The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-08-13

. eping Under seven blankets during '"o
Hot spell

f|faf 0Offt1 pVlAN' ttN'ff
RrpFoRD CITY, VA. Aug. E.-spe-
c,.l-seven blankets would be con-
.,dsred a very liberal allowances
in rho seyerest winter weather
In Eastern Virginia. but on lass
Friday night while those left oenina III
Rfchmond were swelterlng and the ther-
nometer playing IN thel nineues, touhu
this allowance OF covering very comfort
able in the little hotel on the summit
~ the south knob OF the tw,n Peaks OF
Otter.
Tue mountain has long been regarded as
one OF Virginias foremost attractions anu
Justly so. not - much on account Of IT'S
height-althoush It is 1898 feet above the
the sea-as for the grand and varied
scenery which nature IN a lavish mood
has stretched out at one 5 feet, and the
wide area Of unobstructed country which
can be seen. with one sweep OF the eye
around the horizon some point IN seventy
counties and the mountains Of four
States-West Virginia Kentucky, Ten
nessce and North Carolina-are brought
into view. The outskirts of Iynchburg
and Roanoke and many small towns and
villages are readily discernible with the
aid OF a good glass. Bedford is one
Of the largest counties In the State and
there is hardly a square mile OF II which
cannot be seen. IL resembles mammoth
flower garden with Bedford city ses
down in the centre.
Whether ths fantastic shapes and posi-
tions Of the immense boulders on the
mountain are the result OF volcanic
eruption the food or other causes as
signed. biologists may continue 10 dis
pute over. but none the less odd are
Ion, NJ tk-l
been chrlstened according TO their seVe-
raj peculiar shapes such as the Nee
dies Eve" a small aperture in the rocks
very difficult 10 pass through, and lead
ing to the pulpit Rock" BuZzard
Roost is no missioner and for obvious
reasons its resemblance to the remains
pf an old castle is not inspected at
close enough range 20 dispel the Illusion
The arch OF 1.-THE Natural Bridge,
forms the saddle rock" And 50 on al
most without end does the list OF pecn-
liaritics which need no stretch OF the
Imagination. 70 sec the fitness or the
titles given them.
The great majority Of visitors 90 TO the
Peaks from Bedford City distance or
twelve miles over one OF the roughesb
roads in Virginia. The trip requires
from four 10 five hours. Nehicles anu
"tee place" seven hundred yards from
the top on account OF the steepness OF
this part OF the mountain. The difficul-
ties named prevent many from undertake
ing 20 ascend the mountain although a
person OF moderate strength makes II
without difficulty by starting early "a
avoid a rush" as the storekeepers ad-
wise. Any one having the slightest APP
probation for the beauties OF nature
never has cause TO regret a visit.
There has been talk az various times OF
running an electric line or cog road UP
the mountain. but the plans have never
been fulfilled. IL Is. however. but mat
ter OF time before It Is done. One route
which could be taken rises but 30 feet
TO the mile. A long-dstance telephone
% bedford City Roanoke, Lynchburg.
and Danville is also being worked up.
Among the large number who have
visited the Peaks this year were many
Richmond people. T. r..