The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-20
Tour of the Cycling Ramblers.
CHAPTER V.

Reported for the Democratic Advocated
On Sunday morning the HANDLERS rejoiced at the
advent Of this day of rest and soon after breakfast
wandered To the top Of the Natural Bridge, Climb
ing again to the summit of Pulpit Rock our tourists
rested and with throhbing hearts enjoyed the mag
nibeentand tremendous spectacle. Descending into
tho FaVlne by the same path over which they had
passed the night before following along the rocky
bank Of Cedar Creek, suddenly before them they be-
held that which Thomas Jefferson called "the most
sublime OF natures works: struck at once with
wonder and awe at the sublimity of the scene and
the utter failure of all descriptions and pictures to
convey an idea of the reality their historian is i'm
pressed with the fact that his pen is utterly power
less to tell of the grandeur and beauty of the spot
Over head an irregular arch of rock. 60 feet wide
and GO feet thick spans chasm from GO TO 80 feet
wide. From the bed OF the stream below TO the
arch above the height is go feet. The whole arch
seems to be formed of one immense rock for the
slight ssures that are seen on the one eide SAID
On the right aid LETT the sides OF the bridge rise
like massive wall with it varied tins of gray and
brown contrasting beautifully with the green of the
arch. the slopng sides of the ravine. On its
nit the trees seemed only as garland Of ever
TO which it gives its name. The greater interest at
taches to this beautiful spot because il was first
owned by Thomas Jefferson. and in days long gone
by was visited by Marshall Monroe Clay. Hinton,
Jackson sam Houston and otheSs, whose names are
registered hers Of + MeEshsll Wrote calling this
RroteF Of The bridge. hot made with hands, thai
spans river, carries highway aud makes two
mountains one" As they gazed upon iGia mighty
expressed 10 the words of jefferson hMselfl at is
impossible for the emotions arising from the sub
lime TO he felt beyond what toy are here: so beau.
tfl an arch so elevated. light. and sprlnging as
i were up 70 heaysn Tho rapture of the spectator
bridge lovely vista gratified the eyes Of i6e RAM
blers The Blue mountains rising In the back
ground and beneath them the wooded hills gath
cred together and forming beautiful valley and
the sound of the flowing stream seemed to invite
the traveller to cooling shade and refreshing eaters
After climbing up the wall to a height above that
reached b. Washington when he carved his
here our tourists passed under the arch and en-
along the banks of the stream, passing Cathedral
wall beautifully covered by moses. lichens, vines
and eyergreens they came suddenly to the entrance
4 H. sa AZ %a1 o { E iS ysa s $ @
ment dqring the late war. Having entered spa
eons chamber with smooth roof and rocky Door,
from which there seemed to be no outlet save tho
entrance by which they had come they were about
% retire when ths SECRETARY passed through mar
sight Of his comrades. They followed Immediately
however, and all were soon Standing many feet be-
low the surface of the earth at the bottom of the
brought them TO low archway. opened in the
rocky side Of the mountain, FROM within the arch
hfhh @ " M6eb S slaE o a some ds
cavern TO one below the creek without entering the
sunlight Over the arch is out the legend
whoever drinks hare shall RETURN
Our tourists inspired by these words stopped and
drank long and deeply of the cool clear water that
bubbles up TO the entrance of the arch, hoping that
the legend might prove true prophecy Tor lhom
and that they with their wives might some day pay
another visit TO this pleasant valley Having crossed
the stream by narrow foot-bridge. our tourists
continued up the valley by rocky path, climbing
and descending ladders until they stood above Lace
Water Fall. Over the stream at this point was a
narrow log which was walked by three of the boys
while the other crossed in the way in which he was
accustomed to move in the days of his babyhOod.
Having spent seyerl hours here and in other parts
OF me gfeif they returned 10 the hotel at O'Clock
Ati2 O'clock they entered the dining hail. and the
wonders they ffIerp- we'll
aginea when il is said that they remained at the
table until $50 o'clock. - - =" . . = &c