The Raymer enterprise. (New Raymer, Weld County, Colo.) 1910-19??, 1919-07-24

hour stop, looking around the city.
Continuing our journey. We went
over small pass, Poncha by name
and into Siguache county. At villa
Grove. a small mountain town, we
were given the best meal we were to
have througout the whole trip.
Chicken. dumplings! and gravy, and
all home cooked by couple OF nice
old ladies. We felt much better. and
started on our journey which would
bring us to Del Norte for the night.
From Villa Grove we drove be-
tween two different ranges, the
Sangue de Cristo (Blood OF Christi
mountains to the left or east. and
the La Garita mountains on the
right or west. The valley between
is known as the San Luis Valley
This valley varies in width from to
rs miles. We went on a straight
road here for the longest distance on
the trip. 56 miles. Del Norte is near
Wind Mountain which we passed
over, and is on the Del Norte and
Rio Grande rivers. II was raining
when we reached here, so several
bathing caps were purchased. After
dinner some climbed nearby peak,
others went on drive and few
took in the movie show, which is in
variably found in even these small
towns. A mineral spring is housed
In the Main Street at Del Norte. and
altho II Is very nauseous at first, one
can become accustomed to its use.
The morning OF the third day did
not break clear. and we had long
drive that day. We went southwest
from Del Norte, going thru South
Fork and following Wolfe Creek.
The San Juan mountains were
straight In the path" but we went
over what is known as Wolfe Greek
or Treasure Pass. On the way to the
pass snow ball fight lent variety
to the program. This Pass is 1910
feet above sea level. Here was
quiet little pool, which sent water
on one side to the Atlantic and to
the Pacific on the west slope. Al
travellers register kept us for a few
minutes, but the weather conditions
did not appear very favorable SO we
hastened on; luckily too. for only
fifteen minutes afterwards, a huge
boulder fell in the road. blockading
passengers behind. Going down
grade on the other side the scenery
was magnificent. the mountains be-
ing covered with thick tall frs and
evergreens. In many places one
could look down 1000 feet and more
on the one side and up the mountains
as far on the other side. The
scenery was as beautiful from the
of thick foliage and trees,
as we we're to see anywhere.
Both afternoons before we mad
been in small mountain showers,
and, Of course, expected one on this
day, but not such one as came
The soil was not sandy thru here
at all, SO the cars began to skid, even
chains not holding them. Skidding
isn't so bad on an Is foot grade with
only little ditch on the side. but
when 1t comts to skidding on mar
row mountain road with deep
yawning canyon below, it Is not so
pleasant an experience as one would |
like. We had perfect confidence in |
the drivers, and had even more four
hours later when we drove into Pa
gosa Springs with some big streams
Of water. Several OF the party, with
the mountain boots, were favored by |
pushing and climbing one long hill. |
We had had nothing but candy and |
sweets to eat since breakfast that |
and the strain Of so much |
scenery, the eventful trip and storm
had made us unusually hungry. The
dining room would not open for an |
hour, so we went out in the rain to
see the town.
Pagosa Springs Is town Of about |
900 and is an old place. II is noted |
for the mineral springs which break
near the outside of the city limits
These springs are wonderful, and
steam can be seen rising from them
any time OF the year, on a hill which |
has been formed by the mineral wa
ter forming calcium substance
The most interesting OF these springs
was one pool about 20 feet in diam
eter The depth Of the pool has been
sounded as far as 1900 feet, without
striking the bottom. The mineral
most prominent is sulphur, which
with the hydrogen from the air,
makes hydrogen sulphide which gives
gives the odor of ripe" or rotten
eggs The water is boiling hot and
Ia hard to drink at first. II Ia mined |