The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-10-12

is mostly desert lands and occupies
all of the western border OF ART
IONA.
Two days more took us through
| Ashford, Williams and other towns
| to Grand canyon. Here we located in
a tourist camp among the pines.
The next two days we're given over
10 sightseeing and STUDY OF ma
lures most wonderful works. Stand
ing on the rim of the great canyon
and looking away across the sunken
river. we see the other rim, l 3 miles
away; looking down, the muddy
river. could Il be seen. is 5000 feet
below the rim. The waters OF this
stream have been wearing away the
soils and rocks OF this mighty ditch
for untold ages; and its effect on
the country below will be mentioned
later on.
Early In the morning We started
for a hike down Bright Angel
trail, the ony inlet or outlet to the
canyon. The trail is so narrow and
steep and crooked that one feels
safer on foot than on a sure-footed
mule. Four thousand feet below.
and nearly four miles by trail is the
10Y nOuoC aAd tCotthh RAa1CF
Hiking on two miles farther. over
an undulating plateau, we arrived
at the rim OF the river and looking
down 1000 feet more. the waters OF
the Colorado are seen.
Retracing our steps up the hair
pin way. the ~ mile-hike required
10 hours OF the day and they were
we'll spent. Notwithstanding sore toes,
bruised heels and tired muscles.
The second day was spent in driy-
ing up and down the rim OF the can
son. Mere words fail to express the
grandeur aud beauty o fthis won
derful place.
The third day the trip was made
10 Flagstaff-the highest point in
Arizona. In this part OF the state
are vast forests OF pine and the lum-
bering business is extensive. Turn
ing our course south, more for
ests and beautiful lakes we're passed
among the latter, Stoneman's lake is
OF much interest. This is a large
body of water entirely surrounded
by high mountains, making almost
a hidden lake.
In central Arizona remains are
toric cliff dwellers. The first Wis
tied was in what is called Monte
zuma's we'll. This we'll Is thought
to be an extinct crater. now filled
with three acres OF water and very
deep. Eighty feet below its circular
rim at the surface OF the water three |
of these dwellings remain. This well
or fountain flows up from the |
depths. continuous stream of wa
ter which flows out through a crev
ice and irrigates a ranch below. The |
well is privately owned.
Montezuma1 castle. further on, /
is another one OF these dwellinrs.
only more pretentious and difficult |
o reach. In the side OF circular
cliff amost perpendicular. this
dwelling is reached by climbing four
stairways, in all 100 feet from the
ground. In IL are II rooms. and IL
is three stories high. the overhang-
ing rocks forming the roof. The
walls are laid with small stones and
mud; the floors and ceilings OF ce-
dar logs. poles and flaging, and
strange as IL may seem, these tim
bers apparently are as sound as
when placed there by unknown
hands on the upper floor is an ex-
tensive balcony. overlooking the riy-
err and valley below.
Now we hasten on over a dry and
land and gladly enter the
very fertile and beautiful Salt riv-
sr valley. All is changed-cotton
fields, alfalfa fields. green pastures
tilled with blooded stock are seen
IN every bond. Paved roads, running
water. palm trees and shady lanes
greeted the eye at every turn. Phoe-
Xix, the capital. and Tempe, its sub
lrb. are fine places. At Tempe we
ested for a time with some friends
Leaving this favored locality we
we're soon in the desert again: 10
ind some OF the worst roads i'm
Iginable. Axle deep In ruts, holes
md sand. Four miles an hour and
cry fortunate TO get through whole.
Yuma. an old trading post in
'ther days, but now a well-ordered
nd thrifty city, was passed about
oon and we were again in the gold
n state; however. nothing golden
Fss seen until the dreaded sand hills
Fere reached. We have heard OF {
hitting sands in story and in song. {
ut here they are, mountain-high =
nd ever-changing. plank road
as been constructed over these !
Ills. Should a car miss the track
becomes a question about get >
Ing on the road again When the a
lind blows the sand often piles up a
$ much as 10 feet deep. We ex
erienced no trouble in passing over :
be eight-mile stretch OF road.
At night our tent was pitched at Z
i Centre in the center OF imperial h
alley. This basin reaches depth G
{ nearly 200 feet below sea level. ?
nd is another one OF the great q
reaks OF nature. Time was whon
he Gulf OF California ext snded Ear Z
p into the state. but as time went 2
a. the Colorado river deposited jts o
IL from four states and the Grand -
inyon into the gulf In Old Mexico. .
hich deposit formed a barrier n
'aching across the gulf. forming an n
land sea. 30 b. the slow process d
q