The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1917-12-06

Red Cliff We saw the Mount of the
Holy Cross, which got its name be-
cause there is snow the year round
on top Of this mountain-that is in
the shape of cross. After leaving
Passado we went through tunnel
half mile long at the crest of Ten
nessee Pass, 10,240 feet aloft, though
the Pacific Slope was changed for the
Atlantic. This is the top of the Con-
tinental Divide. At Malta, to the
north of us, was seen Mt. Massine,
14,424 feet, the highest peak in the
State of Colorado. At Malta we saw
the beginning of the great Arkansas
river, which was followed for $50
miles to Pueblo. At Texas Creek, we
came into the beginning of the Grand
Canyon, of the Arkansas. An obser-
walton car was attached here. This
Canyon is ten miles long, and follows
the Arkansas river from the high
country to the lower. There is scarce
space between wall and river for the
single track. The narrowest passage
is called the Royal Gorge. At one
point-the Hanging Bridge-the
width is but ten yards, and the road
bed has been built out over the water.
The river boils madly through; the en-
gine sways now to the right, now to
the left, dragging the train. The red
granite walls, sparkling with mica,
tower aloft on either hand, 2,627 feet,
the sky is thread, almost lost from
view by the jagged ramparts.
After passing Florence there were
seen magnificent farms and orchards.
This town boasts of large oil re-
finery. Finally we passed through
Pueblo, then on to Colorado Springs,
where we got on the street car and
went out to Maniton.
The population of Maniton is 357.
This town is called the Saratoga of
the West. 1t is at the entrance of the
Garden of the Gods. There are num-
erous mineral springs and such Won
ders to be seen as the Cave Of the
Winds, Cheyenne Canyon, and the
world famous Pixies Peak. Pixies
Peak was discovered by Major Zobu-
lon M. Pike on November 13, 1906.
This peak, which is 14,109 feet high,
is reached by what is called the Cog
Wheel Road. The coaches proceed
the locomotives on the ascent, and
follow them in the descent, thus being
always protected by the latter Pixies
Peak is divided into fiyN zones. The
Austral zone, the Transition zone,
where there are numerous trees and
shrubs; Canadian zone and Hudsonian
zone, also have trees and shrubbery,
but are smaller as the summit of the
peak is neared. Lastly, there is the
Alpine zone, where there are no trees,
or vegetables, but many small mourn
tain flowers are seen. We passed six
stations on the way up, ara three
water tanks, and a printing office
where our names were taken-and the
paper was sold for ten cents as we
descended. On top of the peak,
the big rocks and snow was
Summit Hotel, which had a steel tow
cr attached where one could go and
get better view of the surrounding
country. Within the hotel was
Western Union office-the highest tel
egraph station in the world. A pecu-
liar feeling went over me as I neared
the top-I was almost deaf-and was
rather dizzy-but after walking
around awhile | soon overcame both.
There have been cases where people
with weak hearts were known to be-
come unconscious.
Our trip through the Cave of Winds
was pleasant one. This cave was
discovered in 1880. There are many
marvellous works of nature to be
seen. In Majestic Hall there were
stalactites and stalagmites
formed from the constant drops of wa
ter which contained certain mineral
matter. In what is known as Cur
tain Hall, there were various colors
to be seen on the big smooth rock,
which resembled curtain.
We went out to the Garden of the
Gods-riding the cunning burros, and
seeing the wonderful formations of
rock. Among the number was the
Three Graces, Mushroom Rocks,
Steamboat Rock and the Balanced
Rock. 1t seems almost impossible
that such rocks could be left standing
up in the middle of the Garden with
out falling over with the least gush of
wind.