The Coconino sun., 1916-02-18
FLAGSTAFF THE CENTER OF
 MANY SCENIC WONDERS
GA paper by Mrs. T. c. Frier read be- fore the Federated Womans Club
 at Tucson.)

lt lS dIl lllpOooluiiiIy to give d Sd~ tisfactory description of the country surrounding Flagstaff in the short space of time allotted for this paper.
 Many famous writers have endeav- ored to describe the scenery; painters have tried to adequately put the won derful colors on canvas, while many noted scientists visit our section every year delving into natures mysteries as they are found scattered with a lavish hand over the large area sur rounding Flagstaff. The great pine forests, part of the greatest conti nuous forest belt in the United States, if not in the world, is not least in it's picturesque beauty or actual monetary value. The beautiful drives through the pines, through the rolling, ever changing hilly country, is alone worth visiting. The San Francisco Peaks, the highest in the southwest, have been the theme of many story and the background for many beautiful paintings. I am told that soon a scenic road may be built to the top of them, nearly 13,O00 feet, where view of least five different states may be obtained with the naked eye. During the past year over 4,500 people have visited the ancient cliff dwelling ruins east of Flagstaff, which place has be- come of so much historic interest that President Wilson set it aside last No vember as National Monument to be permanently preserved under the care of the government. Walnut Canyon, where this ancient city, of which time has no record, is situated, is over 800 feet in depth, surrounded with pine and wooded growth. In any other locality, it in itself, would attract marked attention. There are the ice caves. Can you imagine going down ten feet into a rocky opening from a country surrounded by pure lava, crusted, creased and glass-like, where the hot winds of summer are blowing, and, find hugh chunks of ice, cold air and icicles hanging over your head? It is another freak of mother nature; one only of many that surround us in our Flagstaff home The lava beds cover a large area, and are supposed to be the most recent results of vol canic eruption in the Rocky Mountain region. Near them is an extinct crater called Sunset Mountain" which throughout daylight hours throws off the colors of an evening sunset, peculiarity from which it received it's name.
 Oak Creek is another point of in terest that has been famous among trout fishermen from all parts of the state, but aside from this it is one of natures most beautiful creations. It is 1900 feet deep with solid varicol- ored walls standing guard over the little stream that is fed from cool springs, bubbling out of it's gaunt walls--a place where ferns, flowers and moss provide color scheme that artists can not justly reproduce.
 presume that many of you have heard of the Grand Canyon. It has been mentioned so frequently that there is no need of my attempting to describe it to you in a few moments, but in any event, it is long, large, wide and deep-so deep that the mountains scattered around in it look like little hills. It is really so large that many people from all over the world go to see it; though, l regret to say, that have heard friends in Flag staff who have lived there for twenty years, or more, say. they have never had time to go out to see the Can yon." Of course, like lots of people, they know it would not be moved soon, and concluded that they would look into it later.
 ASlut HUH luc ldCJ lilStI we WHU live in Flagstaff believe we have a most ideal summer climate, and are surrounded with so many scenic points of interest, there are many other things we feel justly proud of.
 The Lowell Observatory, the largest and most noted institution of it's kind in the west, is located in Flagstaff, directed by Dr. Percival Lowell. pr. Lowell through the instrumentality of this big observatory has convinced astronomers that the planet Mars is inhabited and by photographs taken has shown scientists canals that were constructed. Other discoveries have been made by the institution that has made it one of the very foremost in stitutions of the kind in the world to- day. It has been visited by the great est astronomers of the world, and ii is quoted the world over as authority on it's special research work.