Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-01-07

., OOoulllul streams in the whole
u tne mountain country, and winds through
ioVely and fertile valley. As Vale Crw.
cas- was only mile from camp, aud the
sun Was not yet down, we concluded to
visit the place, and also the falls of the
same name. Near these was once a four.
lshing Academy, under the supervision Of
tno Episcopal Church. The school has
now gone down and the whole place ha,
ratner dilapidatel appearance. tbouph
sun very pretty. In the Chapel we saw a
considerable curiosity in the way of a chair
winch we wouli call "chair not mad
WIN hands, as it was formed from the
natural growth of the laurel. After look.
ing at the chapel for some time We proceed.
ed to the falls. fOo00
AS the season had been quite dry, the
iaiis oid not present as fine appearance as
usual. The water falls almost perpepdicn-
larly about seventy feet into larre basin
Inc approaching gloom warned US to de.
part'-gathering few mementoes we re-
turned to camp. That night we had somc
rare fun,-Dr. Spooncy as usual conyulsino
the ! company with his rich and varied anec
dotes and spicy conundrums.
1h"rSfdy 3lst-Shortly after starting
VIC took delightful bath in the cool
sparkling tide of the Watauga, plunoino
from high rock into thirty feet water
al noon we were at "ShulPs Mill" and
there the first shower of rain fell on ne
that had fallen on US since we had left
home. ! Leaving the turnpike here and ta-
King the right we travelled six miles through
one OF the widest, toughest most uuciyiI-
ized, and uncutivatcd parts ofthe country
1nat II has ever been our lot to travel in
l felt as If was half mile or so bevond
the borders of civilization. At niebt W..
came to a suitable place to camp and dub
bed it Camp Aldrldge."
The gloomy solitude of the place. the
of the wind as it passed through
me lofty trees, tie dull sound of the river
as 1t rushed over its rocky bottom. and The
hooting Of the owl, which by the vay al
most "makes each particular hair to stand
on end, like dristles on a puppy-arorgi.ed
p'g," all conspired to deprcss our spirits
but as usual supper brought on its freight
OF fun, as well as young chickens.
august lst.-All were up early prepar-
ing TO ascend the Grandfather. After
'trapplng our sunday blankets, Quilts. over
coats, provision ETC., our guide, a good-na-
tured, klnd-hearted, garrulous sort of a
Diped, led the way. After walking about
two miles, Guide told US that it was two
miles to the top, and we might prepare for
SHINING. stumbling and othar
little mlshaps incident to travelling a blind
trail up rough mountain.
The ascent, as We had anticipated, was
steep and rugged, the first part the steep
est, but the last, the toughest After toll
ing up for some distance we found fresh
signs of a gang of turkeys Guide and
Jour, being the only ones who had guns,
took short hunt for them, but failed to
find them. All along the way we saw
sign of bear and deer, and Guide said they
were quite plenty.
About quarter of mile from the top
we came to the "Shandy Rock, about
one hundred and fifty feet in length and
thirtyin height projecting over From be-
meath this flows spring of the coldest water
We ever drank-Guide said it was so cold
it would not resolre honey.
Thermometer 41o in the spring, and
about 65o in the air. Suddenly it cloud
ed up and gave indications of rain, so
we concluded to wait and take dinner
Shortly the rain commenced pouring down
in torrents, accompanied with bright flashes
of lightning, and the genuine unadulterated
thunder To one on a mountain dbove, a
storm is sublime sight, but to be 6ezoao it,
Is quite different thing During the rain
some of the Rangers were trying to keep
from freezing, by wrapping up in their
blankets, (rather novel sight for August)
and others were busily engaged in engrav-
ing their sweetheart's names and should
any ofthem ever chance to visit the 1Shan-
dy Rock" they may see them. After an
hour or so the sun shone out and We again
took up the line of march. The ascent
from this place is quite difficult the
mountain being strewed with heaps of fallen
hr, any amount of rocks, and the assures
between them covered with moss, makes it
not only difficult, but somewhat dangerous
Some idea may be had Of the place when
we say that In many places bear and deer
have to 60 on their all fours.
BY dint Of hard climbing and crawling
and hol-ing to the bushes, We reached the
summit at about 2 p. NJ, perfectly worn
out with fatigue
We were now on the summit of the noble
Grsnd-faiher, except the Black, the highest
mountain east of the Rocky mountains
After divesting ourselves of our baggage,
We repaired TO the western side, and al
though the late rain had rendered the at
mosphere somewhat hazy, yet one of the
finest and most extensive views lay before
US We ever beheld Nothing but vast
succession Of mountains, with their rocky
sides and heavcn-kissing peaks, standing
up in their native ruggedness and grandeur,
meet the eye. Far in the distance the soft
blsc of Cumberland mountains blends with
the horizon and bounds the scene.
In some direction the scenery is as un-
tanned as Nature herself; and one can
scarcely resist the impression that the Red
Mau is still rowing in the depths of those
dense forests.
Should any person be dropped down here
ignorant of bis locality, he might imagine
himself among the mountains of Switzer-
land, or the Highlands of Scotland. Here
the eye might gaze forever on the grand
panorama and not weary.
After viewing the scenery for some time
we went to the Eastern side, and by climb
iDg the FIR trees that grew on lofty pre-