The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-08-23
Chr 9DRstern aJRmotrat.
CHARLOTTE, N. c.
For tie Western Democrat.
A TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS---THE
TABLE ROCK.

TABLE ROCK.
Mr. EDITOR: Having left my low-and home
an errand of duty to the town of Morganton, L
concluded to spend few days of recreation in the
mountainous regions. The town of MorgantOn
presents the appearance of very old settled place.
it wears but few gns of enterprise. No doubt the
place will be greatly benefited by the completion
of the RAILROAD to that point. The town is situated
on a high elevation and is surrounded by an OK
panse of the most beautiful mountain scenery, and
everything cOnSpires to render it attractive and
lovely in summer time. While enjoying a view
from the Observatory on the top Of the Walton
House. and admiring the surrounding mountains
| was particularly interested my gaze struck the
famed Table Rock, whose grim, bleak rocky sides
doomed up distinctly above the neighboring peaks
Table Rock is about IL miles from MorgantOn
Selecting Piedmont Springs as point from which
to make visit to this great natural curiosity, set
out from MorgantOn and passed by a number of
fine farms on the fertile banks of the Catawba. /
soon came in contact with the Mountains, and by
some tedious windings over them, descended into Il
narrow valley and pursued my way along the banks
of beautiful stream whose waters overhung by
the thick foliage of the evergreen, laurel and ivy,
flow over its rock paved channel in all its noun
tain purity A few miles up the banks Of this
romantic stream is situated Piedmont Springs, and
for natural beauty and loveliness Of situation | ven
ture to say is unsurpassed by any other watering
place in the country. After enjoying 4 refreshing
nights sleep here, | procured guide, and in COM
pany with party, started on horseback Tor the
MOLntainS. Leaving the main road, we wended
our way a and difficult path, sometimes
ascending some lofty peak and then descending
into a narrow valley jutted in 10y the almost per-
pendcular sides Of the contiguous mountains.
About noon We found ourselves ascending the ee-
walton which was situated the object Of
curiosity; and after tosOme ascent of mile and
i quarter We found ourselves on level ground at
the base of the vast tabular rock and gazcd in ST.
lent wonder at its rock girt sides The pinnacle,
except a space on the south side, is one vast per-
pendcular wall Of rock Of cylindrical proportions
varying from $50 to 800 feet in height. The south
side is series Of rugged cliffs, occasionally inter-
laid with LIGHT Surface of soil on which grow low,
suntcd shrubbery. From this side we gained the
summit over IL difficult and somewhat dangerous
foOt-way. The first thing that struck our eye
the slender, isolated columns of rock about half
way up the sides Of an adjacent knob standing per-
fectly erect within few yards Of each other, and
seemed to be $50 feet high. These are called the
"Chimneys," from the resemblance they bear to
that piece of mans architecture. The mountains
on the southern view rose up, some in the soft
beauty of rich verdure, while others presented a
grim rock yside surface, holding nature grandly
in her widest contrast. Far below in the dis
lance lay spread out TIE beautiful farms the
banks OF the CataWDa, which river winds Its ser
pentine course from the pure Springs Of these
mountains through the distant valleys to the sunny
lowlanGs there but to change its beautiful Indian
name. Our guide conducted us to place called
the Cellar" through deep gorge in the north
western side of the rock which seems to have been
cleft asunder by some powerful CONFUSION of ma
ture. We descended through this narrow dcfe
by means of natural steps to the Cellar" which
we found to be considerable cave in the solid rock
As We failed to provide light We were unable to
take the dimensions.
Ascending again to the top Of the rock, COM
menced the task of descending. While looking
down the rugged foot-way wondered who first
surveyed its meanderngs, and were informed by
cur guide that when first known it was an old In
dian trail over which they passed their pilgrim
age to this tar-famed rock This incident sug-
gested to our mind the changes that have taken
place since those dusky children of the forest
roamed in freedom their unbroken plains and
chased the deer over the cragSy hills of their
tive land. The Indians have long since retired to
their perennial hunting grounds and their places
are now occupied by the white man with extended
farms and pleasant habitations.
We slowly retraced our steps and again found
ourselves at stopping place, feeling richly re-
paid for fatigue by the visit to the rock.
TO those who have taste for the romantic, we
would say visit this region and you will be more
than gratifed. R**