The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1914-07-30
HOOD RIVER VIEWS
ARE DESCRIBED

ANE UEOOItIDEU
(The story appearing below was writ
ten for the 0regonisn by A. b. Coul-
ter. an Upper Valley orehardisD.
We were gathered around the cheer
ful fireplace at Cloud Cap Inn after
most delightful trip through the won
derful Hood River valley. The party
consisted Of a party Of young people
from Portland, who, having a few
days vacation and wishing to make
the most Of il, had chosen upon old
Mount Hood as the source of their
pleasure and recreation and inspiration.
A two hours ride on the O-.W. r. &
N. line from Portland brought the par
ty to Hood River, where autos were
waiting for the 20-mile trip to Cloud
Cap Inn, that famous summer resort
on the north slope Of Mount Hood, at
an elevation Of about 5000 feet.
II was the closing days of August
and the hot, enervating atmosphere of
the city gave place 10 the cool, refresh
ing breezes, as the autos gained the
top of the East Side grade, where some
OF the party had their first sight of
the world-famous Hood River orchards,
now bending low with their burden of
fruit. Orchard after orchard was
passed, each seemingly more attractive
than the last. with its load of red Spitz-
enburg. Yellow Newtowns or golden
Ortley.
The earlier work Of the year was fin
ished and the oTchardist appeared to be
marking time waiting for the fruit to
grow, color and nature Here and
there we could see props being placed
under the more heavily laden branches
to prevent possible breaks. Once we
saw an orchardist at work spraying and
we stopped to watch the operation.
The gasoline engine worked incessantly
and great fan-shaped clouds of spray
were thrown into every part of the
tree, leaving fruit, foliage and branch
dripping wet. The orchardist explained
that he had sprayed as usual in the
spring, but that scab was beginning tC
show on his 0rtleys and late spray
ing might control it.
From east to west, as far as the eve
could see, the valley appeared one vast
orchard, shut in on all sides by noun.
tains. In the distance stood snow clad
Hood, while nearer, ahead of US, lay
the apparently impossible foothills, the
sight of which carried our thoughts
back to the stories of early days, wher
these same hills were lighted by the
signal fires of the red men or were the
hiding places of robbers, bold and dar'
ing. We knew, of course, there was 6
pass in the foothills to the upper coun
try. but so shut in did we seem to be
that we began to speculate upon where
there could possibly be an opening.
After a time the road branched, the
one to the right, we were told, leading
to the steep grade known as Booth Hill
the old stage road of pioneer days. Bu
we continued straight ahead, past al
orchard owned by the baseball evangel
ist, Billy Sunday, known to fame Of
notoriety, according to ones viewpoint
Thence the road entered roughel
country following Neal Creek, littli
mountain stream that dashed in anC
out, now hidden by the dense under
growth, now dancing in the sunligh
and always hugging closely the hill
beyond which lay the Upper Valley. |
reminded us of Tennyson's 'lht
Brook.
81 wind about and in and out,
With here a blossom sailing,
And here and there lusty trout,
And here and there grayling.
Along the creek we planned on en-
loving an hour rest in the welcOm
shade of the overhanging trees. Amer
leans are said to eat on every possibl
occasion; and, as matter of course
) we had with us a lunch of goOdly pre-
portions. 1t was but the work of
moment to arrange stones on which
place the coffee pot, gather some DIR
wood and start the coffee boiling.
The cloth was spread on a grass
knoll, beside the stream and soon tn
aroma of coffee penetrated the all
whetting our already keen appetite'
No second invitation was necessary
gather us all around the "festiv
board" to share the pickles. sanC
wiches, salad coffee and all the otht
good things that 90 to make up picn
lunch.
And then that delicious care fre,
satisfied feeling that comes after sue
lunch, when one feels at peace wit
himself and the whole world PerhaI
it was the full stomach, or the co..
shade at noontide or maybe nature
sweet music:
"Music that gentler on the spirit lies
Than tired eyeids upon tired eyes. -
that combined to complete our happ
ness. The sun filtered through Il
trees, making a contrast of ever cham
| ing lights and shadows. ConversatiC
had given way to the droning of Il
bees, the occasional call of bird, Il
/ sound of running water music thi
/ lulIed us into semi-consciousness; AM
II like the Lotus Eaters, we felt
"How sweet it were hearing the dow
II ward stream,
With half shut eyes, ever to seem
Falling asleep, in a bali dream.
1t may have been hours we thus e
H joyed life, it may have been ages,
Indifferent to, and unconscious of, Il
passing of time were we. In reality
II was but a short time before the driv,
II rudely interrupted our dreams, an
Il quite reluctantly we entered the au
for the second stage of our trip.
For few miles the road continue
to follow the hill on one side and Il
i stream on the other, winding in al
II out through the dense vegetation, unt
II nfaly it emerged into the open. v
II had made the passive were in Il
II Upper Valley. But a few miles di
/ tant stood Mount Hood in all its sple
II dor, clothed to the very bottom in
Il robe of snow. Quite leisurely we rot
II on and up with no desire to break spe,
H records where all about US was ne
II and beautiful and inviting to the ey
II Now we passed young orchards ju
H set out (the Upper Valley is new
III b.ra n rarrb bouee cat in CLEARING n