and are thinking
of building a hotel.

The circuit of the "loop" reminds me of roving around upon the rim of a
very large and shallow spoon, tilted upward toward Mentone at the
smaller end. San Bernardino is 1075 feet above the sea, and Mentone 1640
feet. At that point we have nearly climbed the foothills, and are very
close to the great mountains themselves. As we skim around upon the
upper side of the "loop," the long gradual slope from the foot of the
mountains to the stream at the centre of the valley seems an ideal
conformation for leading the irrigation streams from the mountains along
the rows of orange trees which will soon entirely cover this valley.

Four miles from San Bernardino is the station of Arrowhead, from which
we have a near view of the peak of nature which gives the place its
name. It is a bare, gravelly tract on the side of the mountain, which,
in contrast with the chaparral about it, takes the shape of an Indian
arrowhead with a portion of the shaft attached. Covering a large area,
the arrowhead is a landmark for many miles around. I could not help
thinking that if a gang of Italian laborers were employed for a few days
sharpening the outline of the arrowhead by cutting away bushes along the
edge, and setting out others judiciously in the converted background,
the effect of this interesting natural phenomenon might be much
brightened. There are hot-springs at Arrowhead, and a hotel renders the
varied attractions of the place available.

While we are kiting along let me tell you what I know about baskets
made by the Indian women of the Pacific Coast of now and long ago, the
last considered valuable and now commanding high prices. There are
several experts on this subject in Pasadena--Mrs. Lowe, ex-Mayor Lukens,
Mrs. Jeanne C. Carr, and Mrs. Belle Jewett, who has the most precious
collection of all.

Mrs. Lowe has gathered together for her Basement Museum, which any State
would be proud to own, all that she could find of special interest
relative to the Indians of California--clothing, headdress, weapons,
medicine charms, money, beads, and of course many baskets, for baskets
are as indispensable to the Indian as the reindeer to the Esquimau. They
were used as cradles, caps for the head when carrying burdens, wardrobes
for garments not in use, granaries on roof, sifters for pounded meal,
for carrying water, and keeping it for use, for cooking, receptacles for
money, plaques to gamble on, and so o