The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-07-01
THE PICTURESQUE
OLD STAGE ROAD
Scenes Of Grandeur and Beauty Along
the Route.
LIKE THE PROMISED LAND.
Viewed From the lofty Summit OF the
Blue Ridge, the Valley of Viz
sinia is a Wonderland.
Relic OF Old Times.
LIKE THE PROMISED LAND.

The old stage road from Gordonsville to
New Market. crossing the Blue Ridge and
ATassanutten mountains, is one Of the most
romantic and beautiful drives to be found
in any part of the State. so far as the
fertility of the country traversed and the
ma iestv OF the scenery is concerned. But
since the building OF the railroads up ana
down the Valley of Virginia and across the
Blue mountains has been accomplished the
old stage, with its high, rocking springs
its team of four spanking horses, ana It's
sweet-toned horn has become but mem
cry to the old and to the youth q tradi-
ton and a myth. around which cluster
stories that are extraordinary in their in
terest
The pike across the Blue Ridge, built at
such great expense TO the State, IS fast
falling into a state of utter impassability
to any vehicle save the huge wagons in
which the mountaineers haul their tan
bark to market. These cut huge ruts
| wherever there is any soil and bump and
clatter over places that resemble more
pile OF rocks than a road.
BEAUTY OF TILE SCENE.
Nevertheless, aside from the discomfort
OF the constant, bump and jolt and the
breaking of spring, rim or spoke. the
trip over the old pike is not without its
redeeming features. The scenery is grand
n its majesty. Huge mountains rise on
either side. some Clothed in the verdure
of oak and fir. some so barren that only
the hardy pine can elie out a hungry and
haIf-staryed existence, while stin others
present face of impenetrable rock as
| bare and destitute as Gibraltar itself The
pike winds sepent-like back and forth and
at every turn there is some new beauty
to attract the gaze and hold II enraptured,
until another hides it from view Here an
immense boulder is suspended, as it were,
in mid ar destined at some future up
heayal of the earth to toppe from its in
secure and treacherous footing, crashing
forest. as the whirlwind breaks pile of
straws.
Near the top Of the Ridge a spring of
limpid water trick.es from the mountain
side as cool and refreshing as if its source
was the everlasting SHOWS. Here, if Ponce
de Leon with his chd-like faith, could
have come would ne have found, if not the
fluid TO renew his youth, vet such an one
as would nave prolonged the youth ne had.
In the days when the stage made the trip
across each day a stop was made long
enough TO water the horses. giving them
fresh life for the rest of the pull Now 1t
is a favorite camping place for the bark
man to spend the night. As they near 1t,
when the shadows of evening are falling,
the teams quicken iAelI step III d4At1SiIt7
ton of a good feed and a rest from their
labor and the voice of the teamster rises
in song on the quiet air. lie is singing for
camp.
AT THE HEAD WATERS
Dark Hollow IS where the pike crosses,
near its source, the waters OF the Robin
son River. The mountains, clothed in huge
trees. shut out the light, and darkness
as of twilight hangs over the place at all
hours Of this day, While when the sun has
thrown his last rays on The tops OF the
peaks and sunk to rest behind the huge
Nassanuttan, it seems the abode OF death
itself. 1t is a place for tragedy, and many
ona has been enacted here. and no one
tha wiser. The stase-driver duickened his
mace and hurried through. and even the
horses seemed TO feel the spell that yet
hangs around the depth and darkness OF
Dark Hollow
Though little known and seldom visited
tbara is above the pike here the most beau
tiful waterfall, perhaps, in the State The
Robinson rises almost at the Very top OF
1.-The Ridge" and makes its way to the
mains below. dashing over rocks and form
ing limpid pools, where the specksled trout
flashes his brilliant coors as he rises to
take an unwary and unfortunate fly A
few hundred yards above the pike the
waters. have worn narrow passage be-