--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Halls, William collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 22 number: 9 published: 1919-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Halls, William, "The Cost," *Improvement Era* 22, no. 9 (July 1919): 761–762.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2209unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2209unse start_page: 761 end_page: 762 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1919-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2209unse publication_year: 1919 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1919, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Cost Bear Lake, the Beautiful By Ezra J. Poulsen Bear Lake is one of Nature's beauty spots. Tranquilly nestled among the highlands of northern Utah and Southeastern Idaho, it is a byway where the traveler loves to linger, and where the music of the wild is ever resounding. Sky and lake and mountains, alike are radiant with the colorful harmony of the Great Artist whose handiwork is always good. The tourist who motors over the Logan road from the west, and gets his first glimpse of the placid water mirror, surrounded by its rim of verdant hills, cannot fail to be enthusiastic in his admiration. And most certainly will this be true if that exquisite experience occurs in the glow of a summer sunset, or in the smiling brightness of a sunrise. Then there are other ways to be introduced to Bear Lake. One may approach from the south, via Laketown canyon; or from the north, traversing the entire length of the fertile Bear Lake valley; but the result is always the same,— it is Bear Lake, the beautiful. A number of inviting stopping places nestle among the shady nooks along the western shore line to lure the passerby to Elysian rest; and it is a rare joy, indeed, to loll away the hours, fanned by the gentle zephyrs from the hills and the water, while the sunlight and the shadows play hide and seek in the folds of Nature's garments. The oldest established resort is Fish Haven, with its widespreading cottonwoods and russet birches. From early pioneer times, it has been the rendezvous of many a picnic of the good, old-fashioned Sunday school and old folks type. The greensward, under the trees, is ideal for camping, and numerous are the revelries that have livened those verdant groves in the days that are gone. Of late years an aspect of modernity has been invading the quietude of Fish Haven. Through the enterprising operations of the Stocks brothers, a new pavilion now stands on the grounds, and a number of summer cottages have been built. The result is altogether pleasing, for the convenience of the new unites with the charm of the old to make the place attractive. A few miles southward, at Swan Creek, the new Lakota is becoming a favorite stopping place. It has a big, hot water swimming pool, and commodious grounds that melt into rare vistas of mountain and water. "Lakota" is an Indian name, meaning silvery waters; and no one can experience one of its TGt IMPROVEMENT KK magnificent moonlight nights without feeling it to be all that the name suggests. Another attraction of the vicinity is the Swan Creek spring, a torrent of mountain water, rising in a crystal pool from its bed of solid rock; thence it rushes in cascades and reaches to meet the lake a short distance away. But pass on still southward to Ideal Beach, located on the big bend that marks the southern terminus of the lake. Here the view is majestic, and a most ambitious little resort is to be seen. In fact, there is something ocean-like about Ideal Beach, with its glistening sands, and sea breezes. The small bungalow hotel is always full to overflowing during the open season, as are the summer cottages and tents. The Oldtown canoes likewise are kept busily afloat, and the balmy afternoons see the glassy water filled with bathers. Wherever you go along the meandering lake shore, you find the way an unending delight. The road is a gray ribbon of dustless hardpan that weaves a border between the green slopes of the hills and the blue water. There are miles of variegated scenery; sometimes widening into quiet, sequestered villages: sometimes narrowing to the mere width of the roadway; but always including a rich expanse of earth, water, and silken sky. Bear Lake is still in the bloom of springtime when the lower altitudes are baking in the heat of early summer; and even during the sultry days of July and August it never loses the soothing coolness that is one of its most subtle charms. The evening breezes, ozone laden, and mingled with the scent of fresh water, often stir the air into drowsy movements that are magic in their refreshing power; and even in the absence of the breeze, the swift, oncoming night is always cool and fragrant; and slumber is an undisturbed joy. When the heat of Summer is oppressive, and when the ways of toil have become irksome; if you would rest, and be free, amid surroundings that God intended to be a haven of delight, go to Bear Lake.