The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1897-07-01
A DELIGHTFUL TRIP.
Echoes from the K. of p. Excursion to
Luray Caverns.

| Luray Caverns.
Communicated
| A trip that will always be remem
! bered by those who had the pleasure
Of taking it was the recent one to the
| Luray caverns and Natural Bridge OF
| Virginia.
! From the moment the train steamed
gaily out of Winston to the time of its
return the spirit of thorough enjoy,
ment seemed to pervade the party
aboard which was one of the most
| select that ever left the city.
| AS is unusual with excursions, a
most excellent time was made on this
| trip. No lay-Overs or delays, but a
| fast and breC ~ run to Roanoke, where
| the passengers left the cars to refresh
| themselves in little walk; then "all
| aboard" for solid run up through
| the beautiful Shenandoah valley,
| through miles of golden grain, with
| the mountains rising in their grand
eur on either side and the graceful
flowing rivers sending back ripples of
! laughter to the merry party aboard.
1t was indeed grand.
By five o'clock the party had reached
Luray and by seven had refreshed
| themselves, eaten supper at the hotels
and had arrived at the cave entrance,
mile from the hotels. The entrance
is covered by neat building with
porches all around. Here one could
drink in" the mountain scenery in
all its grandeur and beauty.
The Winston party was conducted
through the cave in six groups of
about twenty each. Each group was
numbered and was accompanied by
two guides. The groups entered at
intervals Of about fifteen minutes. A
group being completed the guide led
the way down flight of stone steps
and before one could realize the fact
the sublimtty and grandeur Of the
entrance hall surrounded him.
1t is useless to attempt to describe
the cave. 1t must be seen in order to
be appreciated. 1t was lighted up
with electricity and had paved walks
with iron ratings leading through
maze of the most beautiful walks
and avenues. All along the way were
beautiful alcoves, rooms and recesses.
One of the most remarkable things
was the large number Of natural for
nations that sc closely resem bled
things in ordinary life, and others
that were themselves almost perfect
pieces Of statuary.
Among those most easily remem-
bered were jumbo, the camel, the
mammoth tooth, the wet blanket,
Helen's shawl, the fish market, the
duck market, the hanging basket. the
frozen fountain, the skeleton, the
leaning tower Of Pisa, the tower of
Babel, the castle onsthe Rhine, Plu-
to's chasm, the white spectre, the
double column, the ball room with
column, the Angels wing, Christ
blessing the children, the crystal
spring, the coral spring, Overuns
Grottu, Dianna's bath room, the Swiss
cottage, the Cathedral hall and the
organ and chimes.
The music made by the guide by
striking the stalacite reeds of the or
gan and chimes was strangely sweet
and clear.
Four couples in the history of the
cave have been married on the ball
room floor. 1t took over an hour and
one half to make the tour, but one
would be so enraptured with the seen
cry that fatigue was hardly noticed.
By ten o'clock the party was back at
the hotels.
At seven o'clock next morning Luz
ray was left behind, and at ten O'Clock
Natural Bridge station Was reached
The Bridge was two and one-half miles
distant. The party at once took con-
veyances and safely reached the
charming spot. Not a few had the
novel experience and pleasure (?) of
riding in and on top of an old time
stage coach.
The Natural Bridge is one Of the
most romantic spots imaginable, and
was so much greater and grander than
many expected. Here description
fails again, for the artist cannot do
the subject justice with his brush.
The magnificent span, 100 feet high,
with the great walls, is indeed a grand
and ins piring sight. On top of the
bridge looking down below into the
vast depth under the bridge, with the
crystal stream flowing among the rocks
and the ferns, grasses and shrubbery
waving in the sunshine; then glanc-
ing off in the distance to the forest
covered mountains, one would feel as
he turned and looked into the eyes of
his best girl, that this was indeed par
adise.
At four o'clock the train started for
home. A stop was made at the Crystal
Spring in Roanoke long enough for
every body to drink from this noted
fountain that supplies the water for
the entire city.
At half-past ten the party reached
home without an accident, mishap or
delay. Every one voted the trip by
far the best they had ever taken.
The Knights of Pythias are due the
thanks Of the community for affordIng
such a delightful and instructive
means of recreation is the opinion Of
the writer of this brief sketch, who
has not yet had the pleasure Of being
Knight.