The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-02-14

eneed by train, and the opportunities
we had for beholding Americas grand
est scenery were vastly superior. The
truth lie. railway trip does not afford
such privileges.
The Journey was not lonely. for we
en- countered scores OF parties who
were combining the Joys OF motoring
and camping.-the healthful, nomadio
life in It's most highly developed stage.
with the modern auto instead OF the
prairie schooner of an earlier day
taking their hotel with them"
The Yosemite was our first destina-
ton and 1t is usually regarded suffici-
emit enjoyment for one seasons outing.
Every hour Of our seventy days trip
was brim.ful Of delight. as we toured
four Of our great national Fairgrounds.
Yosemite, with the Big Trees annexed.
Columbia River and Crater Lake Parks
and the Yellowstone. thousand and
one sights, which challenge the imag.
ination along the route made famous
by Lewis and Clark. Ours the happy
experience OF motoring through noun
tain passes and valleys, over fertile
prairies into the nations great forests
of pine and fir. climbing easily to
heights for an outlook over panoramas
once enjoyed only by the eagle.
We left Los Angeles Wednesday,
July II, at 4:30 p. m. and rode fifty
miles up a fine long mountain pass.
Here we spent our first night In an
auto camp, which are generously pro-
vided throughout the West for tour
lists. Little Ben" was our sleeper
n p,,ll y,,o n
hinged back, converting the cushions
into a couch, pillows, blankets, hang
ers and hammocks for clothing, espe-
cially installed electric lights within,
and tarpaulin over all. Imagine the
rest enjoyed in such An aerie. Linger-
ing twilight allowed us sweeping views
over the beautiful valleys beneath us.
We were near enough to others to
annul the lonely; we watched the
silent stars go by" ours a sweet
and dreamless sleep; no wonder morn
ing found us fit and able for the ride
before us. This first camp was typical
of our entire journey. Every night we
drew our full quota of rest, and when
it all ended we were not weary; did
not require a day to recuperate from
our tremendous trip. These auto
pldteS uSSeIFc SEPARATE StOly, ~ III
teresting are they because of their
generous accommodations and the con-
genial fellow-tourists we found.
They are usually near some city or
town and were provided with place
to cook and wood and water, and some
times a night guard, though we never
to stop in private grounds, which was
off4 lar H.
record but most gracious reception.
Whatever else the West may boast,
true hospitality is rank out there, gen.
erosity grown wild; utter strangers
protecting, provisioning. lavishing
kindnesses, in fact, marvellous atten-
lions. Our whole way seems a series
of miraculous friendships. Try a trip
through the regions we traversed if
you want fine favors and proof plenty
against "the world gone bad"
A word about the water supply may
be interesting. Our travelling house"
was furnished with both hot and Geld.
A desert bag was a comfort indeed on
such journey. We watched for op-
portunity to keep it full; some good
mountain spring or where we were
sure the wells were sanitary, this hung
on the car where evaporation could not
take place, kept the water astonishing
ly cool and pleasant, though the bag
was almost constantly exposed to the
broiling sun. Another large vessel of
tin made the water the right heat for !
washing off the dust and CRIME of
travel Diligence each day, as at
home, reduced the toll to minimum.
We were complimented on our tidiness
and neat arrangements. Even so, less
''impedimenta," use the ancient term
advisedly; would have been better
the part of wisdom being to make /!
three piles Of luggage when packing
and leave two piles at home.
Hotels, restaurants and public baths !
were usually in evidence when needed. |
but often our menus were not only
eaten but collected "on the fly" In
crease in weight and prime health |
proved that we Jared sumptuously''
Our auto buffet" contained California |
delicacies which lasted all the way,
orange. apricot and fig marmalades,
grape fruit, lemons and English wal
nuts. Unfriendly to camp cooking we
depended largely on prepared foods,
now easily found at bakeries and deli