The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-09-03


after ascending to cowee Gap from
Cashiers Valley we entered the High
lands, the Gem of the Mountains.
Arriving at the town of Highlands
after an eight hour drive it was too dark
to note any changes since our departure
as years previous, but after a nights
sound sleep under blankets tour of in
spection was the first item next morning.
The village proper. of about $50 in
habitants, did not show much change,
but around the edges Of the town, built
in the midst of the heavy growth of
timber and shrubbery we found the great
change. Ten or dozen large hotels or
boarding houses and any number of fine
cottages and magnificent summer res.
licences were to be found nestled away
among the trees. A portion of our old
homestead property had been converted
into park, with drives. rustic walks and
beautiful lake. The finest private res
idence here has just been, completed by
Mr.. Anderson. of Chicago. of .puffed
rice" fame, at cost Of $25, ooo Numer-
GUS other homes. also show Eevidence of
wealth and taste. A sanitarium for tuber-
culosis patients is located near the town
and owned and operated by lady
physician.
The day was spent in looking up old
acquaintances, about dozen families Of
whom still remained, and asking after
those who had scattered all over the
Union.
A full week was then spent in revisit
ing the points of interest near the town
and for the number and variety Of mag.
ni6cent mountain views and waterfalls
near at hand and easy of access, High
lands will easily lead all the other resorts
10 this much favored Land of the Sky"
A little over mile from the center OF
the town is the summit OF Mt. Satulah,
nearly 5000 feet high, from which most
magnificent view may be obtained, South
Carolina, Georgia and the mountain
ranges of Tennessee being seen in the
distance. The ascent is easily made, a
drive extending most Of the way for those
who prefer an easy grade TO the sleeper
and shorter TRAIL From this eminence
one can look down on lesser peaks near
at hand and others of like magnitude.
Rabun Bald, Dog, Scaley, Chimney Top.
Fodder Stack, Black Rock, Bear Pen.
Short OFF, Terrapin and Whiteside are
the names of some of the surrounding
peaks. Whiteside mountain, five and
a half miles distant from Highlands, is
IN many respects the most striking peak
40 North Carolina. Rising to height OF
5000 feet, its southernmost face is an
immense precipice of white rock. which,
towering perpendicularly 1900 feet is
July two miles long and, curved SO as 10
form the arc of circle. The ascent
from the other side is easily made and
the view is one of surprising grandeur.
AS almost daily happens the clouds
descend or rise like mist from the coves
near the base and while the sun NAV be
shining brightly overhead, al. below is
shut from view by the fleecy curtain.
While making the trip on foot along q
long abandoned trail four pheasants were
flushed which rose with whirr that SO
gladdens the sportsman's ear, and while
sitting on the hotel porch the partridges
could be heard calling to their mates
morning and evenings. .
| While we in Rising Sun have been sui.
fering from weeks ofdrouth this mountain
region has had an unusually wet season
and during our weeks stay there were
showers and gusts, daily, heavy while
they lasted but soon over. aud the sun
shining brightly within a few minutes.
The soil is so light and sandy that one
is not troubled with mnd and no one
minds getting caught in shower while
roughing it in the mountains.
To attempt to describe the many beauti.
full waterfalls with which this region
aoonnds IS beyond the power of pen or
I pencil, they must he seen to be ap.
preciated. Cullasaja Falls. about three
miles distant from the town. are perhaps
the most striking, as the waters of the
cullasaja sugar Fork have sheer fall
of over hundred feet from an over
hanging ledge and one may walk dry
shod across the stream behind the falls.
This scene, alone With the sunlight play.
ing on the foamy torrent would give fame
Ito the section aud it is only one of many.
| On an oak tree in the center of the
town is the government mark showing
the elevation of the plateau on which the
town is built, 38a3 feet, with mountains
rising from all sides, some to height of
5000 feet. The best of accommodations