New Britain herald., 1917-04-30


 mostly dirt roads and for many miles we found the riding more or less un- comfortable, for in the construction of these roads, all the surplus dirt is placed in the center, forming a ridge so high that one almost needs be contortionist in order to sit right side up. Our next stopping place was planned for Colby, Kan., but late that afternoon we encountered a snow storm. At times the wind blew so hard we could scarcely see any dis tance ahead and on reaching the small town of Quinter, 45O inhabitants) we found small country hotel and as crude as 1t was we were glad to accept its hospitality. On entering the "of- hce". which was a large room, we were greeted by the proprietor and a warm fire. In corner of the room we found "a wooden sink, beside which was large stone jar with faucet, containing water, a tin basin, soap and roller towel completed the outfit. There was an opening through the sink where the waste water found its way into wooden pail In the center of the room was a large stove which con- stunned a lot of soft coal which pro- duced a lot of heat which our host seemed to enjoy. Wooden chairs. a small counter and few coat and hat hooks completed the office furnishings. This room was combination office, parlor and living room and we were soon made to feel at home. At daylight next morning the proprietor called us and left a pitcher of warm water at our door, also a towel, as he prom | ised to do the night before.
 Our next night was passed in a
 
 Goodland. Here the hotel accommo-
 dations were quite modern, the food excellent. The following morning we started early for Colorado Springs. We | soon came into full view of Pike's Peak, which sesmed but a short dis | tance away, but which proved to be many miles. This was a long drive for | 8 day, but ns the country was quite l level and the roads for most part l good, we seemed to shorten the dis l tance by speeding up. Just about l dusk we came to a small knoll which we could not see over, and at that 1 particular time we seemed to be nov ing slowly, and on reaching the ridge | we came upon a snow drift and 1 stopped rather suddenly. While the ! wheels of the auto, still revolved. This | was case of get out and-get busy. 1 After using shovel quite vigorously, l and some pushing, the car began to move and we soon reached bare ground a few yards away. While talk ing this needed exercise CD we were l treated to the dismal yell of the coy- 1 ote, something We were unaccustomed 1 to hear at home in the east. Our stay at Colorado Springs lasted several ] days and we visited the wonderful | works of Nature in and about. the mountains also we visited the Printers 1 home, which is the greatest institution l of it's kind in this country. From Col | orado Springs our route was directly | south and the days run brought us to l La Junta, Colo., where we spent the l night. About twenty miles from Trini- l dad, Colo, which was our next stop, l we began to climb the mountains to l the top of Raton Pass, known as the | Continental Divide. At the summit 1 (nearly 5000 feet high), a most won- l derfu1 view of the snow-capped peaks l could be seen to the north and west. We crossed the Colorado-New Mexico
 state line at an elevation of 8,79O feet. The road over this Pass was built by l convict labor and is well graded, but
 winding. Another day brought us Into
 Santa Fe, N. M. This is quaint old
 town with its narrow streets, some of
 which are crooked and resemble a
 lane. It Is very interesting place and
 has the oldest house in the United
 States which was built in 153O, an old | cathedral and the Spanish governors
 palace, also very old adobe building | used as a museum and contains hun
 dreds of articles of historic value many
 years old. A picturesque plaza, near
 which are seen Indians peddling wood,
 which is carried on the backs of bur-