Western trip, July 1928. Hazel, "Carbie", Vera, Florence
Tilsonburg to Fort William
Thurs. June 28:
Left the "Burg" [Tilsonburg] 7:33 A.M. Reached Salford 8:00.
Hair marcelled in A.M. Picnic on school grounds. P.M. Walking with "Our Beau".
Fri. June 29:
Rain all day.Taught A.M. 3:00 P.M. motored with the Banes to
Ingersoll. Shopped. Left at 4:47 for Toronto. Arrived 8:40 and met by Oscar,
[her brother John William Oscar Rogers], boys and Vera [her sister] in a
downpour.
Sat. June 30:
Left city 1:00 P.M. (noon). Arrived Pt. McN. (6th stop) 4:10 P.M.
[SS Assiniboia was a passenger liner that once sailed between Port Arthur /
Fort William (now Thunder Bay) on Lake Superior and Port McNicoll on Georgian
Bay (Lake Huron) in Ontario, Canada. She carried passengers between these ports
for the Canadian Pacific Railway's Great Lakes Steamship Service: Info from
Wikipedia]
On board "Assiniboia" at once. Away 4:30. Met Miss Donaldson of T.W.H. days on
train. Dinner on steamer 6:00. Promenaded deck, wrote letters and climbed up at
10:30 P.M.
Sun. July 1:
Rose at 6:15, after splendid night's rest. 7:00, entered St.
Mary's River. 8:00, had breakfast. Promenaded decks, wrote cards and watched
the course of boat around and past numerous islands. 10:45. docked at Sault
Ste. Marie. Went on land and were taken by Rotary Club cars to St. Andrews
(Presbyterian) United Church. Sermon on National Infancy, solo -
Land of Hope
and Glory
- anthem -
Arise, My Soul Arise.
Returned to boat by car. 12:20 -
lunch - 20 min. late. 1:00, through locks at Sault Ste. Marie. 6:00, dinner (8
pieces of silver) 8:00, Impromptu church service. Hymns, sermon by Rev. Noble
of Regina (Baptist delegate to Toronto) Solos; patriotic few minutes -
O
Canada
, National Anthems of Britain and America,
Praise God from whom all
blessings flow
. Brisk walk around and hurricane decks. Letters and bed on the
top "shelf" at 10:45.
Mon. July 2, 1928:
Rose 4:50. Breakfast 6:00. 7:00 called at Port Arthur.
Disembarked from Assiniboia at Ft. William at 8:30 E.S.T.
Fort William to Banff
Left at 9:00 A.M.
C.T. (50 minutes late). Ft. W. to Ignace rugged, wooded and rocky. Lunch at
Ignace (almost left). Ignace to Dryden more like Ont. Dominion Day Celebration
at Dryden. Rode in baggage car from Dryden almost to Kenora. Stopped several
times between Ft. W. and Ken. to cool engine. Dryden to Kenora rugged again.
Lunch at Ken. and engine changed. Ingolf last station in Ontario at about 7:15.
Telford first station in Man. Reached Win. About 9:45. (poorly lighted). Came
to Y.W. where we got a room for four. Took bath and retired at 11:30 P.M.
Tues. July 3:
Rose 5:45, breakfast 8:00. Tried to locate Dorothy. Took bags to
Station. Went up to the city. Saw Mr. Duke. Came to train about 9:15 P.M. Sat
in observation car till 10:45 then went to bed. Didn't think much of berths.
Wed. and Thurs. July 4 and 5:
10:30 A.M. Took luggage to Alexandra Hotel after
looking around city a bit then came back and had dinner at the hotel. [I think
they are in Regina now as that is where Aunt Nettie Davis lived] Went down town
and looked around then went to Aunt Nettie's at about 3:00. After supper went
to Chatauqua
[Chautauqua was an adult education movement, highly popular in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and
culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians,
entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day].
Next morning did a bit of
washing. Went downtown with Auntie and left Uncle to get dinner. After dinner
went to visit the Babies Welfare. After supper went to visit Chatauqua again
and heard the Russian Cossack Chorus (wonderful). Helen C. and Aunt N. along.
Went for a walk had ice-cream then went home.
Fri. July 6:
Took train for Calgary at 10:10. 11:30 lunch at Moose Jaw. Around
Swift Current the land seemed to flatten out again. Out of Sask. and into Alta.
Around 8:00. Retired about 10:30.
Sat. July 7:
Train pulled into Calgary 4:15 A.M. Porter had a difficult time to
rouse me. Wakened Nellie but didn't get up till conductor came with tickets.
Porter came back to make sure we were up. Finally crawled out of bed at 4:20
and dressed PDQ. Doing no more than absolutely necessary as we didn't want to
go through to Vancouver just then. Left the train at 4:30 and finished our
toilet in the station. At 5:00, went for a walk and discovered how exceedingly
friendly Calgary people are (particularly the foreigners).
Breakfast at 6. Met
V. and H. at 7:00. Met by Vivian at 8:30. Took taxi to the Y. where we engaged
a room (the parlour). Went home with Vivian, then over to get a hair-cut, then
down town and finally out to Art Harris' in Art's car, for lunch (got table).
Mrs. Harris motored us around the city in the afternoon and after calling on
Gladys C. we hurried home to dress for a Dinner Party at the Tea Kettle Inn (13
guests). Went home with Vivian then back to the Y. Had a bath and retired about
11:30.
Sun. July 8:
Rose at 7:00, had breakfast at 9:00 (Vivian and Mrs. Harris with
us). Walked up the S. hill to get a view of the snow-capped mountains
(magnificent). Went to church then over to Cummers for lunch (14 guests). Left
for train about 3:30. Train pulled out at 5:05. Heavy rain and hail storm. Got
first good glimpse of mts. at Cochrane. Between Cochrane and Banff saw first
wild deer. Miss Porter pointed out the different mts. as we approach them.
Reached mt. surrounded Banff at 8:40. (left Vera at Canmore). Took bus to Y.
then went for walk, came back and retired at 11:00. (forgot the day - went
walking looking around stores)
Mon. July 9
: Rose at 6:30, had shower bath and breakfast then went walking.
Visited the zoo, Museum and Sulphur Baths at "The Cave". Also visited Banff
Springs Hotel getting lost in the building. View from balconies magnificent.
Good view of Bow Falls. Returned to Y. and had lunch, then after short rest
walked again this time climbing Sulphur Mt. to Upper Hot Springs and returning
by The Trail. Returned to the Y. dead tired. Had supper (dinner) at 7:00. Vera
and Ina and Goldie with us. Went down town and purchased few souvenirs then
came home had shower and went to bed at 11:00. (Tunnel Mt. seen from our room
at the Y.) Room $5.25. (Name of Y. annex Gwynnehaha).
Lake Louise to Sicamous
Tues. July 10
: Rose 6:15. Had shower, packed for Lake Louise then breakfast at
8:00. Left Banff Springs Hotel at 8:15. Left for Lake Louise at 8:50.
After a
very thrilling drive around numerous breathless curves at 11:00, reached
Johnson Canyon. Here we made a 50 minute stop in which time we climbed along a
narrow winding path up steps and down to the very end of the canyon to the
falls. Just before we reached the canyon we saw a whole herd of mt. goats, one
of which came real close and posed for his picture.
At 12:00 (noon) we reached
Lake Louise, had a lovely lunch, rested and then at 2 P.M. took the L. Morraine
trip (9 miles, $2.50). Banff road had nothing on this for narrowness and
ruggedness. Highest point (Lookout Point) reached was 6,000 ft. above sea. Saw
the glacier topped Mt. Temple (height 11,636 ft. above sea -- glacier 300-400
ft. deep). Saw the
valley of the ten peaks
, two being Fay and Poisen (one drop
is sufficient). Also saw Babel's Tower and beautiful Morraine Lake in the
valley.
Click on the postcard for more contemporary views around Lake Louise
On the return we saw two marmots (live in the rocks). Looked around
Chateau Lake Louise then had dinner and set out at 6:50 to climb to the lakes
in the clouds. 1st L. Louise altitude 5,___ ft. (largest) 2nd Mirror L.
altitude 6655 ft. (tiny) 3rd L. Agnes altitude 6875 ft. All are the most
wonderful deep blue-green shade. Fairly big falls from the 3rd lake.
Climbed
just a little above the 3rd lake and made snowballs and snowballed the crowd.
Made a large one and carried it down the trail for 40 minutes. Picked tiny
yellow flowers near the snow drift. Reached the Y. dead tired; had a bath and
rolled in at 11:15.
Wed. July 11:
Yours truly's birthday. Rose 6:15. Wrote cards to school kiddies.
Breakfast at 8:00. Train 3 hrs. late thus we were able to take the Yoho trip
($5.00) We went up the switchback, saw Takakkow Falls (2nd highest in the
world) .
[Takakkaw Falls is a waterfall located in Yoho National Park, near Field,
British Columbia.
Its highest point is 302 metres from its base, making it the
45th tallest waterfall in eastern British Columbia. (Wikipedia)]
Walked over the Natural Bridge, saw beautiful Emerald Lake. (Also saw
Spiral Tunnels,
Great Divide (made wish) and went thro' Kicking Horse Pass and Canyon.
Had lunch and took the train at Field (obs. car without extra charge).
7:00,
had sandwich at Revelstoke. Went thro' Connaught Tunnel 5 m. long -- 15 minutes)
under Mt. Donald -- 1 mile of rock above tunnel, completed in 1916. Climbed 1200
ft. in 20 miles in the tunnel. Selkirks as high as Rockies but not as
spectacular because of weathering (age).
Not far from
Sicamous
saw place where
the last spike was driven in C.P.R. Reached Sicamous about 10:00, got room at
Bellevue Hotel -- went to bed at 11:30.
On to Vancouver
Thurs. July 12:
Rose 5:20, called Hazel and Nellie at 5:30. Went to station at 6:30 expecting
to get breakfast and pull out at 7:00. Found train late because of wreck at
Glacier. Had Breakfast (horrid) at station at 8:00 then while the mosquitoes
feasted royally on us, waited for the train till 11:00. Glad to go aboard and
leave the all too friendly mosquitoes.
Sat in the open observation car almost all day getting dirtier and more
"towseled" every minute. Our one joy was the fact that we could go to our
"compartment" any time and wash up. (Compartment, why?). Had lunch at noon at
Kamloops (where we intended to stay) Ate first meal on the train (dinner,
exceptionally good food). Went for a short walk at tea time at North Bend (not
time for lunch). At Yale bought cherries from an Indian boy (white and black).
Reached Vancouver at 11:15 P.M. took taxi to Y.W. and retired at 12:30 . Beds
in gym, curtained off.
Fri. July 13:
Rose 7:30. Had shower, breakfast out at 9:00. Made reservations for between
Seattle and San Francisco, then looked around city a bit going back to Y. at
10:30 where I washed my hair and Vera's and then helped V. do some washing.
Lunch at Y. at 12:15. Marcel at 12:45.
Looked round stores till 4:00, then took
Trolley Sightseeing Car coming back to Y. at 6:00 for dinner. (Vancouver city
of 300,000 pop. 42 years old. Formerly small village of 2 little streets which
when wiped out by fire was rebuilt by C.P.R. ) Stayed in, in evening to rest.
Bed at 11:00.
Sat. July 14:
Rose 6:45. Breakfast (good) at Y.W. at 8:00. Took trolley to Stanley Park,
walked through and enjoyed rose gardens and zoo and saw Trotsky beg for
peanuts. Took auto trip around the park learning that it consisted of 1000
acres of virgin forest belonging to the British Admiralty, leased to city for
99 years.
Saw squatters homes, Prospect Point, Figurehead of old C.P.R. steamer
Empress of Japan, cannon that fires automatically from Montreal each evening at
9:00, totem poles, native dugout canoe, Lumber Arch representing all the
different varieties of lumber native to B.C., monument to President Harding on
site where his last speech was made a few days before he died, monument to
Queen Victoria erected by school children in 1905, monument to Pauline Johnson,
also Siwash Rock behind which she is buried and near which she did much of her
literary work.
Took trolley and then ferry to N. Vancouver, then trolley to Capilano Canyon
and after 15 min. walk, walked over the suspension bridge (too shaky) 200 ft.
high, 450 ft. long.
Capilano Suspension Bridge, ca 1925
Shopped, rested then had dinner at 6:00. After dinner went to roof garden of
Hotel Vancouver where we had most wonderful view of the city and mountains.
Here we could see the Sleeping Beauty and the Lions exceptionally well (Van.
the lion guarded city). 9:00 -- 10:30 entertained Mrs. Barrett, delivering Mrs.
Gregg's parcel. Bed at 11:00.
Hotel Vancouver, with Roof Garden
Victoria, Seattle, Oregon
Sun. July 15:
Rose 6:30, breakfast 8:30. Left for Victoria by boat 10:30. Strs. Of Georgia
crossed and Victoria reached at 2:30 (Lunch at counter on boat at 1:00). (Water
rough at first) Met by Jim at wharf,
[James Wesley Rogers -- first cousin, who
worked in a candy/chocolate store]
and taken to Y.W. (no room). Jim found rooms
for us at the Metropolis Hotel (4th floor, 403) across from store where Jim
works. Jim got car and drove us all around city for over 3 hrs. (roses
magnificent). Dinner at the hotel, then walked until 10:15, came in washed pr.
stockings and went to bed at 11:15.
Mon. July 16:
Rose at 7:15. Breakfast at 8:30 at White Lunch. Looked around stores, then met
Jim at 10:00. Took club bag to be fixed. Saw candy being made. Had lunch with
Jim at Stevenson's then at 12:45 Jim took us and Mrs. Hawthorne in a taxi to
Buchart's Gardens (magnificent).
Returned to hotel at 3:45, got ready, walked
to wharf and left for Seattle at 4:30. Jim treated us royally and gave us each
a box of chocolates when we left. Reached Seattle at 8:30. Went to Waldorf
Hotel where we had reserved accommodation from Victoria. Called Maude W., saw
Lorraine, had ice-cream and returned to hotel. Bed at 12:15 after a good bath.
Tues, July 17:
Rose 7:30. Breakfast 8:30 in Waldorf Café. Went to see Maude at Cheasty's then
visited Seattle market (most wonderful fairyland of fruits, vegetables etc. and
so reasonable). Bought some fruit from a most exceedingly polite Jap., then
visited the stores, bought a couple of souvenirs then at 11:00 met V. and N. at
Bartelles's Drug Store where we had lunch.
Went back to hotel, got ready to
resume journey, then took street-car to station. Few minutes before, train time
found we were at wrong station. Crossed road to right station and took train
(conductor didn't take sleeping-car ticket) at 1:00 for Portland.
Nothing
worthy of note happened on this trip but reaching Portland where we had just
two hours stop we engaged a taxi and saw the city. Returning to station we had
a lunch then boarded the Frisco train at 9:15. Pulled out at 9:30. Found that
our berth No. 11 was claimed by another party resulting in our moving to No. 1.
Bed at 10:30.
Wed. July 18:
Rose 7:30. Hazel's birthday. Breakfast of fruit. 11:05 off at Ashland
[Oregon]; drank
Lithia water (sulphur and soda -- horrid) and visited Lithia Springs Park (cat).
Away again at 12:05. Lunch $1.25 on train.
On to California
In the afternoon we were off 15
minutes at Black Butte (13 became 31). Saw Shasta Mt. at lunch (well laden with
snow) and again at Black Butte (very little snow). At Shasta Springs train
stopped for 5 min. to let us have more Lithia water (less sulphur more soda).
15 min. stop at Dunsmuir. Here we had ice-cream cone and made acquaintance of
conductor. Dinner on train at 7:00, ($.75 good). Conductor thought I was Vera's
mother. Porter brought us a table and we tried to write letters. Became
acquainted with lady from Frisco. Bed at 10:00.
Thurs. July 19:
Rose 4:45 to be ready to see the train broken up and put on board the ferry.
Crossed Carquinez Str. from Blenecia Calif. to Pt. Costa. Calif.
San Francisco
Off train at Oakland at 7:00 where we boarded ferry to cross the Bay again. Had
a real good breakfast on board and then in about three quarters of an hour
reach San Francisco where we took a street car to station and chequed bags.
Looked around some of the big stores then walked through China-town with its
many little quaint and musty stores and gruesome odours. Some good sized and
up-to-date stores. Many buildings had quaint oriental looking roofs. Children
mostly clean and neat and dear. Lunch (good) at Woolworths.
Visited Seal Rock (only saw three seals) and Golden Gate Park going through the
wonderful Museum and Aquarium. Also saw the trained seal earning his food.
Dinner at another Woolworths, then went for streetcar ride away out through a
tunnel 2 and 1/3 miles long under the Twin Peaks.
Returned to station, wrote cards then boarded the train at 9:00. Sick man over
Nellie and me and his "fussy" wife over the others. Finally "rolled in" about
11:00 after "hubby" was fixed up.
Los Angeles
Fri. July 20:
Rose 7:30. Very cramped and uncomfortable journey to L.A.
which we reached at noon. Took Rosslyn bus to the hotel, engaged room with
bath for four of us then had dinner and set out on detested shopping tour once
again. Wasted whole afternoon this way; had dinner and after arranging journey
to Chicago (when I was growing more impatient each moment) Vera and I went to
second picture at the Tower Theatre (7th and Main). Came back to hotel, washed,
took bath and retired about 1:00 A.M.
Sat. July 21:
Rose 6:00. Called Vera 6:30. Breakfast 7:45. Vera left dining room to see
about tickets for Catalina,
came back, then after we had finished went to Pacific Electric Station and
took trolley at 9:00 for Wilmington where at 10:00 we boarded the S.S. Catalina
(crowded) for the 2 hr. journey to the island. Reached the island at noon.
Lunch at Hotel Catherine then took the Glass Bottom Boat Empress to see
submarine gardens; vegetation marvelous. Saw exhibition of deep sea diving;
bought one of the divers abalone shells. After this took Skyline Tour around
island, wonderful view of the ocean also of Jane Grey's and Wm. Wrigley's
homes. Visited souvenir stores then at 4:00 took same steamer for return trip,
saw porpoise and flying fish.
Back to hotel about 8:00 after lunching at a
little coffee shop next to hotel. Not able to get a lower berth so had to
re-arrange our plans deciding on uppers for 2 nights. Out to buy cards then
back and retired about 11:30.
Sun. July 22:
Sunday. Everybody up earlier than I for I was ill. Rose about 11:00 but had
to lie down again until 12:45. Not able to take trip to Pasadena but decided
about 1:00 would go on Hollywood trip. Started at 2:00 and didn't get back till
5:30. Drive very beautiful but got chilly and thus more pain. Saw parts of
business and residential sections of Los Angeles and many of their forty-seven
beautiful parks. Saw Hollywood and Beverley Hills where are located many
magnificent homes of the movie stars.
Returning to the hotel found Florence M.
waiting for me (looked just like old times, is coming back to Ontario to live
some day). So ill, decided not to go to League with her. Engaged new room
($2.00) until train time. Had hotel doctor, Dr. Aiken come to our room (301).
He tapped my sore "tummy" asked many embarrassing questions, left 3 pills and
charged $3.00. 10:00 got up and went to station in a taxi, got on train and
went to bed at 11:00.
On to Salt Lake City, Utah
Mon. July 23:
Rose 6:00. Saw nothing but sand, sand and more sand and a few
scrubby shrubs. Washed, dressed and was ready for breakfast at Kelso at 7:10.
More sand, rocks and heat and few habitations.
Lunch at 11:00 at Las Vegas,
Nevada (91 degrees in train, 110 outside). Vera discovered a slit in her skirt,
from side to side (lucky she had a slip on). Nothing particular to do in the
afternoon, so while the other 3 listened to a "gabby" Yankee, I arranged and
discovered how much money I had spent already.
Porter very comical and willing
to talk so had many jolly moments with him. Dinner at Caliente (hot). Nellie
looking for her glasses, found them in "grandmother's" place on her nose.
Intense heat began to lessen about 3:30 or 4:00 (very welcome change). At 9:45
another lunch at Milford (here our "gabby" friend left us).
Travelling in
elegance, no one else in sleeper, thus our "private" car. According to what can
be seen we have a conductor or so and also porter as "bed-fellows" tonight. Bed
at 11:00. (strange porter -- Ain't I'm Lucky")
Tues. July 24:
(81st anniversary of Mormon entrance into Utah). Train pulled
into Salt Lake City at 4:55. Rose at 6:30. Off train 7:15. (Porter -- "You alls
wasn't no trouble"). Forgot fur, porter returned it to me. Blue Line Bus to
Utah Hotel where we breakfasted and while the rest made the reservations I
wrote to Mother and Esther.
8:45 got on bus again ready to take City and
Wasatch Drive at 9:00 to 11:00. On this we saw various Mormon Bldgs. --
"Beehive" where 19 wives of Brigham Young once lived, one in each gable --
Amelia's (favourite and 17th wife of Brigham Y.) home.
-- grave of Brigham Young and 3 of his wives and one of the 18 mothers-in-law
--
second school built for Brigham Young's 52 children (city only 40% Mormon but
state 70% - polygamy never practiced in state by more than 2%) -- Mormon Temple
-- none but good Mormons -- abstain from tea, coffee, alcohol and tobacco and
conform with teachings of the Book of Mormon -- Mormon Tabernacle (daily organ
recital at noon).
Went through the State Capital Bldg., which can be seen from
any point in the Utah valley. Utah state limestone, finished inside with
Georgia marble in various patterns (animals, birds, butterflies). Lobby or
entrance finished with Utah Valley "golden onyx" -- most magnificent.
Leaving
the Capitol we drove through University of Utah grounds where, in a little
building looking thro' the window we saw huge bones of prehistoric fossilized
creature which students are engaged in picking from the rocks. Leaving here we
drove through the Douglas military post established in order to fire on and
keep in order the Mormons if necessary.
Next, we saw an immense "U" (cement) on
the mountainside placed there by students in 1905. Each year the freshmen are
required to give it a coat of paint and those not present are branded with a
"U" on the forehead and ducked in a barrel of whitewash.
Drove thro' Liberty
Park which formerly belonged to Brigham Young on condition that when city grew
it should be returned to city as a park. In this park may be found every kind
of tree native to the valley (N.B. in A.M. drive saw beautiful home that Jack
Dempsey purchased for his mother). Also saw Immigration Canyon, the pass thro'
which the pioneer Mormons entered Utah and statue indicating spot where he
uttered the words "This is the place" , the place where we will build the
temple to our god and make our home.
Returning to the bus depot we bought
souvenirs and cards which we wrote and posted then looked around "Temple Block"
where we saw the museum, temple tabernacle and overflow tabernacle and statues
of various prominent Mormons.
In the tabernacle from 12:10 to 12:45 we listened
to a wonderful organ recital after which we lunched in the Utah Hotel cafeteria
then after 1:30 we left for "Saltair", on the Great Salt Lake and oh! such a
drive -- heat, sand and hot air. Crossed Jordan R. on our way. Nothing of
interest at journey's end but bathing which I could not partake of (?). Reached
Saltair at 2:10 leaving at 3:30 reaching station at about 4:00.
[The first Saltair, completed in 1893, was jointly owned by a corporation
associated with
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
and the Salt
Lake & Los Angeles Railway (later renamed as the
Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway),
which was constructed for the express purpose of serving the
resort]
Had to make a rush at 4:30 to get to train because hadn't heard 1st warning.
Station manager rather crusty. An O.B.S.E.R.V.A.T.I.O.N. on train, first since
we left Canada. In evening went through some wonderful mountain ranges
comparing very favourably with the Canadian Rockies. At one point we could see
three railroad beds at different heights up the mountain sides and in order to
ascend this we made three sharp curves (switchbacks) like a large letter S and
were at one time climbing 100 ft. per mile. Wrote two cards which would be
posted from the highest P.O. in the U.S.
After a good clean up went to bed at
10:00. N.B. Asked porter why berths were always made head towards the engine
and he said it was only dead people who were carried feet first.
Into Colorado
Wed. July 25:
Up at 5:45. Berth covered with cinders. Breakfast at 8:30 on diner. Girls in
bed until almost 9:00; inside human atmosphere somewhat chilly part of day.
Reached Tennessee Pass [Colorado] (10,240 ft, above sea level and highest peak
in U.S. --
Top of the World P.O.). Stretched ourselves at Solida 11:15 (girls had
breakfast, we had cone). Entered Royal Gorge at 1:25 – got off train and saw
the hanging bridge.
Rolled along between majestic mountain peaks mostly wooded but some few quite
liberally snow-capped, reaching Pueblo at 3:00 where once again we stretched
our aching bones and refreshed ourselves with a cone. Here, as our sleeper went
to St. Louis, we were transferred to a different sleeper.
At 4:30 we reached Colorado Springs and glad we were to set foot on terra firma
again. From amid the babbling throng of hotel bus drivers we chose the Elk and
were whisked away to a very comfortable room on the 3rd floor of the most
central hotel in the town.
After dinner in McRae's Cafeteria we looked through
several curio stores (exorbitant prices) walked around the town a bit made
arrangements for a trip to Cave of the Winds on the following morning (Thurs.).
Returning to the hotel I did a bit of laundry work, shampooed Hazel's hair, had
a much needed bath, wrote some twenty odd cards and rolled in at midnight.
Thurs. July 26:
Rose at 5:45. Breakfast at 7:45. Left hotel at 8:30 on Tour of the Garden of
the Gods and Cave of the Winds (Bert Beales driving).
Garden of the Gods is a private property which has been thrown open to the
public. It consists of wonderful rock formations just as nature formed them.
Just a few of them are: huge lion head, giant Indian sleeping, Martha
Washington, One-eyed Scotchman, the old Dutchman with flat hat, eagle, turtle,
two toadstools with toad between, two mushrooms, balanced rock, steamboat rock
(saw Pike's Peak from telescope on this rock, also Cheyenne Summit and the
kissing camels, and trunk room.
The eastern gate or entrance to this garden is
magnificent and stupendous – towering and rugged red sandstone rocks form the
two huge pillars on either side while between these is a considerably smaller
one of white sandstone. These rocks are easily marked with a match.
At
different points throughout the garden we had our snaps taken. Leaving the
gardens we drove through Manitou summer resort, on out to the Caves thro'
Williams's Canyon a very narrow (The Narrows) one-way drive between
stupendously towering rocks.
Although we were climbing all the time at times we
appeared to go down grade and here the water (a little stream at the side) had
every appearance of running uphill.
The trip through the Cave was as wonderful
as the Garden. It was discovered by two young lads 13 and 11 yrs. of age. The
eighteen rooms mostly different and most interestingly explained to us. Here
also were astonishing rocks and mineral formations (life size buffalo and
bisons etc.).
Returning we stopped and had a drink of mineral (soda) water at Manitou and
here we saw several Mexican Indians. At about 11:00 we reached Colo. Springs
again and after I bought a dress we had dinner leaving for the station at
12:15. We pulled out at 12:30 and after a very comfortable ride of two hours
and a quarter reached Denver.
After making arrangements for a City Tour we went to look around some of the
stores. At 5:15 we had a lovely dinner at one of the big cafeterias. Returned
to the station at 6:00 and at about 6:45 started on our drive.
Saw the beautiful public buildings both in daylight and lighted after dark.
Went thro' several beautiful residential districts and parks that were for use
(no please or keep off signs) as well as beauty. Saw the exact reproduction of
Geo. Washington's garden and a most magnificent statue and fountain combined.
(Capitol Bldg. told us height above sea level was 1 mile).
Rain (the first we
have seen since July 8th) and darkness rather spoil the tour. After returning
to station at 8:20 wrote cards while the rest went for a walk. At 10:00 we
boarded the train but not pulling out till 11:30. Retired about midnight.
Nebraska and Iowa
Fri July 27:
Rose 7:15 after somewhat cool night. Evidence of heavy rain all along the line.
11:45 had welcome 10 min. stop at Grand Island. 1:00 had lunch in the diner
(lettuce and tomato salad – peas – roll – peaches and cream - $.80). Country
looking more like home all the time, welcome change after parched and dry
California.
Reached Omaha at 3:30 and didn't pull out until 4:00 giving us time
to get sandwiches and doughnuts for our bedtime lunch. Crossed Missouri R. at
4:15. [into Iowa] Countryside very productive appearing and oh! how friendly
the green fields looked. Sandwiches, doughnuts, bananas, grapes and candy for
lunch at 6:45. 8:00 got ready for bed and crawled in at 8:45 in order to have a
good rest on our last night on the train together. Must be out in the morning
by 7:00 A.M.
Chicago
Sat. July 28:
Rose 5:15. Called by porter who said it was 5:30 and that it would only be an
hour before we reached Chicago. Not due until 7:00 – guess the porter was in a
hurry to get his work done. Splendid porter, so easy to forgive him. Left train
at 7:00 and took bus from C. & N.W. station to M.C.R. where girls made
reservations for Sat. night and Vera and I for Sun.
Through “Travellers Aid” we secured room at Breevort Hotel (lovely room with
bath). Had breakfast at 8:30 at Harmony Cafeteria on Dearborne St. then did a
little shopping and went back for dinner at 11:30. Went to room. Vera shampooed
my hair, cleaned up, then at 1:30 the girls came and at 4:00 we all took tour
around the city making one stop at the Conservatory in Garfield Park.
5:30
returned to hotel, finding roses from the manager on our dressers and after
saying goodbye to the girls had bath while Vera did a bit of washing. Dressed
in new togs and at 6:30 went out again dropping in to a theatre (splendid
picture and some vaudeville).
10:30 lunch at a drug store (poor lunch) – came
back to room retiring at 11:00.
Sun. July 29
: Rose 7:30. Made use of our bath again. Got ready for church. Went to big
Methodist Church on corner of Clark and Washington streets. Organist, minister
and choir (quartette) all wore black surpluses with white overblouses giving
Anglican or Catholic appearance. Strangers made to feel strange by being put in
very front seats and left severely alone after the service.
Lunch at 1:00 at N. American Cafeteria (very expensive but good). Returning to
hotel we enjoyed the solitude and rested until 3:30 when we went for ride on
the Elevated, seeing nothing but untidy back yards of tenements mostly of
coloured people.
Returning to hotel again at 5:15 when we rested, before going to station until
6:45. Reached station (taxi) at 7:00. Lunch in station at 7:30.
Rested in women's room till 9:30 when we boarded train, going right to bed but
not pulling out till 10:00. Discovered we had two sleeping above us (neither
one too small). While sitting in our berth the other occupants occupied and we
feared the thing was going to come down on us. I thought maybe I should write
tomorrow's diary too for fear I might not be able to use my thinker to narrate
in case the upper shelf wanted to keep the lower one company, Ha! ha! 10:45
decided to trust to luck and rolled in.
Heading for Home
Mon. July 30:
Awoke 5:00 after splendid night's rest. Rose at 5:30, washed, dressed and came
back to berth and read chapter from Bible. Watched scenery (very beautiful)
till time to get off at 7:10 (Detroit). Good breakfast (griddle cakes, toast,
marmalade and coffee) in station.
On C.P.R. at 8:45 for Windsor. Customs
Officer barely moved anything in my club bag and on asking if I had anything
new in it wanted to know the value. When I told him a few souvenirs, jolly
looking Immigration Officer asked where we had been and passed on apparently
satisfied with our answers.
Pulled out of Detroit at 9:05 – through tunnel into
Canada at 9:12. 1st thought (“Breathes there the man with soul so dead”)
|
|