The Clio messenger., 1920-04-08
JOURNEY THROUGH THE WEST
South Pasedna, Calf,
March 16, 1920

March 16, 1920
Mr.. Chas. Reed,
| Clio, Mich.
Dear Friend:
Undoubtedly you will be somewhat
surprised to learns that am away out
, in Sunny California and | am very
much surprised also. / left Flint at
1908 a. m. Monday morning March
8. Our train was five hours late at
Chicago so that has put me about
day behind in getting here.
However, | was very fortunate in
getting sleeper. Had a whole sec
tion to myself clear through to Will
liams, Arizona. l came over the
Sante Fe. Arrived at Williams Thurs
day at IL 10 a. m. on time. | took
side trip from there to the "Grand
Canyon" which is about sixty miles.
Oh yes! 1 forgot to say that we
passed over the highest point on the
line at Ration, Colorado. We went
through tunnel at that point. Two
huge engines, ahead and one be-
hind the train put us cover the
top" We arrived at the Grand
Canyon" at $3.50 p. m. and got regis
tered at the hotel Ell Lovar, which is
run by the wonderful Harvey Sys-
tenn of the Sante Fe railroad. l simp-
ly can't describe the "Grand Canyon" 4"
1t is over 200 miles long with an
average width of ~ miles and a
yawning chasm thousands of felt
deep carved from the solid rocks.
Colors are beyond imagination.
took what they call the "Run Drive"
before supper-about thirteen miles.
Got up early the next morning and
went with a party Of eight other
tourists and guide down to the river
on mule back on what is called the
bright Angel Trail"
This trail is about four feet wide
and you drop about 1900 feet in the
first mile. My mules name was
Maude and when we got little be-
hind the others insisted on trotting.
On one side it was down, down to
-or farther-on the other, Just
as far up. oh! Glory! But my poor
heart suffered. But you have to CO.
you can't turn back. About half way
down is a resting spot with cottages.
We rested here about 20 minutes
then the guide cries "all go" and we
mounted our steeds for another long
pull or rather slide to the river. On
the last half there is one part of the
; trail so steep and cork screwing that
. they all have to dsmount and walk
; We arrived at the river all 0. K. al
| noon where we had a fine lunch
which was prepared at the hotel
and carried in individual paper boxes
by the guide, slung across the bacl
of his mule. The river is raging
torrent 800 feet wide and 40 fee
deep.
Only two men have ever navigate,
I this gorge without loss of life in THE
e party. We rested about an hour thei
the guide cry again "all go" and w,
= are off on the back trail. 1t take
$ about hours to make the rount
trip. There were in the party /;
Lord and Lady, somebody from
England, and men and women from
all classes. We all looked alike on th'
mules. We arrived back at the toI
; about five o'clock p. M, tired K
death and so were the poor animals
These animals are certainly wonder
; full creatures. They have to be espec
2 tally trained for this trip. One o.
them has been up and down thi
trail for the past IA years.
1t has been nearly week sine,
this trip and / sure am sore il
'spots" yet. You can just imagine
how sore a thin person like me woulc
get riding a mule for hours. | hop,
/ am not firing you but the Crane
Canyon is one Of the great wonder
of the world.
My trip from there the rest of tn,
way here has been tremendously in
teresting. Hundreds of miles o.
mountainous desert then suddenly
you come to San Bernardon an
from there on miles and miles ot
orange and lemon orchards anC
grape vineyards. ] have not seer
| much yet as l have been here but {
/ few days but this country seems tC
be one great park.
The rainy season is about over anC
, they tell me that today is about the
coldest of the year. 1t is like a chill.
ly day in April at home.
l can't tell you more now as | sale
| have hardly got a glimpse of il
yet. Mount Wilson and Lowe, car
see from the window where | am
writing. / hope to go to the top OF
, Mount Lowe in day or two.
My sisters and niece's family are
all well and very happy
If you think this will be interes-
ing enough for news for the Mes
senger you have my permission to
print same. With kindest regards to
yourself and family and all my old
friends of Clio and vicinity, | am
Yours truly,
II. +. Bodine.
; p. s. will be home sometime along