Mexico weekly ledger., 1915-03-18

feet to the hundred, so it has no steep
inelines, but in its effort TO reach the
summit, makes almost continuous
curves, and is called "The Crookedest
Railroad in the World" The little
train of the Mountain Railway, covers
a distance of s 1-5 miles in travelling
to the top of the mountain, during
which time it makes 2S1 curves, the
longest straight piece of track being
but Alb feet. About half way up
the mountain, where the track of the
railroad parallels itself five times
within a distance Of about 800 feet,
is the Double Bow Knot" so named
because the track forms an almost
perfect double bow knot. The train
consists of an engine and two coaches
and is so small that one almost feels
that he is stepping into a play train
of his childhood, but it travels well
and n is thoroughly comfortable.
Upon this ride, one passes thirty
two noted points of interest, of which
| will mention only a few.
Mill Valley is called "The Little
Switzerland" owing to its beautiful
mountain scenery, its dreamy hooks in
the wildwood, its green foliage and
singing brooks.
After leaving Mill Valley, the road
enters a fine forest of Redwood, for
which California is famous, and winds
through the beautiful Blithedale Can
yon, along its ever-flowing creek, fed
by mountain springs. This canyon is
filled with redwoods, oaks, laurels and
madronna trees, making in many
places, ever at this time of the year,
a perfect network of fresh, green
leaves. Marsh's Japanese Village,
with it's quaint Oriental homes, and
rustic features is a pretty spot in this
canyon.
From, here the train travels along
the edges of grand old canyons, and
looking down below us, we could see
the t~ortuous windings of the serpen-
tine road over which we had just come.
As the train crosses over Slide Gulch
and through Mckinley Cut, Mt, Dia-
bio, as well as Mt. Hamilton with its
Lick Observatory can be cen The
Santa Cruz Mountains and Mt. st.
Helena, with its gray volcanic cone,
can also be seen, and far down, the
F~arallones, a chain Of islands in the
blue Pacific. Two unique peaks, "The
Old Lady of the Mountain" and "The
Lady with the Pompadour, "are great
ly in evidence from the train. "Belve-
dere, the Venice of America" and
S~ausalito, "The Rhine of America"
and in strange contrast to these two
beautiful garden spots, San Quentin,
the State ~Penitentiary, can be seen.
No words can describe the beauties
of this trip, with its varied scenery,
its bright, green shrubbery, and its
excellent marine view. The Mt. Tam
alpais Tavern, at the summit, is a
pretty summer resort and here many
remain over night to see the gorge
GUS sunset and sunrise, the scenic and
color effects of which are sublime.
The name "Tamalpais," is of Span
ish and Indian origin. Years before
the discovery Of gold in California,
the peninsula north of the Golden
Gate was inhabited by a tribe of In
dams known as the "Tamals," and
"Pais," being Spanish for country,
the word "Tamalpais" was formed
meaning Indians Country" The
Home Of the Tamal Indians, which
one passes on this trip is an interest
ing sight.
San Francisco is a city of approx
imately $4,000 inhabitants, has 81
banks and 8 branches, with a total
capital, surplus and undivided profits
of $780, 27, 948. 1t has palatial hotels,
among them being the st. Francis,
the Fairmont and the Palace.
Market and Kearney Streets as well
as others in the business section, are
crowded and are crossed with
difficulty. The jitney business is pros
pering here and will reap a good har-
vest during the Fair. :
The rapid rebuilding of the city,
the earthquake and fire, is a
marvel. 1t is a busy, wide-awake city,
and a pleasant place to visit, its aver
age winter temperature being 81 de-
grees.
With kind regards to Ledger read
ers | remain,
Sincerely,