millions o
years ago. one gazes down upon some
thing that Is unlike anything eve
known upon the earth. II seems Xix;
a vision of some strange. colossal cit.
carved out of granite that has beer
uncovered from the depth Of geologi,
time. There Is wilderness of temple
like forms and monumental remains
alcoves and amphitheaters and nobl,
architectural profles that deligh
while they bewilder the eye. Count
less waterfalls futter like lace agains
the granite walls.
The frst leap OF the falls of tn,
Yosemite Is 1000 feet, more thar
twice the distance Of the gflded dom,
Of the Metropolitan tower from Ii,
earth below. The next leap is 400 fee
and the last 900. At the bottom tn
wster falls in spray Ike an endles
summer shower. Imagine the Hudson
river emptied Of its water for seven o
eight miles from its mouth and deer
ened 5000 feet or more. Then fame,
the sides nearly vertical. with snow
white waterfalls fluttering agains
them here and there. granite rocks Il
spires and domes planted alons tn
rim. and landscape OF groves an
glades with still. clear winding waite
at the bottom and you will have a
adequate conception OF the Yosemit
as it is possible TO get without seeinl
H.
Several thousand persons camp 4
this enchanted valley every summer
Its floor is nearly level-not chao
of fallen rocks. More than 3.000 acre
are meadows and pasture. Trees an
groves make it natural park. Stag
lines and an electric line run from tn
terminus of the railroad and there ar
stage lines through the park. tn
tourist season is from May l to NJ
vember ]. but the park is aecessihl