Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1867-06-28
For the Vindicator. x
Pedestrian Excursion to the Natural Bridge
and Peaks of otter by several members
Of the Lexington Law Class.
TFor the Vindicator
FIRST DAY

Prepared with thick soled shoes, heavy
walking canes and light hearts, not to men
ton suspicious looking straw covered flask
pceping out OF the side pocket Of our Ken
lucky friend, three of US left Lexington on
the evening Of the 18th inst. Our purpose
was to visit on foot the two great natural
curiosities Of Virginia, the Natural Bridge
and Peaks Of Otter. We began the trip not
without misgivings A walk of more than
sixty miles over rough and mountainous
country lay ahead Of US Friends gave us
no encouragement They laughed at the
folly Of the undertaking and assured us that
after walking few miles we would be glad
to retrace our steps. But we resolutely
made up our minds not to be frightened out
of the excursion besides. two fold expert
ence made us feel competent to the task
We had all been soldiers in the army during
the war and students in Lexington during
the past winter:-as the former, we had
learned to walk long distances over rough
country-as the latter, to wade through
deep mud over defunct pavements.
We found the roads better than we expec-
ted. The sun and wind of the morning had
dried and hardened them, while the continu-
GUS travel to and from the Court House du-
ring the preceding week had made good
crossings over the larger mudholes. The
fresh scenery that greeted US at every turn
kept down fatigue. Laughing, talking, jok-
ing, we went gaily along Vest Virginia
with his long legs leading the way, Ala6ona
in the centre and Kentuck bringing up the
rear. When some distant mountain view
would suddenly burst upon the vision, Ala
bana would halt to dot down an item Ken
tuch would wipe the perspiration from his
face and exclaim in the language Of the old
lady who had just been baptized -" Bully"
while West Virginia would take long
ing look at the flask.
The evening was pleasant just such an
one as we may suppose Southey delighted in.
The air was filled with the perfume Of early
spring blossoms. A beautiful, though not
cloudless, sky was overhead. On both
sides of us. skirted partly by woods and
partly by cream and pink Powered fruit
trees, were sloping fields, some green with
growing wheat and others marked with the
ploughman's recent labor.
Far above the immediate hills stood the
mountains in the "gray distance" while way
off toward the South we could plainly discern
one of our points of destination-the celebra-
ted Peaks of Otter. The farms along the
rout seemed with some exceptions to be in
good state of cultivation. We passed sew
eral beautiful and many substantial country
residences. The s'Travelers Inn,' located
about miles S. W. Of Lexington, on the
Natural Bridge Turnpike, attracted the at
tention Of our Kentucky friend. AS he
walked slowly by, he could not resist giving
expression to his feelings. Pointing his
cane in the direction of the old fashioned sign
board which hung on the roadside, he ex-
claimed BuVy" (Aza6anes THIS time
took look at the flask, while Vest Virginia
bowed politely to the robust, healthy looking
old lady on the porch.) Toward the close
of the evening we passed Fancy Hill Acade-
nv. This building, Standing on the brow
Of a commanding hill to the left Of the road
as you approach it from Lexington, is well
calculated to arrest the attention Of the tray
eller. Unlike most Of the public buildings
in the Valley. its style of architecture is Of a
light and graceful character, resembling the
school buildings of some of the extreme
Southern States. Instead of presenting the
appearance Of prison fortress, as do too
many of our Virginia houses, it has a neat,
comfortable and inviting air about it, which
cannot fail to please both pupil and visitor.
We were glad to learn that this school, I'M
der an ablecorps Of teachers, enjoys an ex-
tensivere putation.
We accomplished but eight miles this first
Notwithstanding something over two
miles an hour. We spent the night with
DR.. C-who lives in pretty cottage
about half mile beyond the Academy. TO
him and his agreeable lady, we are indebted
! for much kindnes and genuine old Virginia