The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1908-08-07

The erection Of sky scrapers" is
now the fad with all prosperous and
progressive cities. and each year sees
the construction Of taller and yet tall
er buildings.
But the real sly scrapers" are the
mountains, and they, no doubt, in
dulge a smile at mans puny efforts al
imitation.
Looking al the majestic range Of
mountains that skirts this section Of
North Carolina one can readily IN
derstand why it is called The Land
OF the Sky"
We have read great many descrip-
tons of mountain scenery, but no de-
scription. however graphic and reals
tic. can impress upon one the same
feeling that it does to behold them
with the NAKED eye for the first time.
II is almost uite to say that they are
awe-inspiring.
The mountains in this region are
said to be the tallest east of the
Rockies. and as their lofty peaks lose
themselves amid the clouds they mir
rcr as pretty q picture as mortal eye
is permitted to behold.
On the second day after our arrival
here We assembled to the top Of one
of The tallest OF these mountain peaks.
There seemed scarcely room enough
for the vehicle to wind itself around
the torJuous wagon trail. On the one
side The mountain arose precipitous-
ly to untold heights, and on the other
was a frOwning precipice, and what
should happen to us at this juncture
but TO meet another vehicle face to
face" The driver of the approach
ing vehicle happened to be a stalwart
African, familiar with the perils Of
the mountains, and with perfect good
humOr and almost supeThuman
strength he lifted the vehicles around
each other, wrested the pallOr from
our cheeks and restored our pulse 70
its normal beat.
When We reached the top Of the
mountain and assembled a thirty-fOot
tower We believe there was presented
70 our sight vision as wOndrously
beautiful as Moses beheld when he
was permitted to catch a glimpse of
the promised land"
There were mountains on all sides
and great gorg=s in between to inten-
sify their look OF stately grandeur.
Following one Of these gorges in one
direction the outlook had all the APP
pearance of the ocean and it is called
Ocean View" There were. seeming
ly the white caps and pillows, and in
the distance the great expanse of blue
waters. It was a mirage of mountain.
sea and sky. Again, in another Iii
rectiOn. you could behold the clouds
bathing other mountain peaks with
their filmy folds; and again on other
mountain tops rains were descending,
and the brilliant tints of the rainbow
were observable and added increased
luStre to the scene.
The houses in the peaceful valleys
below looked for all the world like
travellers describe Swiss village, and
We do not believe that Switzerland
can present a scene more sublime,
picturesque and lovely. No wonder
these people love their mountain
homes. The air is crisp and bracing.
The water is ice-cold and vegetables
are planted all along the mountain
sides, and in the valleys nearly every
foot of arabic land is under cultiva-
ton.
Saluda is on the top of one Of the
mountains, and from TryOn, nine
miles below, where the mountains be-
gin, it is a steady up grade, and three
miles below Saluda the mountain is
so steep that two engines are neces-
sary to convey the cars up the con
tinuous grade. In winding itself up
the mountain sides the letter 60 is
frequently duplicated, and there is
beauty and grandeur everywhere.
1t does not require distance" to
lend enchantment to the view" This
indeed is enchanted land, and from
every shady dell and grotto one ex'
poets TO See elfs and fairies emerging
from their beautiful hiding places.
The native population of Saluda is
about four hundred, but in the summer
time it is nearly as many thousands
The climate is especially excellent for
children, and they are here in battal