Livermore Pass,
Which is either a valley or a hill, according to whether one reckons downward from the higher summits on either side, or upward from the lower level at either end. Eight miles from Altamont we stop at
Livermore,
A rapidly-growing village in the beautiful Livermore Valley, forty-seven miles from San Francisco. From this station down to
Pleasanton,
Is only six miles, and they are pleasant 'uns indeed. A thriving town, finely situated and beautifully surrounded.
Thence rolling rapidly down the tortuous track, we skirt along the bases of high hills, follow the windings of a charming little narrow valley, rumbling through two or three strong frame bridges, for twelve miles, when
Niles,
And its junction, with "change cars for San José," notify us that we have fairly passed the hills, and entered upon the fertile plains which gently slope from the foothills to the bay, whose southern portion is our first glimpse of Pacific salt water. At Niles we can take the San José cars, and go round, through that city, to San Francisco, all the way by land, if we particularly desire to accomplish the whole transit on wheels. If we do that, we shall travel forty miles further than by keeping straight on from Niles through
Decoto,