The Drive of All Visitors
from Chapter XXXII of "Floral home; or, First years of Minnesota. Early sketches, later settlements, and further developments" by Harriet E. Bishop.
In which: the early tourist circuit is thoroughly explained
Come with me, kind reader, and have one of the most delightful rides that this or any other land affords. It is one of the loveliest of our autumn days. The air is as balmy as June, and Nature is dressed in her richest robes of green, slightly tinged with gold and brown. St. Paul is all astir. The streets are thronged with country wagons, loaded with produce; the business man passes on, with a brisk, determined step; the merchant at his counter is very busy, for the ladies are all out shopping, if we were to judge from the array of silks and ribbons in the streets; the lounger is, as usual, taking his ease about the doors of the detestable saloons; in short, "everybody is out," and when we are once out of the crowded street, inhaling the pure prairie breeze, we will not "look behind us, nor tarry in all the plain."
Ascending the bluff amid suburban residences and woodland scenes, we emerge into the first landscape ever spread out for the enjoyment of mortals. You are astonished at the thrifty farms and substantial buildings you see upon the way, and are half in doubt whether you are in the real or ideal world. You find it difficult to reconcile your mind to the fact, that this region has not been settled for ages. Flowers of gold and crimson are blooming along the way; and as we have started out on an excursion for enjoyment, let us draw it from every source.
