The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-09-21
ROAMING SKYLAND.
A Jolly Party of Pleasure Seekers on an
Exploring Expedition.

Phillips, Miss Julia Barry and Mr.. e.
McNeely, of Fish Springs, Tenn, Mr..
and Mrs. Eli Phillips, of Judson, Ind, g,
Miss Laura Daniel, of Russelville,
Ind, Mr.. r. e. L. White, of Johnson
City, Tenn, and Mr.. J. II. Hughes, of
Tazewell, Tenn, loaded q wagon to its
utmost capacity with oil things one
could think of which would in any way
replenish the inner man of hungry
mortal or relieve the lonesome feeling
of the most fastidious taste, and secur-
ing passage for themselves in a hack
drawn by span of fine mules, and af-
ter the usual good bys and good wishes
were exchanged promptly at 6:45 a. m.
set out for the hitherto unexplored
regions OF the Grandfather Mountain
in North Carolina to while away a few
days camping and eating camp-cooked
meals, sleeping in tents, barns, wagons,
school houses, or out in the open air
sheltered only by the blue canapy of
Heaven, watching the stars, the forget
me-nots of the angels as they silently
blossom one by one in the infinite
meadows of Heaven.
After pausing for few moments to
quench our thirst at the many little
springs along our way, which burst
from the mountain sides and made
their way down to the beautiful rive"
(Watauga), and after we have crossed
the State line and passed out of the
domain of the good old State of Ten
nessee, and entered upon the soil of
the ''Tar Heel" State, finding shady
nook by arippling brook, which sparkles
in the sun shine as it runs across the
road and falls on the rocks below, we
call halt and after few moments
dinner is announced which brings a
smile to every countenance present.
After all have partaken of hearty
meal and few pieces of music have
been played on violen accompanied
by banjo, we again resume our journ-
ey. Nothing of interest happening
during the afternoon we at 600 p. m.
pitch our tent at Chimney Point,
and after supper is over and the "things
are cleared away" we amuse ourselves
until late hour by telling stories.
Then the beds are "fxed" and we all
take our bodies off to rest. On Aug.
25th at an early hour the shrill notes of
cock growing in the distance is heard
and all the sleepers are aroused, faces
are washed, good mornings are ex-
changed, breakfast prepared and eaten,
mules harnessed, "all aboard for Blow
ing Rock" is heard and everyone takes
their seat and we are on the move again,
passing through Vallecrucis at S:35 a.
m. and arriving at Blowing Rock at
12:45 p. M, we pitch our tent and din
ner is prepared and music furnished
by the strinb band, and at 2:2O p. m.
we all "primp' our faces and put on
our brightest smiles preparatory tC
having our 'likenesses struck" after
the "snatching OF our beauties was
completed we all drove up to "Higl
Rock" which is 1000 feet above sea
level, where we got grand view ot
mountain scenery, returning just at
night fall weary and hungry. After
supper and the "night work" done ur
everyone drew the drapery Of his coucE
about him and fell to sleep.
While the grass and flowers were
still wet with dew and before the SUI
had shed its full rays upon this ole
earth we were all up and had eater
breakfast, and were each according t
their own dictates taking in the sight
and scenes of Blowing Rock Every
one returning to camp at 1000 a. m
and after all hands had been busy for
few moments packing and loading III
we again took up the march for tn,
Grandfather Mountain. After we hat
been on the road only short time an(
just at 1900 m. it began raining, con
tinuing all the afternoon; at p. m. W,
stopped at 'Tntermont Falls, a yer.
picturesque spot on the south side ant
just under the top of the Grandfathe
Mountain, and some of the partie
in the crowd sheltered under a rocl
over which the water fslls distance 0
about thirty feet. After quenching on
thirst with the pure sparkling waite
which we dipped from natural roc
basin formed by the constant falling q
the water, we pass on, not haltin
again until $50 p. m., when we reac
the Macrae House, hotel or boardin
house run by kind family of peopl
just from the highlands of Scotland
and it is here we see the earless no
and the oxen working in shafts with
full set of harness on. After a shol
time supper is announced and the
there is general rush made for th
dinning room, where we find a goo
warm meal awaiting us, which is higl
ly enjoyed. After supper music
rendered by the string band, then Nj
Macrae, our host, entertains by playin
a few select pieces on bag pipe, the
"good night" is heard and all take the
departure for agood bed which is foun
and enjoyed. SO much are they enjo!
ed that no one is up until long after ol
Sol has climbed the crags and peaks