Letters to a Friend 



best route in many respects. You can reach 

 Mariposa direct from Stockton by stage. At 

 Mariposa you can procure saddle-horses and all 

 necessary supplies, provisions, cooking uten 

 sils, etc. Provisions can also be obtained at 

 "Clark's" and in the valley. Clark's Hotel is 

 midway between the valley and Mariposa. It 

 would be far more pleasant to camp out to 

 alight like birds in beautiful groves of your own 

 choosing than to travel by rule and make 

 forced marches to fixed points of common resort 

 and common confusion. 



You will require a light tent made of cotton 

 sheeting, also a strong dress and strong pair of 

 shoes for rock service. You will, of course, bring 

 a good supply of paper for plants. I suppose, 

 too, that you will all bring a supply of drawing- 

 material, but I hardly think that drawing will 

 be done. People admitted to heaven would 

 most likely "wonder and adore" for at least 

 two weeks before sketching its scenery, and I 

 don't think that you will sketch Yosemite any 

 sooner. 



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