Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-13
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
TIVE LOVER OF NATURE WHOSE HOME
Il Is in the District Of Columbia is to be con-
graduated on his good fortune for nowhere
can be found more naturally attractive region
than that which surrounds the city of Wash
i1ston. Within less than two miles OF the dome
Of the Capitol the delights Of the Wild woods
can be enjoyed to the hearts content PRINT
tive woods and wild scenery are encountered
within few minutes walk Of the city limits in
any direction
variety Of natural scenery. Of beauty un-
surpassed, is found on the ridge south OF the
Anaeostis river and north of the Bowen road
between Good Hope and Benning. Previous to
the erection Of the Twining City bridge and
the extension Of Pennsylvania avenue east
this section was comparatively unknown to
Washington II Is now attracting great atteu-
ton
REsIoSs OF GREAT BEAUTY.
The Rock Creek and Sligo Branch valleys and
the upper Potomac furnish scenery which for
vildness. ruggedness and pleasing effect
equals anything found toward the sources of
the Hudson or Delaware.
South OF the Potomac, in Alexandria county
Va, the surface OF the ground is rolling and
very attractive. The valleys Of Hunting creek
which leaps into the Potomac above the George
town bridge. is surrounded by natural attrae
tons Of high order.
Excepting the upper Potomac region, no
very sharp peaks or abrupt deeliyities ere
found in the immediate vicinity of Washing
son The surface Of the country, while hilly.
10 gently undulating. The landscape is SO
Varied as to satisfy all tastes. We step from
the Wild wood into meadow land and cultivated
feld and garden. 1t is rich in vegetation of a
highly varied character. Trees, wild flowers
and shrubs abound in great profusion.
However much the ardent lover Of nature
undefilsd may dePlore the advance of ciyiliza-
tion. IL cannot. 1t seems to me. be denied that
q trace Of culture makes the wilderness more
attractive.
The birds even prefer the clearing to the
Forest. A trodden path through the woods,
though little used and however faint its out
lines, relieves the scene Of a solitude which
must be unpleasant to most people.
Masblngtons monument, the dome OF the
Capitol and the cupola of Fairfax Seminary
are the conspicuous oyer-towering objects OF
the excursions They are visible from nearly
every elevated position On a clear day the
trees Of Mount Vernon are also seen from many
points.
This section OF country is singularly free
from the loathesome presence Of reptiles of all
kinds. In nv somewhat extensive trampS
embracing several years and extending into
the solitudes and tangles Of the forest. as well
as through the swampy bottoms of streams and
over aud around rocky lodges and cliffs in
every place. In short, where tiles are usually
found, have never encountered any thing more
dangerous than water or black snake. and
they ara perfectly harmless, so far as their bite
- concerned
FoRTY-rHREE walks
IN order that the interesting country en-
eireling Washington may be systematically
travelled and its beauties enjoyed / have di-
vided it into forty-three short excursions the
Roads included IN each being clearly outlined.
Walking Is the best Of all methods of explor-
ing country, OF Learning its beauties and char
actertstics. But II ons Is so unfortunate as TO
be unable to walk he should ride or drive into
the suouros. for communion with nature is Of
the first importance. No one can neglect this
who would have healthy system Hence with
- view OF osRenting wheelmen. horsemen and
others who either cannot walk or VINO prefer
mount Of some sort particular care has been
taken % correctly describe the condition OF the
roads. The surface OF a road. however, is not
20 important; to a walker. for if il be rough he
viii usually md good side path.
THE ROADS.
Many roads diyerge from Washington in
every direction, which, connecting with those
in the outlying country, form an extensive.
closely woven network. The excursions have
been 50 arranged that while every mile of the
roads within their limits is traversed care has
been taken 10 avoid, as far as possible any re-
tracing Of steps. Therefore the person who
completes the circuit Of the excursions will
have had the o. portGnity of closely viewing
the whole OF the country about the city for an
average radius Of some eight miles in every
direction.
The 200 miles Of roadway within the limits of
the District. outside Of the city of Washington.
are. as a rule. pretty good, but it is to be re-
GREETED that as much cannot be said for the
roads In the adjoining counties of MARYLAND
aud Virginia The condition Of the surface of
the road Is particularly described in each ex-
elrsion for the Information of wheelmen aud
others Interested. There are but yery few of
the foFty-three excursions that a horseman
viii ind any difficulty in travelling. They are
al open. OF course, to the pedestrian. Who, in
deed, II ne has an eve to nature, will rather in
cline 20 rugged, oat-of-tbe-way trails
The nameiess roads which every where abound
- the cause Of great embarrassment TO excar-
slonistA i have taken the liberty therefore
% ehristen those unnamed roads. The names
nave selected have, as a rule. some local OF
historical significance, and / trust that they
may be adopted by the authorities.
Many OF the innumersble small streams en-
eountered on the excursions do not appear on
the maps of this vicinity. These are all re.
ferred TO IN the text however. and named af-
Ter trees, flowers and shrubs.
POLK LORE
While keeping within the bounds Of newspa-
per brevity, have endeayored to add interest
10 the excursions BY the brief recital of local
historical facts. gossip and arecdOte. The
neld Of folk lore, which barely peered into. was
very inviting. No one who has not entered
that neid can form an Idea of lis richness and
hope that at no distant day some ons with a
taste eongenial to the subject viii lay il before
rs in an attractive styls.
The landscape aud other scenes which illus-
trats the excursions are all entirely new hay-
fas been photographed by thewriter within the
past year.
These excursions, beginning on the right
BANK OF the Potomac at Alexandria aud eneir-
CHING the city OF Washington for a radius of
about eight miles. will be published in regular
order IN successive issues o; The STAR LIZ
eursions Nos to inclusive begin al Alexan
dria. which city can be quickly and eheaply
reached by rail or Terry boat. The station of
the Washington and Frederic ksburg railway is
~ the corner Of Fayette and Cameron streets
while the ferry boats land at the foo, of KIM
street Alexandria can also be reached by way
OF the Long bzi;ige over the Washington AMI
Alexandria turnpike.
EXCURSION NO. 1-ro GUM SPRING curRcu
Rouse-Crossing Hunting Greek bridge bv
way Of South Patrick street, River road is taken
to the left, thence by said road to Aceotink
road, to old Mount Vernon road. to Gravel road
20 Hunting Greek bridge, to South Patrick
street.
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