Ashland weekly tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1919-1924, 1921-06-01

q
tail on the up grade climb helping
their wind" materially.
The air was crisp and snappy with
but little sun penetrating the heavy
timber along the trail. Near the
summit the party passed through IS
inches of snow but pushed on, drop
ping over the summit at a clip OF
little better than three miles an
hour Looking down 1000 feet be-
low could be seen tie little Ranger
station at the cave entrance with Old
Glory waving gently In the breeze
The time on the 10 mile trail was
four hours. Forest Ranger Rowley,
government guide, welcomed the
party into his cabin and showed them
every courtesy in preparing for the
trip into the caves. Everyone was
required to sign the government reg
lister before entering the caves.
A rest and lunch then the wonders
OF the caves. The host, Mr.. Rowley
who has been the genial guide at the
caves for twelve years, Mr.. Kincaid
the veteran guide who for thirty-five
years has been enjoying the wonders
of this spot. and the two younger
guides. Johnny Kincaid and CLAY
Sparlin escorted the party in its ex.
ploration OF the mysteries OF the in
terror OF the mountains. More thar
three miles of these wonders were ar.
rdnged for the amazed explorer.
After lunch everyone was outfit
ted with koveralls and flash light
Entering the caves at the lower leve
their worries just started as Mis-
Troutman's head was continually
connecting with the roof OF the cave
and insisted that the atmosphere wa
studded with stars, white GlenI
Simpson thought the walls moved
closer together just as he tried t
crawl through an opening meant fo
Miss Beaver.
Miss Wattcnbarger was all excited
abort The place called "Paradis
Found" DR.. Cranaall sat upon tn,
Devils Back Bone" until all hat
entered the "Pearly Gates" Bebl
and Farar heard of "Kincaid's Dane
Hall" but were disappointed whel
they found their feet not equipe,
like flies. Professor Wilson coult
not understand why one OF the ele
ments was discussed so frequently
although the Ayre was very good il
the caves t?)
The entire circuit of the most in
teresting rooms was made within
hours, horses We're saddled and tn,
return trip started, reaching caml
at dusk. After eating some of JohI
Riggs Famous" Mulligan. the bon
fire was started and everyone set
tied down and was entertained b,
stories told by Ranger Kincaid an,
his assistants, readings by Hiss Vert
-and Ethel Powell. songs, by Misses
Bay, Anderson. Thatcher and tn
crowd.
The return trip to camp seemed t
! be spent in meditation and thounghI
full conversation. The camp fire pos
sessed mystic influence which bar
ished fatigue and soreness as tn
party sat In its glow until late q
night listening to songs and storie
by the veteran guide of the Josephn
Caves. Mr.. Kincaid. When Mr.. Kir
caid would tire the members of tn
party would sing or recite or tell
story. Strange to the uninitiated /
the fact that all the songs and storie
bore the stamp of seriousness an,
the highest and deepest emotions AM
feelings of life.
u For anyone who loves the grea
outdoors, this trip to Josephin,
Caves is one of the very best Oregon
has to- offer. One thousand peopl,
visited them last season and at least
sixteen hundred people are expected
to see them this year.
The following members OF the
League composed the party: Mes
danes Burrows, Kltto, the Misses
Nellie Beaver, Winifred Spencer
Elsie Ayre, Myrtle Farrar, Isabelle
Wattenbarger, Mabel Bay, Beatrice
Gunther, Jean Anderson, Gertrude
Wertz, Ethel Powell, Hazel Bruner
Jessie Thatcher, Hazel Powell. Es-
ther Troutman. Gala Blegel, Ethel
Reed and the Messrs. John Rigg,
Blankenship, Glenn Simpson. Gerald
Gahther, ElmOre, Roy Bebb, Ray