Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-08-07
LOCAL..
JAUNTs FOR THE HOT DAYS.
THROUGH GOSHEN PASS.


Our party left Bells VALLEY at O'CLOCK
Saturday morning, July 25th to speDd the
day amidst the grandeur OF this celeora-
ted mountain pass. made by natures Gre
ator for the delight and convenience OF
His creatures. We started on cur twelve
mile trip with the sky bright and clear,
and the roads in good condition. A hap
pier, merrler picnic party was never got
ten I'D. 1t was composed of individuals
from the four points of the compass as fol-
lows: Misses Bessie Handley and Browning
Mays of Lewisburg, W. Va, Misses Fan
ME Doyle and Mary Moore Brown of Nal
den, W. Va, Miss Hopkins Of Warm
Springs, Va, Misses Maggie Youell and
Matte Burke, and Messrs. Daniel Brown
and Walter Carson Of Bells Valley, Miss
Alice Dice and ur. w. A. Picker OF
Stanton; Misses Maggie Youell, Lillian
and Lula Craig and Ella Wallace, and
Messrs. Tom. Wallace and James Youell
of Craigsvll1e; Mr.. II. W. Leitch of Col
lierstoWn, Va, Mr.. and Miss Condor of
Baltimore, Mrs. Condor of Bells Valley;
Messrs. cambridge and Marshall Bell of
Goshen, Mr.. VIM. You'll of Gala Waters,
DR.. B. M. Smith and Mr.. Lud Morrison
of Rockbridge Baths.
We reached the pass about 10 O'Clock,
and spent the next hour winding our way
along the mountain road through this
grand labarynth of nature. Starting from
the Goshen side, we went through pass
about half a mile long, through the near
est mountain ridge and crossing a beauti-
full valley entered Goshen pass proper. On
our exit from this first gap, we came upon
number of ruins, consisting of stone
chimneys and walls on the left of the road,
whilst on the right was to be seen the
opening of small tunnel through the
hill, all apparently the remains of some
industrial establishment of years ago.
Further on, in the valley on the banks
of the river which flows alongside the
road. are more ruins and chlmneys, re-
minding one of the passage of hostile
army bent on destruction. The enemy
in this case has doubtless been Father
Time, whose work of destruction though
slow is sure. Going little further, the
grandeur of the place began to open up
before our anxious eyes.
Entering the narrow gap beyond the
valley, we went but short distance be-
fore our progress seemed shut off by a
huge mountain which rolls its form across
the pass; but on rounding the curve we
saw continuation of the pass through
this second obstacle. Going further this
is continually repeated until the noun
tain ranges are so close together. that
they form one continuous mass of precip-
itous heights, rising up on each side of
the river and road. The road is at times
low down in the bottom of the pass on
the bank of the river, at others high up
on the side of the mountain, with the
stream winding its way along far beneath
at the base of the perpendicular wall. The
rocks rise up in places in shelving and
cverhapging masses, for hundreds OF feet.
They then change their form and appear
as huge boulders, piled up IN the most
reckless confusion. reminding one of
Ovid's Mountain, built by the giants
that they might reach neaYen, which was
dIUGEWdEuS tuO pOioo
of Jove. The bed of the river IS filled
with rocks, which seem to have rolled
down the mountain side, some being as
large as a railroad car. 1t is possible at
almost any point to cross the river dry
stod, using these as stepping stones.
About half way through the pass is to
be seen small cottage, situated on the
mountain side, in romantic and pictur-
esuue DO sition, With patches of garden
interspersed hero and there among the
rocks, the whole reminding us of pictures
we have seen of the Swiss cottages in the
Alps. The scene was made interesting by
the appearance Of five tow heads at the
window as we passed. Some of our party
were curious to know whether that was a
case of love in cottage.
We were too late in the year to see the
pass clothed in the beauties of early sum
mer. but we think we would have exclaIm
ed with the illustrious Maury, "Carry me
through Goshen pass when the laurel is
in bloom.'' After winding our way for a
distance of four miles, we at last emerged
at the Wilson Springs. on the lawn of
which our picnic was hsld. After rest
ing some time in the shade Of the spread
ing oaks, it was decided tc investigate the
treasures contained ia number of bas-
kets provided by the ladies of the party.
Our table was the solid ground. covered
first with the living green and afterwards
with linen cloths. Had it been less sub
ssantial it would have broken under the
great weight Of good things which loaded
it down.
After spending the afternoon in social
intercourse. climbing over the rocks,
gathering flowers and ferns, rolling ten
pins, &c, the time came to leave, and we
started for home, "a tired, but happy crowd.
We venture to say, that no one in the
party will ever forget that day, and the
trip through Goshen pass.
MoNTANUs.
PICNIC AND FISHING PARTY.
Reported for the STAUNToN VINDICAToR.1
Ga last Friday, a Picnic and Fishing
Party were given by the young people Oh
Mt. Meridian and vicinity in honor OF
Misses Dora PtQon anu AHA ItTRlnS
1.-TWO charming young ladies from Georgia
who are visiting their schoolmates, Misses
Layinia Patterson and Lucy R,ltefl, anl
Miss Jennie Leckie, an accomplished
young lady who is visiting her cousin,
Miss Roller. The party consisted OF nine
or ten young ladies and as many young
gentlemen, who assembled at a soasonabi
hour in the morning and amused them
selves by fishing, swinging. and boat
riding until it was unanimously declare.