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and to here and a mile from Phoenicia we saw the locomotive and some freight cars on the track bringing ties and sails. We drove down to Ashokan, at Boiceville having to go over the hill on account of the washing away of the road, but it was lovely up on the hill side overlooking the valley & mountains. Drove to [[?]] at the station for dinner and then home where we arrived about 7, after a most charming tour which has [[?]] to me in a strange sweet way much of the past and of my first stay in the mountains. Found a letter from Miss Ford and one from Mary also one from Mary Gifford who has just returned from the Hot Springs but who is not very well. 

Friday June 3. 1881. It has rained nearly all day. I have been making preparations awaiting to go out to Lanes tomorrow with John McEntee but if the rain continues we will not go. Wrote to Mary Gifford telling her all about my trip. To Miss Nesmith and to Mary. Have been thinking much today, as indeed I do every day about dear Gertrude. I think my visit to the mountains and the places where we used to stay has brought her very near me again. John and I talked about her a great deal on our ride and all the old places had a kind of sacredness because she had been there with me.
  
Saturday 4. John McEntee, Girard and I went over to Lanes by the 2.45 train and arrived there before 6. Went out and fished before supper and caught a [[?]]. 

Sunday 5. After breakfast went up just below the upper chair[[?]] and all fished down the main stream A heavy rain came on about 4 o'clock. Caught about 100 small [[?]] between us. It was very pleasant out there and I would have liked to stay. Changed somewhat since I used to go there. Loretta the daughter has grown up to be a pretty young woman, Harvey almost a man and Charlie a big boy. The rail road is nearly graded above there some distance and the locomotive running to Chichesters. [[?]].

Monday 6. A splendid breezy morning. We left by the stage at 9 and at half past eleven were at home, having had a most delightful time- I thought I did not care so much to go to the mountains as I once did but I would like to go there and spend the summer. All my old love for this place has come back.