Charlevoix county herald., 1921-06-03
From California
To Michigan
Continued from First Page

which was two feet high for protection.
When we reached him, found he had
missed the tnrn and went straight
ahead with the above result. He had
wife and two children with him. None
were hurt but the owner sat near the
car dazed and apparently waiting for
help. From there to Santa Fee where
we saw a fine Indian school. The
streets were narrow and struggling
thro' miles of adobe huts and fine
schools and churches. Santa Fe is one
of the oldest towns in western u. S.
We saw no marking of speed limits
but were amused to see autos speed
ing down the narrow streets aud honk-
ing continually. We had an awkward
experience which might have proved
serious, in fording the Pecos river.
Seeing no other road, but seeing tracks
on the opposite side, we plunged in
and found 215 feet of water OF course en-
CINE was killed. We saw some men up
near the r. r. station. They came to
our assistance and two Mexicans with
teams pulled us out. A V changed
hands. Our carburetor was cleaned
fresh oil put in, spark plugs cleaned
and within l q hours we were on our
way with the Chevrolet going better
than ever. The next morning found
us at the little village of Ration. The
entrance to the Ration Pass. This much
dreaded mountain climb proved enjoy
able. We went up to $3.50 feet where
there was light fall of snow. The
old snow laid on in places. II was
thickly wooded with small pines and
frs. The road was excellent and wide
enough for autos to pass in all places.
AS we reached the summit, we cross
ed the line between New Mexico and
Colorado. Then quickly descended to
Trinidad, where we first saw the Ark
ansas river which came from the rocky
heights bringing health and wealth to
the fields below. We soon began to
see sugar beet factories and evidences
of highly cultivated farms. This was
continued for many miles into western
Kansas. The Arkansas and Kansas
rivers supplying needed irrigation. We
crossed these rivers, also little Colorado
many times sometimes the river beds
being nearly dry. Thro Kansas we
found rolling land interspersed with
with prairies, wheat was the principal
crop and looked fine even in April.
We saw apple blossoms first in New
Mexico We were ferried over Missou-
ri at Glasgow then our troubles began.
When leaving Kansas we crossed the
Missouri twice on account of mistake
in directions but got into Missouri at
last. The mud in Missouri was indeed
worthy of the name, it has been noted
for many years. Suffice to say we
waded thro' it five days and washed it
off at st. Charles. But after leaving
st. Louis behind we found Illinois even
worse and gave the car another bath
in Indiana. We crossed several small
rivers in Missouri. The Illinois and
Wabash later also Tippecanoe, st. Mary
and st. Joseph besides well-known
rivers in Michigan. We found very
good roads in Indiana and Michigan.
Arrived in Barnard weeks and days
after starting and at present are enjoy
ing the green woods and beautiful
lakes of N. Michigan, not least the visit
with friends and relatives. A few sta
tistics-A journey of 3467 miles, gaso-
line, 140 gal. $43.18. Average price 80
and 4-5c, highest price paid SOC and
lowest % 1-2c. have spun out long
story but | assure you have left out
some things to shorten it up.
Sincerely,
Mrs. j. r. Vance.