The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1881-06-04
AN ADVENTURE In VIRGINIA.

Several years ago / was compelled by
business to visit the thriving town of
s, situated IN southwestern Virginia.
in the heart of that wonderful region
where nature has so lavishly displayed
her work in rearing the lofty mountains,
beautiful valleys, mysterious caves, and
giving to mankind those perennial foun-
talns whence the very essence of ma
lures great restOratives well up with
every ripple of the health-giving waters.
1t was the latter part of the month of
May, that beautiful season when earth
assumes its fairest garb, and the crude
freshness of spring is giving place to the
profound splendor of approaching sum-
mer
Having transacted my business, de-
termined to make pedestrian excursion
to the beautiful village of M, stu
ated about twelve miles southwest of
s.; the road passed over and around
mountain, and the scenery along the
rent was said to be the most beautiful of
all the surrounding region.
| started about four o'clock on a bril-
liant afternoon, giving every indications
of delightful evening, calculating I
would reach the summit of the mountain
half way between s. and M by
eight o'clock, and from thence the way
being a descent, that | would arrive in
M by ten o'clock, and thus have the
double advantage of beholding sunset
and a moon rise III the Blue Ridge.
/ continued my way and gradually be-
came oblivious to everything but the
magnificent panorama, which was now
open to my view. [ even forgot the ex-
treme ruggedness of thepath, as [ gazed
enraptured upon each successive scene
which was so grandly, so beautifully re-
vealed to me.
The time thus passed UNDECIDED, until
the sun had nearly touched the western
HORIZON, and remembering one of the
chief objects of my tour, | determined
TO behold 1t in the most advantageous
manner possible.
About one hundred yards to the west
of the road there was a peak, or rather
an immense rock, which stretched up-
ward almost perpendicular, to the
height of nearly two hundred feet above
the mountain upon which [ stood, and of
which IT seemed a part. but was in real
lty mass, detached, perhaps, by some
awful throe of nature, resting upon its
own distinct base, which extended down
INTO the deep, dark valley, far beyond
the reach of vision; it was connected
with the mountain by spur jutting out
from the side of the mountain. which
was here vast precipice and rock shelly
ing out from the peak, each apparently
firmly joined to their respective princi-
pals. The spur and shelving rock mar
rowed gradually from both sides towards
the center, where they were connected
by an immense boulder. perhaps eight
feet in diameter, being wedged between,
thus forming a somewhat precarious look
ing causeway. Although the position of
the boulder was such as to give it the
appearance of being ever in the act of
falling, yet argued that having stood
the commissions of nature and the might
of the tempests thus long, nopuny effort
of mine could dislodge it from the posi-
ton where it had endured for ages; and
as the summit of the peak vas above
everything which / could observe sur
rounding, and the view from that point
would be totally unobstIucted, deter
mined TO risk crossing.
| passed over with great caution, and
after rough and exhausting effort,
reached the summit. | here found a