Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-04
WANDERLUSTERS REVEL
IN "W|LDS" OF VIRGINIA
Hundreds With Cameras and Lunch
Baskets Enjoy Walk
Through Country.
Men and Women, Old and Young.
and Quite Few Children
Hit the Trail.

with the weather all tnat could De de-
sired. 1t was a happy party of wander
lusters that left the Virginia end Of the
Aqueduct bridge yesterday afternoon for
the third Community hike And It was
still happy. though somewhat weary.
party that returned late in the day after
exploring the '.wilds' of Virginia.
Uphill-and they were some hills. too
and down dale: over roads that In some
cases left considerable real estate flying
in the air, and others that told of count
less blossoms. and an abundance of fresh
air, no matter in what direction the trail
led, the party hiked. Frequent stops were
made, in order to enjoy the scenery, the
flowers, and-quite incidentally. of course
the boxes of lunch which the wander
lusters had brought with them in accord
ance with the advice given by Chief Wan
derluster John Boyle.
Almost an hour before the time set for
the afternoon jaunt lovers of the out
doors from all over Washington began to
assemble. By the time set for the de-
parture the assembled mixers numbered
well into the hundreds. They stood around
in little groups sat on the piles OF
lumber that stand at the end Of the
bridge and chatted and became better
acquainted. Chief Boyle and others OF
the original Alpinos stood ready with the
hand of welcome to greet the lunch and
camera bedecked walkers.
Start Was Delayed.
Hearing that the cars on the F street
line had been tied up. Chief Wanderluster
Boyle decided to postpone the start Of
the hike for few minutes It was about
BIS when he gave the signal for depart
ing.
Stringing out into line about three or
four across the wanderlusters began the
walk that was declared by many to be
the best Yet taken. 1t was. indeed rather
a picturesque procession, some with CAM
eras strung across their backs. some with
telescope, field and opera glasses dangling
at their sides and practically all carry
ing lunch boxes or baskets as a forttfica-
ton against the appetite they felt sure
would follow the jaunt.
Men and women, old and young, and
quite few children hit the trail" Prac-
tically every one was dressed for the oc-
casion-that is. in comfortable clothes.
One of the most experienced wander
lusters was left to gather up the mixers
who might come late. These were placed
in smaller groups. or If they cared were
started on the trail to catch up with
the main party. 1t was nearly half-past
3 when the last Of the mixers left, nearly
a hundred stragglers having come in
between this time and that Of departing.
One Carries Police Whistle.
The trip was full not only of the beau
ties OF nature. but also OF humor and
Many of those who went
were a little fearsome Of being lost. and
one of the beskirted mixers explained to
Mr. Boyle that she had brought her po-
lice whistle. which she intended to blow
if she should get lost. Mr.. oyle promised
to keep his ear open for the whistle. but
assured her she could not possibly get
lost if she would only follow the trail.
Titus Ulke. who started with a party
just few minutes before 8 o'clock yes
terday morning, also had an excellent
trip, according to reports brought In by
the sixty or more "early birds" These
early walkers made speciality of field
study of birds and flowers, morning be-
ing the time when the little songsters
are out in full force.
Morning Hike Successful.
Chief Scout Titus Ulke Of the Alpine
Club reports today that the first Sunday
morn nature study walk Of the wander
lusters was success.
The fear that the crowd would be too
large to be guided and advised was not
realized On the other hand, the char
acter and intelligence of this nature-lov-
ing crowd were as noticeable and high as
was expected. A number of distinguished
government officials, both men and
women; teachers librarians. students. and
several of the prettiest and brightest girls
of Washington were present.
The route lay through region noted
for its beauty and its historical, geologi-
cal, botanical and ornltholoSlcal interest.
The canal surveyed by George Wash
ington and operated for a number OF
wears was followed from its outlet to its
source, the beginning of the mill race
used about hundred years ago above the
first rapid of Difficult run was noted as
well as the old foundry and mill ruins at
Great Falls. Geologically speaking, the
region traversed composed chiefly con-
torted gneiss and mica schist with occa-
sional quartz and diorite bikes. partly
oyerlain by the soil resulting from their
decomposition. The Potomac has worn
it's way through these rocks for hundreds
of feet and has left pot holes often sew
eral feet in diameter and perfectly circu-
lar or spiral in shape near the top of
some of the rocky headlands.
Reap a Rich Harvest.
From a botanical standpoint the wan
derlusters reaped rich harvest. Many
rare plants and hundreds of spring flow
ers were observed Among the varieties
noted was the hoary puccoon. Litho-
spermum canescens. not seen except In
1909 by members of the Alpine Club, as
far as is known. since 1877. when one
specimen was found. A patch Of the un-
common wind flower. anemone Quinaue-
folia was also noted.
About fifty birds were observed, among
which were thirteen wood warblers. and
a number of uncommon migrants. The
beautiful indigo bunting. yellow-breasted
chat, Cape May and the hooded warbler
were seen to unusual advantage. and
most of the birds seemed to put forth
their best efforts in song within close
range of the wanderlusters.
So much interest was evidently awak-
ened by this first most enjoyable Sun
day morning outing of the wanderlusters
that numerous requests have been ad-
dressed to Mr.. Ulke to lead them again
next Sunday.