Seeing the West: Suggestions for the Westbound Traveller — John Shaqi
Seeing the West: Suggestions for the Westbound TravellerDumbell, K. E. M. (Kate Ethel Mary)
History
Seeing the West: Suggestions for the Westbound Traveller
Dumbell, K. E. M. (Kate Ethel Mary)
West (U.S.) -- Description and travel
Beautiful mountainous islands rise out of the lake and the whole body of
water is picturesque to a degree. The tints of the water at sunset are
exquisite, and the floating spars, so often seen here, heavily encrusted
with salt crystals, add greatly to the dazzling effects of the rays of
light.
The trip across the lake by rail is one of the interesting experiences
in going to the Far West via Salt Lake City.
OGDEN AND THE OGDEN CANYON
Ogden lies 30 miles north of Salt Lake City; it is a railroad centre.
For those who may be delayed here it may be well to know that the Ogden
River Canyon is a beautiful spot. It can be reached by automobile or by
street car.
THE CANYON OF THE ARKANSAS
At Canyon City, situated at the mouth of the canyon of the Arkansas, if
you happen to have taken the “Denver and Rio Grande Scenic Railway” for
this section of your trip, you leave the Pullman car and take your seat
in a flat, uncovered observation car (during the summer months) and so
pass through this superb gorge. The next ten miles takes you through a
bit of scenery worth going anywhere to see. There is a fine piece of
engineering here. The train seems in spots to cling to the sides of the
gorge, and it is here that we cross the famous Hanging Bridge, the
waters of the Arkansas dashing madly past. Strangers who have never been
in this part of the world before may possibly be misled into thinking
they are seeing the Grand Canyon while passing through here; but this
canyon of the Arkansas must not be confounded with the canyon of the
Colorado River, which is known all over the world as “The Grand Canyon.”
It is a sad pity that the word GRAND has been used in connection with
these lesser canyons. It is a misnomer, and I know that many people have
been misled by it.
THE MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Of all the ruins of prehistoric peoples in our great Southwest, these
are the largest, best preserved, and most picturesquely situated, hence
Congress has set aside as a National Park this large area of 48,966
acres under the above title.
This mesa, or high tableland, is cut by many canyons, and in these
canyon walls are found most of the cliff dwellings of this truly
remarkable region. Much has been done here to make it possible for the
traveller to reach and explore, for himself, these dwellings of the
ancients.
The best approach is from Mancos, Colorado; from here to the ruins is
only 10 miles (as the crow flies) and some 30 miles by auto road on
account of the various canyons to be traversed; a trip more full of
interest would be hard to find in any country.
The trip from Mancos to Spruce Tree Camp is made in about three hours,
and here we are taken care of for the night.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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