Were You Worried When Mr. Walling Did Not Come?

Monday, September 22.—Willie started over the range today to either get supplies or get the axletree of the wagon Walling is making. We cannot either move on or return to our home at the Mills without our wagon. There is very poor feed for the horses. Their grain is being used up. The nights are cold. Our stock of provisions is fast decreasing. Willie and Brother Glover returned. Brother Glover was on his way with the new axletree when Willie met him. We were glad to see them and made preparations to start the next morning from Grand Lake in Middle Park. We had a cold night, but our noble bonfire of big logs and our little stove in the tent kept us comfortable.LASW 79.1

Tuesday, September 23, 1873.—We rose early and packed up bedding and provisions for a start on our journey. The road was so rough for about six miles, Sister Hall and myself decided to walk. My husband rode a pony. Willie walked. Brother Glover drove the horses. We had to walk over streams and gulches, on stones and upon logs. We gathered some gum from the trees as we passed along.LASW 79.2

After six or eight miles’ travel on foot it was a good rest to climb up upon the bedding and ride. The scenery in the park was very grand. Our hearts were cheerful, although we were very tired. The trees, showing the marks of autumn, were interspersed among the living green pines, presenting a picture of great loveliness and beauty. It was the dying glories of summer. We camped for the night in a plain surrounding a cluster of willows. We cut plenty of grass for our beds. ^{17MS 11, 1873.}LASW 79.3

Wednesday, September 24.—We had most beautiful scenery most of the way. Autumn’s glory is seen in the golden and scarlet trees interspersed among the dark evergreens. The towering mountains are all around us. We stopped at Grand River for dinner. We had some difficulty in finding a carriage road, but after some delay, and one on horseback searching carefully, we could pass on. We had a very rough road. We arrived at Grand Lake about five o’clock. Pitched our tent in a good dry spot and were tired enough to rest that night.LASW 80.1

Grand Lake, Colorado, Thursday, September 25.—We worked busily nearly all the day in getting settled. I have two ticks [mattresses] made of woolen blankets which we filled with hay and made very nice beds. We have boards arranged for shelves, and we look very cozy here. ^{18Letter 11, 1873.}LASW 80.2

September 28.—Here we are, camped by a beautiful lake, surrounded by pines which shelter us from winds and storms. Very high mountains rise surrounding the lake except on one side. The lake is the most beautiful body of water I ever looked upon. Fishermen come in here to fish and take out their fish packed in boxes upon the backs of donkeys.LASW 80.3

On our way here we met thirteen mules from the lake, two men, one horse, and two donkeys loaded with two hundred sixty pounds of lake fish. There are a few log cabins here, but only one that is fit to live in, and that has no floor. We came here for father’s health. He has been better since he came.LASW 80.4

Our provisions are getting low. We cannot get away from here till Brother Glover returns and sends Walling with horses and ponies. We have two horses and one pony here. In coming, for want of ponies, Lucinda and I walked about six miles over the roughest road. We cannot do this in returning, for it is mostly up rocky mountains. ^{19Letter 13, 1873.}LASW 80.5