Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-08-30
aelistellaneous &eading.
NATURES WONDERLAND.
Notes of the Bicyclist by the
Wayside.
FROM RUTHERFORDTON TO ASHEyILLE.

FROM RUTHERFORDTON TO ASHEYILLE.
Scenes That Uplift the Soul-Trials That
Bend the splrit-Joys and Tribulations
to be Experienced In the Mountains.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer by Rev
| J. c. Johnes, Rector Of the Church Of the
Good Shepherd, Yorkville.
The remark has often been express.
ed that the scenery of the western
North Carolina mountains is well nigh
unsurpassable. This broad assertion
is, in a general way, conventionally
true. The scenic effects met with in
this charming neighborhood are in
comparable because, perhaps, they be-
long strictly to this locality and no.
where else. 1t is peculiarly its own.
1t really has to be seen to be appre-
ciated, and when seen in all its pris-
tine beauty and gorgeous magniicence,
tongue becomes dumb, hand inert and
the mind overpowered.
"The warbling woodland, the resoundine
| shore,
The pomp of groves, and the garniture OF
| fields,
All that the genial ray of morning gilds,
And all that echoes to the song of even."
There is something inexpressibly
impressionable amid mountain scenery.
Ever since creation there has been a
wonderful fascination for man in sky
land and cloudland. Whatever his
mood or nature may be, here there ia
subtle something that appeals to his
nobler instincts that lifts him out of
and above himself and makes him re-
turn to busy humanity with more en-
nobling sentiments. There is an hush
ed awe, majestic grandeur, an over
whelming sense of immense strength,
gentle persuasiveness constantly
arising from the rude altars of the
everlasting hills-the innate conscious
ness of the creature yelling out to the
creative power.
We decided to take our first view of
this beautiful and charming country
from Rutherfordton, a little town
which is the terminus of the Seaboard
Air Line. Between Rutherfordton
and Hendersonville, distance of
about 40 miles, (for in this part miles
vary very much in length), there is no
railroad. The hoarse voice of the
mighty locomotive is as yet silent. Its
shrill whistle has not as yet echoed
and re-echced among the beauteous
glades and we'll nigh inaccessible
mountains. You have, therefore, 10
resort to the primitive customs and
usuages of your fathers to get from
place to place. 1t is the best and
most convenient way of locomotion
for those in quest of natures charm,
and it comes in wonderfully attractive
form, as the writer found out on more
than one occasion.
From the very incipient stage of
your journey, you are in the neigh
borhood of the mountains. Just now,
however, they are so far away as to
verify the truth of the old adage that
"distance lends enchantment to the
view.n There is impressiveness, there
is interest, there is change; but none
of these are of that kaleidoscope char
acter that will meet you later on. The
roads, too, were in good condition to
start with. The recent dry spell had
had beneficial influence upon them.
The gradients were not so heavy; but
that q little "extra" exertion would
land you safely on top. The sun was
warm but there was breeze which
swept over you with refreshing cool
ness, especially so in the mornings and
the evenings. While not an ideal
country to bicycle in, still, with few
exceptions, it was great deal better
than anticipated. A perfectly enjoya-
BILE holiday is possible in the Western
Carolina mountains.
1t was interesting to note natures
way of preparation for the enjoyment
of the prodigal feast that would be
served you before long. There were
the gentle undulations, covered with a
profuson of oak and pine, with the
clearing full of waving plumes of
corn; peeping from shades, suggestive
of quietude and peace, were the farm
homes of the sturdy North Carolina
peasantry; little declivity, then a
sharp turn, and you were in the waters
of one or the other of the innumerable
creeks Of this region, muddied by the
trails of the inevitable covered wagon
that appear indigenous and insepara-
BILE from the neighborhood; up q gen.
tie rise, then along level road for
some distance, with ever and anon
charming bits of scenic beauty re-
lieving the landscape; now near, now
seemingly afar the noise aid splash OF
the eddying waters could be heard
sometimes ominously audible as with
harsh swish and noisy swirl, they sped
restlessly along-and sometimes with
a cooling sweetness and softness that
had a wonderfully soothing effect upon
the system-but like coy maidens ever
keeping themselves aloof from sight.
This gradual dawn, this slow pan
oramic movement was grand. Nature
is lnimitable as preceptress.
After several miles of this prepara.
tory movement, the road now emerges
upon a comparatively broad and fertile
plain, skirted with hills of varying
size and height, but covered with
verdure to their very height. Through
this delightful valley runs the Broad
river, cutting many freak and caper on
its course. 1t is along the banks of this
beautiful stream that you are to wend
your way. Brush, and not pen, is the
only instrument that can do adequate
Justice to the beauties of this justly