The farmer and mechanic., 1909-09-21
Recall Pleasure Related
in a Royal Way
4 TRIP Up THE Roam
The Air Was So Fresh and So Full of
:, Ozone, the Way Was Varied at
J Every Turn, the Trees So Grand
! That Mountain Climbing Was Joy.

To the Editor: Report by four
thirty at the depot was the order
given those at Spruce Pine conteEl-
plating trip to the Roam on the
morrow. The plan was to run down
the 'Clinchfield Route to Toecaae
drive up to Bakersville, spend the
night, and in the early morning make
the climb.
At the hour appointed, our little
group of four. Rev. William Black.
Mrs. Black. Miss Bessie McCord, and
myself, beguiled the time jesting over
the imagined ordeals of the day Just
ahead. Soon. however. we were swing
ing around Well-Sraded curves by
rocks, waterfalls, rhOdodendrOn and
rugged mountain sides along the zoe
III a region SO long shut off from the
train has supDlanted the mountain
wagon. Outlet for a great land is
made by the Carolina, Cline hfield and
Ohio Railroad and, at the same time,
another sumfnering place opened up
for those who dwell in the flat lands
of the lower latitudes Too soon the
delightful ride came to an end With
the call. "All out for Toecane." CThs
is near the confluence of the Toe riN er
and Cane creek, hence the name)
The drive of three miles up Cane
creek to Bakersville is not without in
ripping waters of the creek, the
necessarily clinging close to the soil,
the eager-eyed children by cottage
door give variety to the mOnotonoIs
iolting of a road at times in the bed
of the creek. then on the bank, or Glse
rising to the crest of a ridge for the
regal pleasure of descending once
more to rock bottom. The good ma
RI n r11l1 1Y1Jo h
teeth of pearl, responded freely to all
questions, wise and otherwise. off to
the north Of the sunset was the Roam
as it had stood for centuries, grim
and silent and eternal. In the los
ing moment, of this eager afterno On,
a kind of unearthly splendOr hung
over the lofty summit creating a fresh
anxiety for the dawn of a new day.
a cordial welcome at Young's hotel
an ample supper for mountain appe-
tites arrangements made for horses
sure of foot. and the assurance Of
early breakfast given, left nothing to
be desired but a good nights sleep.
All was prOpitiOus. The Septem ber
night was fine; the landscape breathed
repose; the air gave hints of coming
frost. a full moon was in the sky; the
stars spoke peace; and BakerSVll1e
was silent as deserted village. SO,
lights were out before nine. The mo-
ments flew, seemingly not an hour had
passed till the shrill voice of some
early cock set a hundred thrOats to
the task of heralding the grey dawn.
Soon all were aStir, alert and eager,
congratulating each the other on the
fine night for rest. However, one dis
cordant note was heard, from the
youne lady Of the party had spent
much Of the night in the fine pastime
of mounting horses, falling over
cliffs jumping chasms and climbing
CataractS.
Breakfast over the mount sufficient
for Mr.. b. J. Young, our guide, Mrs.
Hyams and Mr.. Baily, who had
coined Us, was at the door. Six good
mountain climbers guaranteed to
safely stood ready. Mrs. Hyams sat
with ease on Clipper, Miss Bessie
mounted Doc, Honest John was as
signed Mr. Black / rode Colonel, while
our guide led the way on Pioneer A
degree of pride was ours in having a
pilot first on the Roam more than
half a century ago, now found maxi
ing the trip only on special occasions.
Just as the sun began to gid the
upper slopes, through the frosty air
under a cloudless sky the jolly group
cantered away up the rough noun
tain road. All got we'll settled to the
saddle on the first four miles Of grad
ual ascent. We rode face to face with
the balsam- covered slopes, the way
ever growing sleeper as the road lost
1tself in a narrow trail The cl1nfp
was on now in earnest. But the air
was 50 fresh and full Of ozone, the
way SO varied at every turn, the for
ests trees SO grand, and the vegeta-
ton such a rich green that we were
obiiViouS to the rest of the world A
shady nook here, a tiny waterfall
there, some marvellous formation
around the bend lured lis on Sugar
mapleS. chest nuts and oaks lifted