The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1919-08-27
D. B. DICKSON WRITES
INTERESTINGLY OF
"TRIP TO TOP OF
MT. MITCHELL
Editor Telegram:

Editor Telegram:
Leaving Lakeland Aug. Sth, we
found the roads mostly good coming |
north, some places fine, all passable.
Coming by Orlando and Ocala we
spent the first night with my brother
at Mcintosh; thence by Lake City and
Madison to Moultrie the second night.
The third day arriving at old home
Talnotton, Ca, where spent three
days with relatives, eating fried
chicken and watefmelons, some
weighing as much as 60 pounds, aa1
So sweet and fine that could scarcely
resist overeating.
Coming ON by Atlanta and by Green-
vile, S. c., we struck the mountains
FAR Saluda, N. G. passing around
through Hendersonville where Mr.
and Mrs. W. D. Edwards and others
from Lakeland. were stopping, on
through Asheville out to Black Noun
tain, where we found the H. B. Car
ter family, the McIllmain family and
Mrs. Flanagan and children.
The drive around mountains before
reaching Hendersonville was grand,
but what wanted to tell about most
) ly was the trip to Mt. Mitchelrs peak
GILL feet high, with 20 foot observa-
ton tower on the peak, where also
Mr.. Mitchell is buried by request.
This is a trip coveted by many too
feeble bodied or chicken hearted to
undertake.
There is logging track and train
> going within 1 IA miles of the top,
but they do not take up any passen-
gers, so the only way is to hike the
mountain trail for IS miles there and
: the same back, and believe me it is
some tramp over mountains and
: rocks and through forests.
We got an early start, carrying
lunch, there were 16 in the start but
when we had gone about miles 6
7 of the party turned back. 10 of us
), proceeded. There were some clouds
!. and light sprinkle, but later as we
rounded rugged mountain slopes and
. knowls and climbed higher and high.
er we left the clouds below and were
able to see them from above as they
beat against the mountain sides be-
low. The last IA miles though
sleeper was somewhat improved by
the Government, with occasional com
Portable benches for the weary trav
eler to throw himself on to rest ant
catch fresh breath for another up
n ward climb. Finally we reached the
10 summit and Joined in a triumpha
4 shout as we climbed the tower. W.
were reminded of the expression lift
Of ed above the clouds, but we lifted
at ourselves. God giving us strength t,
m endure. And we also thought of tina
sweet song, Living on the Mountain
top. The scene from the tower wa
It, grand as we could look over noun
tains and valley for most 100 mile
as explained by sign and the mour
tain warden.
We could see Mt Pisgah. TIL
ay craggies, the Pinacle, the Balsams
Grandfather Mountain, the Smoky an
is Blueridge.
ry The air was quite cool on top.
de drew on my coat. The warden tol
lis us they had frost 10 months in tn
year skipping July and August, an
that winter before last temperatur
went % below zero
We spent the night on the moul
tain where there was logging cam
and commissary. The people at tn
camp were kind in arranging lodgin
ne and serving meals. l slept under
TO pair of blankets and comforts an
Oh when | would put my arm out fro
rp' under cover | would feel like | had
OF in Mr.. DeMilly's ice storage room, al
the water running direct out of Il
. rocks in the side Of the mountain SUI
tasted like it had ton of his ice ju
back out of sight. The coolest natu
LIT al flowing water | ever drank. v
took kodak snaps at the setting 81
- and other magnificent scenery. v
n. brought back sprigs of the mounta
- black Balsom tree and spruce and OF
A. er mountain shrubbery.
inc We arrived back at our Inn t
90 next afternoon somewhat tired, b