The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1915-04-15
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
TO OAKLAND, ND.
Superb Scenery and Macadam Roads
Found BY Tourist.

county is one of the ENJOYABLE things
of life. 1t is great pleasure in tour
/ ing over this beautiful drive.
Scenery that equals the White Noun
tains of New England and at the pre-
sent time, while the peaks are still
capped with snow. worthy rival of
the European Alps is revealed to the
eyes of the tourists in one gorgeous
view after another.
The far-famed New England roads or
the Alpian highways are not one whit
better than the road which the Old Line
State has constructed from Baltimore
to Cumberland over what is known as
the National turnpike. True, there are
still twenty miles to be completed, six
miles ca st of Hancock and fourteen
miles between Gilpin and Hancock. In
addition, Washington motorists will
have to negotiate the one mile of dirt
road just west of Gaithersburg. This
last named stretch will probably be
finished by May.
The road near Hancock is being re-
located north of the Western Maryland
Railroad tracks, thus eliminating four
dangerous crossings; in the meantime
the old road is being used. At this
time of the year it is little rough, but
in two or three weeks time the travel
will pack the roadbed down so that it
will be perfectly smooth and no trouble
to drive over. The same may be said
of the 14-mile stretch farther west.
Road building machinery is scattered
all along this section, and work will no
doubt commence on it as soon as the
snow is off the mountains. The road
bed is smooth and the grades easy. In
dry weather it will be easy riding; in
wet weather chains are advised
Leaving Washington the autoist has
twenty-five miles of irst-class maca-
dam, then one mile of dirt road; from
this point to within six miles of Han
cock, total mileage of seventy-six
miles, it is straightway over road that
is as good as the best drive in Rock
Creek park. The first mountain west
of Hancock, known locally as Sideling
Hill, has been macadamized to the foot
of the western slope. The view from
the top of this mountain is superb and
well worth 15-minute halt.
This is the beginning of the unim-
proved portion of the road, but at Gil
pin the macadam begins again and
leads all the way into Cumberland. OF
the 143 miles without rut or a water
break, the road to Cumberland and re-
turn will be termed the ideal drive out
of Washington.
The Post pathfnders covered this
route on recent Sunday in a Locomo-
bile six touring car, and were fortunate
in selecting al ideal day. 1t is doubt
full if the opportunity will again afford
during the coming season the view of
the mountains as they were at that
time. They left Washington a few
minutes after five in the morning and
at o'clock sat down to breakfast at
Hagerstown. By this time the sun was
up and the air had the feel of spring in
it. Crossing the Cumberland valley the
real entrance into the AlIegany Noun
tains begins.
Far off to the left a peak of the exact
shape of the Pyramid rises above the
surrounding territory. The south sid
of this hill is cultivated and showed a
slight tinge of green. Blue birds and
robins were flying about and not a sign
of winter was to be noted. One hour
later the north side of this peak came
into view. 1t was covered with snow
from top to bottom. All this time the
Locomobile had been climbing steadily
up the mountain side. The sun was
shining warmly, when suddenly in
rounding curve the car shot into a
snow-covered road and the frigid vino
chilled the passengers.
For the balance of the day the eli.
mate alternated between winter and
spring. When running along the south
side of the mountains where the sur
was shining it was warm and pleasant,
but soon the top or bottom was reached
and the curve made to the forth side,
where snow, cold, and ice were found
in abundance. By this time. however,
the sun has travelled farther north and
all the snow and ice have been melted
In two or three more weeks the trees
will be in leaf and the first wild flowers
will be making their 1915 bow. Then
) will be the time 10 take this trip.
FromsCumberland to Oakland is al.
most one continuous ride over anC
among the Allegany mountains, amidst
the most delightful, picturesquescenery
1t is one constant panorama of Gods
handiwork. Over hills and mountains,
through fertile valleys and by cozy
farm houses along the old historic
National Pike. From Frostburg tc
Oakland one is in wonderland" Charm.
ing, delightful, magnificent you cry as
you pass oyer the splendid State high.
way.