[Some paragraph marks added for ease of reading.]Sunday noon
Dear Mamma:-
I have been having a fine time since I wrote before. I found a telephone message from the Bloods when I came home from Olive's asking me over, to take the early train Friday morning, but the message was so mixed up that I had not the slightest idea what was ahead of me, how long I was expected to stay or what to do - except that something was said about "Peaks." Even that I found was wrong later, but it served the purpose of making me wear my real tramping clothes - my worst - and take my two sweaters. I rose at 4:30, Miss Gates drove me to the further station in Gorham and I got to Randolph at little after 7. Robert I found at the Ravine House near the station, for that part of the message had been clear. Then I learned that all the family and three guests had gone the day before to a camp way up on the mountain and that I was to go there at once, to spend Fri. night there, and that the rest of the walks out depended on circumstances.
So I left my night-dress and a silk waist which I had prudently put in a separate parcel at the Ravine House and off we went at 7:30. It proved to be a climb of 4 1/2 miles to the camp! That camp is on the side of Mt. Adams, way up almost to the tree line, at an elevation of about 4500 feet, the height of Gorham Moriah. We did it in 2 1/4 hours but I may say I was hot, though it was a cool day. There were fine views at intervals across to other mountains and back into the Randolph and Jefferson valleys. When I got there I found that the men and Jane Blood had gone on 5 1/2 miles farther to Washington, while Mrs. Blood, Alice and a Mrs. Turnbull were at the camp with the guide. Robert and I had a second breakfast, and then he skipped on to Washington while I rested a season. Then the four of us started for Jefferson, perhaps 2 miles up the trail. We got above the trees very soon and has [sic] splendid views.
We lunched by a spring just at the base of the last rise, and that was a mistake for by the time we had eaten leisurely the clouds had come pouring in and it began to rain, while if we had kept right on we should have had the view from the top. We decided to stay a while anyhow as it wasn't raining hard and picked three quarts of mountain cranberries, like those Reno got on Saddleback you know. By that time it was clear where we were and we went back along the trail to where another crossed it. Miss Blood and I climbed up to the ridge and had such a magnificent view that we called the others to come. There were clouds over the tip-top of Washington, but everything else was clear, and the light was beautiful. There is something about those high places that one never gets farther down.
We stayed around until half past four and got back down the trail to the camp a little before six. The other people had come and we had a grand supper cooked mostly by the guide. It is a private camp, rented only on condition that there be a guide to be sure things are properly cared for. I'll tell you more about it when I see you. We slept in our blankets, ten in a row on a big fir bed with our feet pointed toward the fire! And really slept, too! It rained all night, but the camp is perfectly dry and we enjoyed the patter on the roof. Yesterday we came down a long way in the cloud but the rain had stopped and we didn't get seriously wet. I'm only a bit lame - not nearly as much as after Washington last year - and it certainly was great fun. The Bloods were all so good to me. It's the kind of thing one can't do without men, and I'll never have any of my own, so I'm particularly glad to have had this particularly lovely thing. Their machine has no extra tire now as they've had various accidents but I came home easily by train to Gorham last night where Miss Smith and Miss Gates met me.
Your tax bill has been forwarded to me from South Hadley - $61 and some odd. I'm glad I didn't mention it to Mr. Clough. That Jordan Marsh thing was for me, an error in the reckoning whereby I make a dollar! But the initials are a trifle crazy, I must say.
My letters are all mixed up and I can't seem to lay my hand on yours so I'll answer any questions later. One just came while I have been writing. I don't believe the clothes-lines can be taken out Mrs. Emerson's picture. They were so far behind her really that it never occurred to me that they would show. If she'd like to try without an apron on, I'll be glad to, but I think the apron is not bad looking. I think I'll have to try taking yours when I get to South Hadley and we get settled.
It is dinner-time, and I must stop. I'll get to Nashua next Sat. sometime I expect, but I haven't decided on the route yet. Grace Stratton has written saying I may stay there, which is certainly very kind of her. I think I'll stay at Jessee's however, if she's willing to let me, and will keep on going over to the camp herself.
Miss Smith sends love. Her mother is a little better. Much love to you. I am glad you are keeping well.