The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1922-04-11

bad roads. day runs must be increased
There is no way of avoiding deserts
mountain ranges. poor roads or the
great open spaces. The Santa Ft
route follows the railroad closely, ant
here the houses or towns are seldom
more than 20 or 80 miles apart
along the highway. A train must
stop when signaled by any one In the
New Mexican, Arizonan or Californian
deserts. Water must be carried by
every tourist who values his life.
Every summer on the desert trails ig-
norance leads many to deadly peril
from thirst.
Choice Of Trails.
The transcontinental trails are,
counting from the north, south, the
Wonderland, Yellowstone, Lincoln
highway. Midland, National Old
| trails and Southern highway The
Oregon trail, from Oregon down to
Salt Lake City, Pixies Peak, Ocean
to ocean and other trails are found
along the highways, and it is prob
| able that all the blazed trails in the
| country number hundreds.
When the automobile made touring
popular the Yellowstone highway,
from Chicago to the National Park,
was extended to Spokane. Across the
vast prairies, through the mountains,
vacant spaces. splashes of yellow
paint on stones and on fence posts, on
anything that would show and hold
the paint, marked that trail. Stencils
gave the black-and-yellow rival of
the Yellowstone trail its distinction.
The Buffalo Blood trail, dark red
blazes, led across the old Sioux Indian
prairies and little local trail rivalries
stirred the northwestern villages
with grim determination to be on the
trail lines.
AS matter Of fact, the season for
the journey is most important in pick
ing route.
The spring itinerary would be from
eastern states via Chicago, Clinton,
Ia, and then as the weather per-
mits, into Western Nebraska and
southwark through the dry sage and
alkali Of eastern Colorado, and down
into the national old trails after
passing the Kansas wet belt on the
North. But the Ration pass route is
apt to be cold, and it may be dan
gerous If one Is caught on this back
bone of the Rockies by blizzard. even
In May.
Early Summer Best Time.
The easiest transcontinental to
make is probably in the early sum-
mer, after the spring rains. The |
route would be the Lincoln highway
straight through, The Lincoln high
way isn't as good as the Santa Fe I
route, so far as actual road condi-
along it where houses are so miles
apart, where the water is bitter al
kali, where the road is bad. But
start in middle May, q leisurely trip
to the Rockies, Of 20 or 80 days, aud
then 20 days via Cheyenne, Green
River, Salt Lake City, Ely, Nevada, and
Reno New; Carson City or Lake
Tahoe Placerville and over the beau
tiful California roads to San Fran
cisco, camping most of the way, If not
all of the way, includes the wonder of
nesses and the farm land empires Of
the country. The same trip may well
be undertaken in August, but care
must be taken not to run into early
autumn SHOWS of the Sierras be-
yond Reno. Better turn south beyond
Ely into Bakersfield Cal, rather
than take the chance Of being showed
back by the Sierras.
One should not be bound too close
Iy by schedules or trails. Fellow
coming from ones proposed
region give the latest and most re-
liable news.
Avoid Hit or Miss. l.
Generally speaking, it is better to
work into one of the main trails and
stick to it than to travel hit or miss.
No one should undertake a trans
trip without having his
ar put into first-cless order, tires in
rood condition and with proper out
it for campaigning, emergency repairs
md raiment for dust and heat and
.old nights. It is, of course, feasible
o make the whole journey, stopping +
It hotels, ranches and at other ac-
places, but In an emer-
,ency camping outfit will be needed,
md food for all hands In case of
breakdown 20 miles out In desert
II wilderness. should be provided
East Of the Mississippi It Is feasible
@ travel at 10 or 20 miles an hour, but
very driver takes chances who speeds
aster on strange roads.
R,t tbe way is blaZed and the
driver can follow any OF the
trails from coast to ,
oast by watching the painted signs
i good spotlight will enable him to :
ravel night or day, and if Judgment
5 used car can be driven across at a
otal cost of from $75 to $3.50 a week,
otal expenses. AutomObos do it for