Longmont Ledger August 10, 1900
A City Girls Opinion of a Country Village After Her First Visit

I left Denver on the excursion train Sunday morning July 8th. As it was my first visit in the country, and the people were entire strangers to me with the exception of the little girl who accompanied me to visit her brother, I was naturally anxious and nervous concerning my destination.

At last we arrived at Highland Switch, the first station north of Longmont and were met by Mr. W. G. Gateley, who escorted us in a buggy drawn by a very spirited driving team, three and one half miles across a prairie to Highland Lake, which is a very pretty lake, surrounded by trees. Then I met my hostess for the first time and we both decided to become good friends at once. Then on Sunday afternoon I had the pleasure of riding a pony that had made several trips to the top of Pike's Peak. We went to church in the evening. The church is just as pretty as a city church. On Monday forenoon I rode a horse and looked over the farm, all of which was new to me and very interesting. Monday afternoon a party of six drove to Longmont and enjoyed the Gentry's Pony and Dog show. We all had complimentary tickets. I enjoyed a very pleasant afternoon with my old friend Roy Feltus, of Denver, but at that time business manger for Mr. Gentry. The say was cool and I enjoyed the ten-mile drive very much.

Tuesday I went fishing in Highland Lake early in the morning and caught a small black bass, my first fish. In the evening I enjoyed a ride of eight miles over country roads, I doing the driving. Wednesday morning I went fishing again, and this time caught a bass that weighed three pounds. IN the evening we drove to Mt. Zion neighborhood and passed a very pretty fall in the Highland Ditch, the distance from my boarding place being about three miles. Thursday we drove to Berthoud, a distance of seven miles, and that evening I enjoyed a horse back ride with a gallant young farmer. Friday morning we drove to Longmont and did some shopping and called on some old friends. Friday evening we attended a C. E lawn social at the residence of L. C. Mead, on or close to the banks of the lake. The lawn was very beautifully decorated with Chinese lanterns. There were several tables on the lawn and all who wished played games, and we enjoyed a boat ride by moonlight. Then Saturday afternoon we gave a party in honor of Ralph and Hazel Powers, who were also guests, like myself at Fairview. There were thirty-five children and one lady at our party. We all played games on the lawn and then dainty refreshments were served, and all the children went home happy.

In the evening we again enjoyed another eight-mile ride.

Sunday morning to church, home to dinner, and then my time of vacation had ended, all too quickly.

I did not think that I would like it in the country, but I can say that I enjoyed that one week very much. It was with regret that I left my kind host and hostess, but I expect to go back next summer for a longer vacation. I am a clerk in the Colorado Dry Goods store in Denver; have charge of the glove department, and have been employed there six years. I hope all girls who clerk and wish a vacation can have as pleasant a time as I did.

Rose Proskauer

This page was updated on October 22, 2009