The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-10-12
In the
Land
Of
the Sky

between the Blue Ridge Mountains ana
The Iron, Smoky ana Unaka ranges
of eastern Tennessee. 1T is a superb
elevated plateau, the lowest point Oh
which is more than 2,O0G feet ABOVE
the level of the sea. Ii is protected
in winter from chilling winds by the
surrounding mountains. Geographl-
callv il is situated in the most favored
DO ton of the temperate zone. Iopo-
graphically it is mountainous, and In
largely covered with forests in. which
the long leaf or turpentne pine pre-
dominates. 1t is traversed by splendid
rivers and dotted with beautiful lakes.
Its scenery is unrivaleG, even by the
more Favored localities of the Far
West. and its accessibility is such that
il can be reached cItncr from the
North, the East, The South, or the
Middle West in a few hours, where
the scenic glories OF the West require
several days to reach them.
Scenic Glories.
Much has been written concerning
the superb scenery of this unrivaHed
section; much more might still De
written. and it's glories would even
then be far in advance of the most
glowing description. From the mo-
ment that the traveller enters this re-
gion until duty forces MIN to leave IT,
naught that is unpleasng meets MS
eve. With soil of unsurpassed fer
t.lity it's verdure is of the deepest ana
most beautiful hue; its rolling hills
enchantingly hem in its placid lakes.
it's broad rivers, and its ripping
streams while its striking picturesque
and lofty mountains-famed alike Tor
their number and their sile-form the
background for innumerable scenes
of natural beauty and grandeur Any
one of it's massive peaks, placed else
he nlNi n
beauty Here surrounded by scores
of others equally grand, its majesty
is comparative, though none the less
pleasing and the ensemble is one OF
unparalleled loneliness From the Blue
Ridge to the mountains OF eastern
Tennessee there are n.dny chains ana
Ianges of superb proportions, their
SUBMITS outlined anu accumulated by
numerous towering peaks Their prl-
meval forests cover their rugged SIDES
and make dark and outrageous the
deep rdvines and narrow valleys that
lie between their precipiuous Hanks.
Pines of many kinds carpet the ground
with their discarded foliage, and DUR
ing spring, summer, and early au-
tumn the spreading leafiy branches OF
other trees form luXuriant canopies OF
living green, From out these rock
strewn declivities and leaf-canopled
slopes springs crystal streams which
gather force and volume as they speed
and. finally uniting iii their descent
to the more level districts at the base
of the mountains. form the broad ana
beautiful rivers for Which this charm
ing land is noted
The Climate.
The claims made for the climate
of this region are strong. but they
do not lack for the DeSt and strongest
confederation. The official government
records of the climate of western
North Carolina which are unimpeach-
able evidence, give the following aver
ages: Spring. 54:49 degl ees F.; sum-
mer. 1922 degrees T.; autumn, 534S
degrees F.: winter. 3S:oi degrees F.
with a mean for the whole year OF
54:15 degrees; and 4 mean resatlVe
humidity of but 65 per cent. The biting
edge of the Northern winter is nelth-
cr felt nor feared, and scorching sub
tropical heat never invadcs the boun-
daries. Winter here is crisp cool, brac-
ing delightful; and summer a period
of COM ortable warmth.
Riding and Driving.
The drives are unexcelled anywhere
for the lovely views they afford. Horse
back riding is in great favor. Out-of-
door life, especially with tourists, is
the rule. and there are mountains
near enough to be considered for
DAYS excursion which viii tax the ell
DURANGO and skill of ali save the pro-
fcssional Alpine climber. during the
spring and early summer these noun
tains are radiant with the plooln OF
the laurel. the rhodendron and the
aZalea. and for miles along the edge
of the .SWannanoa its banks are one
solid mass of these exquisite movers.
Along the frequenteG portion OF tour
ist-travel in this region are well kept
highways and boulevards that invite
the enthusiastic rider or driver. In
addition to these the mountain trails
supply many. more attractive routes
for equestrians, then pine-carpeted
paths being ideal footw&ys for saddie
horses, while their locations and sur
roundings are of the most picturesque
nature.
Real Sportsman's Paradise.
Western North Carolina is the true
sportsman's paradise. Here he can
rough it to his hearts content, and
rough 1t without Inconvenience or dis
comfort. for outdoor life in this ia
vored region offers continuous pleas
ure and entails no hardships Camping
is here an ideal life, enjoyable be-
yond measure, and presenting none
of the difficulties present in less ac-
cessible regions. 'the mountains
abound with much game and fishing
IL
uttermost. The rivers that rise in
the mountains are i4o-able for their
number. their volume ana their beau
ty They are splendlidly stocked with
fish, among which the native bass pre-
dominates California or rainbow trout
have been placed in the larger rivers
and many are already of the size COM
parable with the famous fish of the
salmon rivers of the State of Maine
and the Providence of Quebec. All of
the streams of this reSion-both large
and small-are periodically stocked
with trout. providing the finest of
sport for the enthusiastic wielder OF
rod and reel.
An Ideal Hotel in It's Location and
Its Appointment.
ON a beautiful plateau at an eleva-
ton of. $500 feet above the sea level.
encircled by mountains, and overlook
ing the city of Asheville. one mile
Ia fr1I pitr