title: In the Heart of the Rockies: A Story of Adventure in Colorado
author:  G A Henty 
description: G.A. Henty (1832-1902) was a prolific author and journalist in the 19th century. Drawing on his experience and knowledge as a war correspondent, Henty was a master of weaving history into his fictional stories about courageous young men living in difficult times marked by military conflict. His stories provide insight into some of the greatest conflicts of history while introducing the reader to characters that embodied the values of integrity, duty and virtue. While aimed at older children and teens, even adults will enjoy his writings.
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  **THE GRAND CAÑON OF THE COLORADO**
  
  by John Muir
  
  1902
  
  Happy nowadays is the tourist, with earth's wonders, new and old, spread
  invitingly open before him, and a host of able workers as his slaves making
  everything easy, padding plush about him, grading roads for him, boring
  tunnels, moving hills out of his way, eager, like the devil, to show him all
  the kingdoms of the world and their glory and foolishness, spiritualizing
  travel for him with lightning and steam, abolishing space and time and almost
  everything else. Little children and tender, pulpy people, as well as storm-
  seasoned explorers, may now go almost everywhere in smooth comfort, cross
  oceans and deserts scarce accessible to fishes and birds, and, dragged by
  steel horses, go up high mountains, riding gloriously beneath starry showers
  of sparks, ascending like Elijah in a whirlwind and chariot of fire.
  
  First of the wonders of the great West to be brought within reach of the
  tourist were the Yosemite and the Big