The Ward County independent., 1922-12-07
Minot, N. D., Nov. 80, 1922.


Editor Ward County independents:
In this letter we shall attempt to
give q few impressions gained during
our tour through Oregon and an in
spcction of the parks of Portland.
The trip from Medford to Portland
over the Pacific Highway is full of
scenic attractions. The highway is
paved for practically the entire
length and takes one over the noun
tain ranges as far as Canyonvllle
where one soon enters the picturesque
valley of the Willamette River. The
mountain roads are real marVels in
their construction. Rarely does the
grade exceed over five per cent and
much of the highway is laid out with
a view of passing through the places
Of maximum scenic attractions. The
mountain slopes are thickly studded
with fine Douglas fir of mammoth size
and the yellow and sugar pine and
the cedar fall but little short of the
fir in height and diameter of bole.
We reached Portland on Friday,
November "a, and on the following
day we were taken for an inspection
of the city park system by Arthur
Nussbaumer, arboriculturist OF the
Portland Park Department. We
were given a luncheon at noon by
Superintendent C. p. Keyser, OF the
Portland parks, E. 7. Mische, park
landscape architect, F. W. Cleator OF
the u. S. Forestry Service and Mr..
Nussbaumer. Mr.. Keyser also show
ed us through the magnificent quar-
ters of the Multnomah Club. In the
afternoon we attended the football
...,.,> b,+,,,,,,, TIM 0romnn Arrir1)-
tural College of Corvallis and WASH
ington State College, resulting in
victory for the former by a score Of
Is to 0. We had the pleasure Of
viewing the bronze equestrian statue
of Col Theodore Roosevelt which was
given to the City of Portland by Dr..
Henry Waldo Coe. The statue occu-
pies a prominent place in one of the
public squares Of Portland and is OF
fine proportion and artistic design.
Minot need we'll feel proud if she Sc
cures the replica Of this statue.
While we were attending a rendi-
ton of the bohemian Girl" at the
City Auditorium on Sunday after
noon we unexpectedly met Mr.. and
Mrs. 0. NJ. Pierce who asked to be
cordially remembered to their many
Minot friends.
On Monday Superintendent Keyser
and Forester Cleator took US for
tour along the Columbia Highway
from Portland to The Dalles. The
highway follows the great gorge of
the Columbia River for almost the
entire trip and affords a maximum OF
scenic attractions Of the highest type.
1t passes a series of waterfalls the
beauty and delicacy Of which cannot
be excelle danywhere in, the United
States. They reach their climax in
the famous Multnomah Falls. The city
of Portland is fully aware of the fu-
ture recreational possibilities afford
ed by the gorge of the Columbia and
is making all possible effort to ac-
quire holdings containing the best
pieces Of scenery. Superintendent
Keyser has vision Of a great Inter-
state Park controlled by Oregon and
Washington for the entire distance,
at least from Portland to The Dalles.
So far as rugged beauty is concerned,
this would excel the Palisades Inter.
state Park of New York and New
Jersey, although there are not as
many facilities for large camps and
picnic places as in the great eastern
park.
The Forestry Service is cooperating
with the city of Portland in preserv-
ing the natural beauty of the Oregon
National Forest and making it ,ac-
cessible to the public. The Oregon
National Forest borders the highway
for probably twenty miles and at
Eagle Greek there are number Of
camping and picnicing facilities pro-
vided. These are under the direction
of Ranger Albert Wiesendanger, who
has well earned reputation through