Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1923-11-08
Dr.. Robert D. Ransome Continues
Description of Travel From
Baraboo to Los Angeles
FIND INDIANS SOLE
OCCUPANTS OF STORE
Wonders of the Petrified Forest
Described = Grand Canyon of
Colorado Is Reached

DR.. Robert d. Ransome continues
description of the journey being
made by the writer, his wife and
Mrs. E. M. Hoag in motor car to
Los Angeles, as follows:
PART III
Upon arriving at the intersection OF
roads, one way to Las Vegas the other
to Santa Fe, New Mexico via the
scenic route, we were informed that
bridge on the Las Vegas road was
out, that it would be several days
before repaired and that it would be
better to go on by way of Taos-an
Indian town of twenty-six hundred
located on what is known as the
circle drive. We were governed ac-
road. 1t was very good road. grad
ually ascending through the higher
reaches Of foothills. The route lay
in southerly and westerly direction.
To our right were foothills and noun
tain ranges in the distance, to the
eft were lesser foothills and the
vide reaches of rolling territory. This
continued until we came to CHM
maron, little village at the foot of
he more narrow and abrupt ascent
into the upland country.
Ascent More Pronounced
From Cimmaron the ascent was
more pronounced as we travelled on,
the scenery more rugged and wild.
A rain Of the previous day had left
the roads in poor condition but by
use of chains the difficult grades
we're made After a few hours of
winding, rocky road we came to the
foot of a very tortuous, steep road
leading some few hundred feet up
ward and crossing ridge; the rain
/ had been enough to make the clay
slippery.
Car after car tried to make the
grade-some few were successful the
greater majority failed.
Upon arriving on the rim beauti-
.ul Moreno valley-with the lake in
is center--lay surrounded by noun
al ranges. The approach is from the
north and the road circled the valley
excepting on the east.
Again after a few hours of travel
down the valley another approach
as made up into the mountains by
4 winding, steep road, through mag
nif1cient mountain timber to the
crest known as the "Palo Felchado
or Kit Carson pass, an elevation Of
over nine thousand feet. The view
from this summit down into the
many canyons, the ridges in the dis
tance,-alI was wonderful. Following
he road down, we passed many In
dams, some of whom were sheperds
tending flocks Of sheep.
Arrive at Taos
After three hours ride, over rocks,
through brooks, around curves and
through mud holes, we arrived az
Taos for the night. Taos, a magic
name, a village hidden in wonderful
valley never to. be forgotten When
once seen. The trading post and In
liam village are about three miles
apart. The post is the camping sta
eion-here the Indians come to trade
The Indian women walk or drive in
wagons They look picturesque in their
native garb as one sees them covered
by a white or colored sheet thrown
across the shoulder. This sheet GOV
ers the head and shoulder The
feet and legs are covered by buck
skin shoes and leggins UP to the Z
knees.
The next morning we drove out to
the Indian village by winding road
across two creeks.
Buildings of Adobe
The entrance led down narrow
lane bordered on both sides by cor
rails and cattle pens-a dirty sight
to behold. A little farther on were
buildings Of adobe character one and
two stories. Coming to narrowinT
of the lane little farther on be-
ween two walls, the eye beheld =
different sight. Before us was a
large open square, bordered on three
sides BY the Indian adobe hu.s
come one, two, three and several four
f~ostinned on Page a.