Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-07-15
Some of the North Carolina Resorts.

Some of the North Carolina Resorts.
There is portion of the Uniei States to
which the great majority of travellers for
pleasure and health are as yet strangers,
but which comprises 30 many attractions of
climate, scenery, and enjoyable living that
those who have once visited it wonder why
everybody does not go there, Will, they de-
clare thai they themselves will of.en revisit
it. This charming region is in the "sky
land" Of southwestern North Carolina on
the borders Of Tennssee and Georgia. The
writer being called TO Washington by bust.
ness last March and meeting Mr.. James l..
Taylor, general passenger agent of the Rich.
mond and panVille system, popularity known
as the Piedmont Air Line, learned so much
about the altractiveness of this southern
mountain region, especially 10 the early
spring time when the ground is bare and
the sir is raw Throughout The northern por
,ion Of the continent, that he decided to
change his plans and visit it.
The train eysSom of tho Piedmont Air
Line is so complete and the time made ia 30
good that It is now very easy aud pleasant
matter 10 slide from northern latitude
down into the southern land Of sun, aud the
trip requires but very few hours. Taking
one of the new and luxurious Pullman sleep
ers with which the road is equipped. and
which start from the fine station of
the Baltimore end Potomac in rthe
heart of Washington oiiy the journey be
gins at l p. m. While the traveller sleeps
the train pushes south through Alexandria,
Manassas, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and
other historic aud besutiful places of Yir.
giuia and ct breakfast time he finds himself
1T Danville, near the southern border of the
old Dominion State. The days ride that
follows, through the green and fertile fields
of northern North Carolins by way of
Greensboro aud Salisbury, and thence over
the western North Carolina railroad divi-
sion up and over the Blus Ridge and along
side OF the charming French Broad river,
s oDe long to be remembered, Ii he has
not before. or within comparatively short
time journeyed over the Richmond and Dan.
Vile aud if he commences his trip with the
still not uncommon impression that southern
railways are far in the rear In respect to
character aud equipment compared with
these OF the North ne will be constantly
filed with surprise. He will be surprised at
the solidity OF the road way and the smooth.
ness Of the track with its heavy steel rsils !;
at the substantial character of the iron and
SlS6l UElUScS buO ACdU pnQ LnotClui uP-
pearance of many of the station buildings; at
the length of the passenger trains and the
freshness and elegance of the cars; at the
number of through sleepers of latest design,
the appearance Of whose occupants indicates
this to be one of the great highways of win
ter travel southward as we'll as summer
travel northward, and at the high speed of
the trains, which compares faVorabiy with
that made on the best roads of the east and
west.
The special destination on the trip refer.
red to was the famed mountain region of
western North Carolina, to reach which the
main line Ia left at Salisbury, the transfer
being easily made from the Pullman sleeper
to the Pullman psrlor car of newest design.
The Journey from this point is over the
Western North Carolina railroad, known as
the "French Broad route" which extends
from Salisbury to the Tennessee line, 100
miles, with branch from Asheville which
is being extended southwesterly to the Geor.
ola line to meet the Marietta & North Geor-
gia road. In 1856 the road was leased to
the Richmond & Dauvile company and has
been brought up to q high state of efficiency.
The four or FIVE hours which are consumed
In the rapid run from Salisbury to Asheville
are very enjoy able and the last two hours or
80, including the corkscrew-like climb up the
green hanks OF the Blue Ridge, the quiet
passage through the long Swannanoa tuu-
mel by which the summit was finally con-
quered, and the easy descent by the side OF
the beautiful French Broad, which grows
from mountain stream to broad river
under the travellers eye is full Of peculiar
attractions.
The portion of the road from the Round
Knob to the summit, eight miles, presents
one of the finest achievements of civil epgt.
neering on this continent The line twists
and turns and doubles itself on its own
track in 80 many crooked trails that 1t often
puts the passenger in doubt whether he is
going up or coming back, and while he ga
zes out of one window to discover the route
above, his eyes penetrate into some oeep
gorge when he sees the thread like track
over which he has already come, and before
he can satisfy his senses that he did actually
come from that depth, he goes around some
juttipg promontory of rock, and the eceDes
out from view. The train rolls easily along
and lodging the coves but ever ascending
higher and higher until with bound it
plunges into the tunnel through which 1t
burrows under the gap, and after 9 mo.
ment's suspense emerges into the light of
day on the western elope of the Blue Ridge.
The mountain scenery here presents lit
tie that is savage and rough, but its slopes
and submits are verdant and restful to the
sight. The foliage is wonderful in it's va
riety and profusion, especially along the
tree and vine lined river, and the March air
is soft and warm and yet delightfully."- inVig-
Grating. To be able to fly from the harsh
winds and fierce storms of the north to such
winter and spring climate as the "sky lane" "
of western North Carolina offers at the emo
of few hours journey, made easy by all
the luxurious accessories of a first class rail-