The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-04
MOUNTAIN LAKE
VERY POPULA AL

~ f. T /. a-t.g. ~ = = =
Season ats This Unique and
Charming Resort at Its
sas s'h Height.
MOUNTAIN. LAKE. GILES. co. VA,
August 3.--ln the valley the air was
sitting, thetsleaves hung lifeless on
the trees. the dusty pavements and
glistening rails of the car-tracks
seemed tofavibrate in the Intense,
Inerve-racking9 heat. All day long the
sun, as though It had grudge against
the poor people of the lowlands, hung
like q ball fire. pouring its pitiless,
scorchlng rays down, down. down.,
without a pause. Nor We're the nights
any better;sone tossed the weary hours
away on seemingly ever-heated pill
lows, or doaed b few moments to
dream Of cooling springs and refresh
Ing breezes,, only to return with a
start to the stern reality Of parched
Threats and Intense heat This was
the existing condition of things when,
early one mbrning, we boarded the
train for that f''garden of the Eeds,n.
Mountain Lake. AS earhs mile postt
passed brought us nearer.2and nearer
our haven, wea became possessed ths
desire for wings, that we mght@hs.
there all tho sooner, At last, With6 a.
rush and a roar. through tunnels and
over bridges, the train pulls into Pens
broke. and we rush to the PLATFORM.
where already we feel the hrst cool
grander ones ito follow. 5.!s>
a courteous. driver now steps for
ward and says: TO, Mountain Lake +
step this way. plea se;;'',,' ND leads the,
way to the roorY carriage, IN waiting.
Where sheiliigg saifesllyl tucked III withrour1
bags ana luggage, we arc at last off.
tor. the lake. First is the trip. across
New River in a ferry-boat to many a
novel experience, and where as some
gins" But there is most pleasant.
sensation in gliding majestically over
tho water. famed &by the river breeze.
and then the opposite shore is.reached'
and the lovely mountainous drivessis
begun. What pen can describe the
wondrous loveliness.T of that !moHntatn.
drive, winding up up, round, and roundL
In and out among the picturesque
lights and shadows over the, fern
bordcred ower-besprinkled road,
reaching every now and then a knoll
from which we get n glimpse of the
recedng valley with Its soft blue
and greens, and Its picturesque white.
farmhouses nesting protectingly
against it's fertile bosom. On we co..
at every inch we traverse, the air be-
comes lighter, purcr. cooler and the
P{nr v,<3 1v>@~ ra
our burning cheeks. AT last we ma ke.
q sudden turn in the, road, and the
lake in all It's glory lies before US,
Never will we forget tho first view of
that glorious place,
Thclarge, roomy hotel, with its broad
verandas all around, surrounded like
fond mother with hN children, by the
numerous picturesque cottages; In
front OF this the green, Yelvety lawn,
studded with daisies. broken only by
tennis court and bowling alley. then
spreading away to the very edge OF
the lake; That lake-where can one
find words In which to describe its
opalescent, ever changing beauty
Never looking twice the same; now
calm as some gigantic mirror, now rip
ping, murmuring, purring gently IN
response to the tender kisses of the
Southern breeze. For several years the
lake has been receding, but this season
Ands 1t In all Its former grandeur ana
beauty, as 1t welcomes back old FRIENDS
and smiles on now ones, dimpllng as
some coquettIsh maiden welcoming
home her lover. Set In Its mass OF lux-
uriant rhododendron.s like some rare
and costly gem titles.
on. those pleasant days, $50 lu4l OF
Joy, 80 free from care" at this queen
OF resorts. Such grand walks, rides
and drives In the pure, dry, fresh noun
tain air. Such boat rides on ana patns
in the lake. Then for those VINO prefer
It, there is tennis, bowling, pool caras
and dancing to while away me TINE.
The day glides by. like shadows, we
know not how or where. For the
sportsmen there Is hunting; fishing IN
plenty. And. as usual. there Is quite q
colony OF fishermen who vie with each
other in seeing who can be most sue
cessful In landing the largest ana most
of the finny tribe But the "catchI OF
the season. was made TUESDAY evening
when MT. u. III. Miller. OF panVl,le'
landed California trout Weighing five
pounds twenty inches long, May he
have much more such luck.
Among those who are spendins the
summer are Mrs. James r. Seward and
family. Petersburg, Va; Mrs. LOUISE A.
Pryor and family, New YORK Clty, ~
T.; Mrs. Charles Carroll, New Orleans,
La; Mrs. Joseph Robinson, Columbus
O.; Miss Louise Robinson Columbus,
o.; Mr.. James Sheldon and family.
Norfolk, Va. Mrs. James u. Mann. ard
family, BlueheId. w. Va; Mrs. FRANK
Huger and family, Roanoke, Va; Mr..
H. G. Coke and family. Dallas. Iexas'
Mr.. N. d. Handy and family Lynch
burg, Va; Mr.. Il. II. Miller and WIG.
Danyille, Va: Mr., A. 3. pangerield
and family Winston Salem, N. 81; MT.
W, e. G, Merriman and family, Hasersr
town, Nd; Mr.. II, II. George, Jr., and
family Richmond Va; Mr.George IL,
Polling and family, Lynchburg, Va;
Professor Ernest Won Schlechtendal,
Charleston, w. Va; Professor John p.
Epes, Baltimore. Md Professor y, =,
Mount Bonsall. New York CITY. M ~;