Big Excursion Depart for Blewett on Sunday
Road Was in Fine Shape and Everyone Enjoyed Trip
Many Boosters Were in Attendance

Leavenworth Echo
May 14, 1915

In spite of the fact that it rained most of the day, some thirty-odd automobilists made the excursion trip over the Blewett road to the summit last Sunday. We have heard of no one who went from this city, but Cashmere, Peshastin, Monitor, Wenatchee, Waterville
and Coulee City were represented.

About fifteen autoloads came up from Cle Elum, Roslyn and Ellensburg and met the Chelan county party on the summit, where all joined together for lunch. Everyone who made the trip enjoyed it immensely and those familiar with the Colockum pass road stated that the Blewett route was greatly superior.

The road is in better shape, the grades easier, and an abundant water supply —which cannot be said about the road crossing the mountains below Wenatchee. Addresses were delivered by Frank Reeves and C. B. Hughes of Wenatchee, H. W. Otis of Peshastin, J. A. Balmer, Frank Carpenter and A. A. Batterson of Cle Elum, G. K. Aiken of Roslyn and Frank Fretwell of Seattle. 

Before starting on the return trip pledges were made by the excursionists to advertise the road as the most feasible route for the thousands of eastern touring parties who are planning the overland trip to the coast this summer.

Several motorists experienced some trouble on account of the slippery roads, due to the rain, but not an accident happened during the day. The wonderful scenery along the way interested the excursionists and from all reports everyone was highly in favor of making it the main route over the mountains to connect with the Snoqualmie pass highway.

Tom Parish, Chelan county road supervisor, deserves much credit for the good condition that the road is now in. He personally looked after the work and spent the little money available this year to the very best possible advantage.

When in Leavenworth Wednesday Mr. Parish told an Echo reporter that there was yet some work to be done on the road in the way of building bridges and widening the road at some points, and when this was completed something over a $1000 will have been spent this season by the county between Ingalls creek and the summit. 

He says there are four small bridges to be put in which will be built jointly by Chelan county and the forestry department, the county furnishing the lumber and the government taking care of the payroll. The county commissioners have also hired a man to look after the maintenance of the road this summer.