Page:Motoring Magazine and Motor Life July 1915.djvu/3

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A Tour Into the Sonoma Mountains

A Delightful Drive off the Beaten Path to the Geysers

By J. W. Leavitt

How much is in store for the man who buys his first automobile! It must be akin to the feelings of those good old pirates whose names grace the pages of history and to whom the hero worshipers take pleasure in erecting monuments for the discovery of new countries, while "pirating." That anticipation that must have keyed them up to be away and doing is an inheritance which the owner of a motor car can now enjoy.

Instead, however, of going forth to accumulate the goods and chattels of others, the motor car owner goes forth to discover for himself those pleasures of nature which others enjoy, and which through the goodness of the Great Creator, are for those who seek.

Such treasures are within the easy reach of the motorists of San Francisco, and it is for them that this tour out of this city is written.

The objective point was the Geysers, a place where nature displays her idiosyncrasies.

Leaving the ferry at Sausalito, the course led through the town built on the hillside; thence through Waldo Point and over the Alta Grade.

The climb up the grade in the early morning was most interesting. The farmer was abroad, cutting the plenteous crop of grain that showed that some one would be a prospective buyer of a motor car, if he did not already own one.

In the far distance was Mt. Tamalpais, with its high head just turning golden with the rising sun. The southern foothills and lowlands at the base of the mountain seemed more peaceful than ever as we drove over them.

One can easily realize the fascination that has made this section so popular with those who have had more than the desire for dollars and cents in this life.

As the summit was reached the upper bay burst into view, marked at its meeting with the waters of San Pablo Bay by the Brothers light.

Nearer in the foreground were the gray walls of San Quentin, and one could not help but ponder over the conditions of men. Within those gray walls was restraint and depression while we on the

Scene in California, near Corning.