Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-31
NATURAL BRIDGE.
Pleasant Trip Up the James-Riyer Valley
Mountain Scenery-Loyely Drives, &c.

Pleasant Trip Up the James-River Valley
Mountain Scenery-LoveIy Drives, nc.
tCorrespOndence Of the Richmond Dispaich.l
AUGUST %, 1884.
With a number Of pleasant companions
started from your city u few days ago by
WAY of the Richmond and Alleg hany rail-
road for this beautiful summer resort. The
trip was, indeed, delightful one. What
endless variety OF lovely scenery this route
affords, especially at this season. The
foliage and flowers are luxurious. The
vast fields Of corn, tobacco, hay, and
cover-the hay and clover in many places
cut and stacked in the fields. the corn
and tobacco growing beautifully-pre-
scnted a panorama OF beauty delight
full TO look upon. And then after you
pass Lynchburg-which city appeared
to be lively and busy the mountains
come into view, and the scenery grows
grand and grander as you proceed. OBJ,
what grand and delightful views the lovely
Valley OF the James affords | assure you
| enjoyed TO the fullest the pleasures OF
the trip. Upon our arrival at the Natural
Bridge station we found several stages and
omnbuses awaiting Us, and after drive Of
about two miles we were landed at Forest
the hotels were pretty well filled up, and it
was with some difficulty and considerable
eConomiZIng Of space that the newcomers,
numbering about fifty or sixty, could be
stored away.
There are three hotels here now-Forest
Inn, Pavilion, and Appledore-and they
are very nearly perfect in their appoint
ments. The rooms are tastefully frescOed,
csrpeted, and furnished In cherry, and the
fare is all that could be desired.
Under the attentive and watchtul super
vision Of the manager, Mr.. Eugene g. Pey-
ton. the place will be compelled to improve
and grow in popularity. A number Of our
party expressed their regrets at not meet
ing with Ned Fisher, the former polite and
efficient manager OF the place.
Colonel ii. c. Parsons, the proprietor OF
this property, is spending the summer
here. and is untiring in his exertions TO
please his guests.
But the bridge-the Natural Bridge
what can say OF III No written descrip-
ton or Illustration has ever given correct
idea Of the grandeur. You must see IL TO
know what it Is.
allow wonderfully weird and picturesque
This masterpiece OF natures handiwork!"
No preconceived idea Of this great work
OF nature ever approaches the reality, and
il will ever stand as a wonder OF the world.
The first sensation OF the beh0lder Is one
OF awe and utter establishment, and as bis
mind gradually comprehends the sublimity
of lis vast proportions he is struck with the
total inadequacy Of the descriptions he has
read and the illustrations he has seen. To
stand upon Pulpit rock and the elevated
position opposite, and then 10 descend "a
the glen below. where the slow-running
waters Of Cedar creek wend their way "a
the river, and look at this great creation Of
nature Is indeed great privilege.
Among the many attractions OF this place
are the splendid drives, extending alto
gethcr about eight miles. One OF the drives
| takes you TO Mars Hill, Mount Jefferson
| (where there Is an observatory, and Thou.
| sand Pines. The other carries you TO Leba.
| non, Elmwood, Mount Maury, Hundred
Oaks, Lincoln Heights, and Cave Mountain
| These drives afford unsurpassed facilities
for sightseeing, rs the locality Is complete
" enclosed by grand mountain ranges
| There are a great many Richmond people
| here, embracing many pretty girls and
| handsome married women. Richmond
| generally holds her own In this respect
| but, as the arrivals are published weekly In
the Dispatch, 1t is not necessary to cal
\ names.
l do not admire tie way the post-offict
| is attended to here. find II somewhat
troublesome TO obtain my mail. The pest
office adjoins a store, situated short dis
lance from Forest Inn Hotel-and YER,
good store It II, too-and every time hav,
been to the post.office l have found tn,
postmaster In the store and the post-oiIic,
locked up. In consequence, there Is un
necessary waiting.
Appledors Is the most elevated Of th,