Wilmington journal., 1874-07-24
Western North Carolina.
All Aboard for ReedY-Patch Gap.
Chimney Rock, Falls, Pools, EsaId
Mountain and Other Points OF
Importance in Western NOrth
Carolina

DEAR JOURNAL--ErOGn our present
standpoint, in the charming little
town OF Hendersonviilc, which, fer the
beauty of its elevated situation. its
springs of pure water, its salIbrious
air and commanding view OF sur
rounding prominent mountains, may
we'll assert its claims to q position of
Increasing attraction, we are ready to
say, II aboard for Old Badly" | u
der The crack of the drivers whip.
our noble span of ''horse high and bun
strong mules soon put a woody space
between us and the spot Whereon q
few Ininntes before We stoud gazing
on natures heaps Of tue "magnificcntly
grand. For ten miles We pass along
an elegant rDad-main tEorougi,iare
between Hendersonville' and Ashe-
vile. Now and then a stake ma- be
seen marking the line of the railroad
survey between ,Cincinnati and
Charleston. - H.:i- 'i'.' '.5-.
Here and there on ether side of this
delightful highway, are the tokens OF
improvements III. the industrial prr-
Suits. Col. Rice now "speeds the
plow' ON what a few years aeo were
known as the old fields OF the ''I{urar''
plantation. Col. Portland. from BAL
tiInore, has succeeded IN Transforming 2
a wilderness into a garden. IN the
midst of which on beautiful cmi-
nence. he is about completing most
attractive edifice, overlooking mead
ows of the choices grasses. Gliding
on through this valley Of rare fertility
we are presently greeted with view
of the corn. growing: Cane creek bot
TOMS. Over yonder, on the left hand
is seen the palatial residence Of "Con-
sui" Westfelt, beautiful for situation,
costly in construction, commanding an
extensive survey of Il $50, coo
farm-at the conGue zee of Cane creek
and the French Broad river. Al this
point on our ten miles Of turnpike
road, we lose sight of &. picture ia ma
ture's gallery, presented ever and
anon in grand contrast with the plains
below, by the mai iiestic summit Of the
Pisgah range.
Turning to the right, at Fletcher S
passing farm after arm. of the most
productive quality. well attested by
the luxuriance OF growing crops,
sheaves of small grain and stacks OF
freshly cut clover and grass.
AS the last rays of the setting sun
were dancing in the aicy portals ci
natures own granite palaces, we s;of
for the night at the comfortable rcsi-
dence of Mr.. James Toms, TO whose
| characteristic kindly attentions We
shall ever feel indebted, as greatly en-
hancing our enjoyment of the trip aud
our appreciation of good old Bun
combe style of living. Here. We are
within five miles Of Hickory MT CAP
! SO balmy Is the air,so clear IS t]IC shy
we are charmed with the peculiar
| brightness of "his culHetship.' Eat
at an early iiulsr We are disposed t,
close our eyes OH the ''n.Iiv"rsai IL
ness CT things dreaming the iprry
| hours away IN til, sweet embrace -:
refreshing slnmief's The morning
sun greets us with tHc promise. nf new
beauties in the lights and .,h::dcs al
days observations, Ascending {
| gentle siorc, the hour cf riuc iio;ts II
1T the Gap or Pass.
Here We euter the descending aisle
into one ofsnature's grand amphitIoa
ters, and as we hasten along, there
seems to be passing, IN ever changing
| scenery, most magnificent panorama
CENTRE VIEW.
Cast your eye mp to The verge O
yonder precipice-behoid, hanging
down from its height, what seems te
| be but ribbon thrown out from a.
| open window in the sky, ard You have
view of Hickory MT Falls. A little
to the left on the east SIDE of tie
| noun tain. massive pile Of rock ris
| ing perpendicularly about two hund
red feet, as if designed to convey
through an imaginary tiue, the smoke
from yet undiscovered habitatioDs
(sub-montes,l you catch a view Of the
far famed Chimney Rock. Apparently
about stones throw yet not less
two miles, from this structure are the
noted pools about which such mar
velous things have been said; for in.
stance, by some they have been repre-
sented as whirlpools. fathomless, and
withal, very dangerous, to such as are
unacquainted with these subterrauean
passes. Unwilling to forego pleas
ure 80 charming rs that of bathing il
this wonderful basin, overtiowing with
the most beautiful embiela Of purity,
and being desirous C?) of testing its
vertical force, We ventured, ard ode
like O dat never before was known
by our frightful guide. In due time
we joined the female portion of our
party at the Chimney Rock Hotel, and
there we were Hospitality erte. tanned
by Col. James III. Justice, custodian
OF