The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-09-23
Through the Yellowstone Park
An Enjoyable Camping Trip.


The second campfire at the Canyon
was small gathering, many going over
to the hotel to hear the concert by the
Shriners' band, and another party at
tending the dance at the Wylie camp.
1t was hard to realize that it was Satur-
day night, as there wasn't even bean
in sight to remind US, and the prospect
of baths was still several days away.
No church bell woke US in the morning,
but we We're out in good season, and the
family and Theodore started off after
breakfast to walk down the road until
the rigs overlook us. 1t proved to be
most interesting walk Woodchucks ga
lore were busy about their daily tasks
along by the roadsides, and were SO
tame that Billie "almost patted" sever
al. Just as we were crossing the Can
yon bridge we spied brown object near
the roadside woods, and soon fine buck
deer poked his antlers out of the bushes
and looked at us. He evidently did not
quite approve, as he made off slowly,
and then as slowly went down the bank
of the steep ravine. Kodak in hand,
Daddy" went down the opposite bank.
Mr.. Deer got scent of him and walked
down the creek bottom, facing us or
the bridge. We certainly enjoyed our
first near and uninterrupted view of
e'rear' game. "Chucks'' and squirrels
ol,,oet sffoo p,,p,aro,1c 70 y,oaptio:,''
and kept us entertained as walked along.
Our coach, with friendly Charlie on the
drivers seat, soon overlook US, how
ever, and we drove on up to the hotel,
where brief stop was made for mailing
cards, ETC. 1t was Billie's FIRST visit to
that wonderful hostelry End he express
ed an in mediate desire to "take off his
things and stay" He attracted quite
little attention in the almost deserted
lobby. Yesterdays guests had gone and
the days guests had not yet arrived. One
of the maids told me they so seldom saw
children that it was quite treat, and
the blase elevator boy condescended to
offer him ride in the "alligator." AL
together it was with bit of reluctance
that we again climbed on board our
coach and were off for Mt. Washburn.
The first part of the climb was not es-
pecially interesting and we were all high
iy entertained by Mrs. Fries story of
How the Baby Elephant got his
Trunk, ?" one of kipling's ''Just So sto-
ries, with its setting on the great,
gray. greenish, Shiny Pocapola river, all
set around with fever trees"
AS we got up bit, and the valley be-
gan to spread out before US we could
hardly keep our eyes from the ever en-
larging view long enough to notice the
wonderful array of wild flowers by the
roadsides. Indian paint brush in all the
shades of red from yermillion to cardi-
nal; forget me-nots, lupins, columbines
and dozen others, all called forth our
admiration. At Dunraven Pass, reach
ed at II o'clock, we halted for lunch,
which had been prepared the previous
night and consisted of most substantial
meat and cheese sandwiches. Water
was rather scarce and our little group
found the ginger ale produced by the
ever thoughtful Messrs. Schwarz most
refreshing. At the Pass-named, by the
way, in honor of Lord Dunraven, who
visited the Park in IA, and wrote most
enthusiastic descriptions of its wonders
our outfit divided, the camp equip
ment going over the pass and down the
lower road, while the passenger rigs
started mp the mountain. The road Ger
tainly would break the proverbia
above 5000 feet altitude) and is fine
piece of engineering. 1t corkscrews up
the side Of the mountain, and looking up
those in the later rigs could see the
others directly above them in tiers.
Some of the men who got out to tighten
the loads took short cuts straight up
over the mountain side gaining the little
rock enclosure almost an hour before US,
but missing a rare sight-a band of noun
tain sheep feeding on a rocky ledge to
the north. What had been beautiful,
bright day began to promise US at least
taste of a storm, and the dark
clouds rolling up rather oDscured the
wonderful view over the tops of
the forests, the lake and the big
cash, that we knew for the wonderful
Canyon, and the other mountain
peaks grouped friendly-wise about
big Washburn. 1t began to get warn
ingly cold, too, as we assembled, and
wraps which had been long neglected
were pulled out and donned. Shortly
after the mile post told US SO miles to
Mt. Washburn" (meaning the summlt)
the writer jumped out, and continued
the ascent on foot. The storm continu-
ed to threaten, and We ali hoped that 1t
would hold off until we could get start
ed down the other side. Our hopes were
in vain, however. When the rigs reach
ed the semi sheltered places near the
summit the drivers wasted no time in
whipping out the curtains and making
all tight before the squall struck. The