The Savannah morning news., 1903-09-13
SEPTEMBER In THE MOUNTAINS
By THOMAS GAMBLE, JR.
must inspire one with sentiments fully
as profound and abiding.

must inspire one with sentiments fully
as profound and abiding.
NO one capable of retaining impress
sions will ever forget the ride up Juna-
luska's rugged front to where the Ea-
giles Nest percnes in a world all it's
own. Prelude to the climb, one passes
orchards of apples whose cheeks are
one continuous crimson, outblushing
maidenhood's most modest moments:
masses of golden rod enriching every
waste spot with prodigality that only
nature can afford, and cottage homes
where the omniDresent sign of board
ing stares greedily al the passerby
Once past the toll gate the road reaches
skyward, in its convo1utions like q
gigantic boa of molten copper. There is
new freshness in the air. the still
ness of the forest becomes more acute
and the ear more sensitive. The sound
of an ak comes from the far-off dis
lance. One expectantly strains nerves
for the crushing fall of the mighty ash
or chestnut. Mountain streams add
new element to the scene, gurgling
among the rocks, falling in tiny cas-
cades, lingering in hidden recesses
meath overhanging rocks and gnarled
roots of great oaks and walnuts, with
here and there short reaches of sand
and shingle, where children can pad
die and gather ammunition to lombard
targets that tempt them in every quar-
ter. Ravines, dark, deep, forbidding
with wonderful possibilities of danger
to nervous temperaments, are skirted
the tops of their monster trees far be-
low the drive, while abutting them huge
cliffs of rock seem to thrust the coach
away from their protection as though
eager to see it go laundering down to
destruction. Ferns tempt one to leave
the security of the pike and Chamber
down the steep decivities in search of
prizes. Occasionally vast masses of
these delicate plants are seen, hundreds
upon hundreds of them in circles where
the suns rays perhaps have never
fallen since the mountains came fresh
from the Creators hands, luxuriating
in the soft mold of generations of trees,
protected by their position from mans
avarice and the winds tearing blasts.
chestnut burrS drop upon the road
way, walnuts nod overhead, the ash
thrusts its rough white body straight
toward the blue ether the very embodi-
ment of self-assertiveness and conf
dence, rhododendrons crowd unabash-
ed among the giants, awaiting the
knife of the souvenir maker. There
are sudden bends and horseshoe curves,
| VIDE passes and perilous narrowS, and
| then, before one has sunk back in
| quiet admiration to drink in unworded
the unfolding scenes, a glorious vista
| opens without warning. Trees and
| bushes and rocks have disappeared
and on the brink of the mountain side
! mile after mile of valleys and range
| after range of hills breaks upon the
vision. Far below, Waynesville lies.
| a scattered hamlet One feels that no
| more beautiful picture can be expect
ed, that the remainder of the ride is
NJ -
this is but the minor gem in the great
gallery. Onward and upward the
horses pantingly Chamber, resting at
| intervals, unconscious of the glories
through which they are passing. Two
hours have gone and the last sign
post is at hand. The eyrie is just be-
yond.
Alertness succeeds the calm salts
! faction that has come with surfeit.
Can there be anything more superbly
grand than that already seen? Has
nature In reserve some masterpiece be-
yond conception until it breaks upon
the sight? One hopes, yet fears.
across the rolling plain Of green a
modest house appears. The Eagles
| Nest, the driver casually remarks
sense of disappointment comes. Was IL
FOR this the long ride from that first
glorious outlook. But the way levels
ana suddenly curves toward the house
Inc trees that cramped the vision are
no longer there. The soil with one look
leaps forth in silent yet glowing admit
ration of Gods wonderful handiwork
No photograph has yet done credit
TO the picture that stretches uncir-
cumscribed before the Eagles Nest.
The Carolinas. Georgia and Tennessee
contribute 10 It's grandeur. Many have
written OF u, but none has yet or
perhaps VIII bring II before the unsee-
Ing reader with 80 much forcefulness
that he can truly comprehend and ap-
preciate he manifold charms. Words
are wonderful IN their possibilities, but
no words. no matter whose the master
hand that used them, ever yet brought
% the mind a true conception Of n
panorama ike this II h. easy ~ tell
~ the depth OF the valleys, OF the hight
~ the hills. OF the distances 81 towns
and sTssilis. % NE name u this peak