Evening star., 1928-05-13
BY G. ADAMS HOWARD,
Automobile Editor.

SdpttAi over WSn CON0lblOnG0 TOHQS al
the way and through scenes of historic
interest. bedecked on all sides by ma
ture's most beautiful handiwork.
The bridge itself is of both natura
and historical interest. Situated II
Rockbridge County. few miles to The
west of the Blue Ridge Mountains IL
the heart of the great Appalachian VAL
ley of western Virginia, the span of 2ls
feet IN height today has been caused
by the erosion of time of more than a
million years. aided by Cedar Greek
that winds its way beneath and later
emptieS into the James River. The
bridge was included in the l57 acres
granted to Thomas Jefferson by King
George III In IT74 for the consideration
OF 20 shillingS. The area was surveyed
previously in 1850 by George Washing
ton. then in the employ OF Lord FAIR
fax
Character of Road.
But let's not cross this bridge until
we come to it. Beforehand, the motoriSt
must do almost a day of traveling-a
day. however, filled with visions of
Splendor and views of places immortal
lied in the history making of America
A long trip of this kind often causes
apprehension to the motoriSt. The his
foric and scenic beauty often Is lost. II
the driver has to struggle along poor
roads with towns lacking in adequate
hotel accommodations, He returns
from his trip. worn out diSgruntled and
probably both himself and his automo-
bile needing a rest, II not repair.
In this case at least. such appre-
l1enSion is groundleSs. The roadway
is all hard surface-either concrete or
macadam. To be sure there are few
places that are little bumpy, due to
selid-tired trucks during the warm
days. but these can be quickly glided
over without discomfort. A couple OF
bad turns exist. but they are well
marked and in most places properly
banked. A couple of narrow bridges
interrupt the wider roadway. but these,
too. have cautioning signs ahead. few
railroad crossings remain, but II one
obeys the State law that requires the
operator to slow down to 5 miles per
hour in crossing, no fear need be en-
tertained. Best of all. perhaps, is the
absence Of detours. the sign for which
IN properly dreaded by most motorists.
The highways are well marked and
tablets commemorating various histori-
cal events flank both sides OF the road.
The route. designated as 2ii and
called the Lee Highway, crosses the
Key Bridge in Georgetown. and bears
u the right in RoSslyn, and proceeds
up the hill leading into Cherrydale.
Beyond Cherrydale the route takes the
form Of q fine concrete road, newly
built. running through Falls Church
into Fairfax Court House, distance
~ II miles from the heart Of Washing
TIM Do not take the road bearing right
beyond Cherrydale. although Fairfax
can be reached this way. by going to-
ward Chain Bridge. but 1t Is somewhat
longer and the highway is not as good.
Fairfax is the first historic spot on
the route from the District OF Colum-
hia, Here the first soldier fell in the
Civil War. A tablet marks the place.
In the courthouse the mill Of Wash
ington is preserved The town still
carries the air Of the old ante-bellum
Gays, probably the most northern town
in the State that so does.
Other Towns on Route.
Here the route, although still the
Lee Highway, is designated route so
which Is so named all the way into
winchester. Prom here the smooth
nacadam carries one through rolling
countryside past Chantilly and Aide
Do not turn left q short distance from
Fairfax This route goes into Warren
ton. Luray and New Market can be
reached this way. but stretches along
# have not been completed. and while
the distance lis somewhat shorter the go
ing Is poor In these stretches. From Aide
into MiddIeburg. the macadam. smooth
until now, becomes somewhat rough.
For four or five miles the most care
fili driver cannot miss these small Tuts.
To the right a road appears leading
into Leexburg. Do not take this road,
but keep straight ahead into Middle
burg.
The temporary roughness now disap-
pears and the route leads on through
verdaf1t farming country, vast and well
kept up estates being on every side. The
land here is rich and fertile. and be-
sides crop raising. there Is consider
able hOrse-b breeding carried on. The
horese are raised not only for the race
tracks. but for the shows and hunts
Of the country. Middlebu~g Is n miles
from Fairfax.
From Msddleburg 10 Upperville and
Paris, distance Of II miles. the scenery
becomes more enchanting. The Blue
Ridge cores into view more distinctly
and the green Of the farmland extends
40 into the wooded mountains them.
selves A wooden bridge with two un'
necessary turns in II looms up after q
few downward curves leading into Mil.
wood and Boyce. II is here that ons
catches the FIRST glimpse OF the Shensn'
dozh. q beautiful river that flows neal
the roadside down much OF the valley
Following a winding stretch Of road tht
r1ot0rist reaches Winchester where the
annual apple blossom festivals are held
The distance from Paris % Winchester
Is 10 miles. From way back the tourist
has noted the HnaFkers along the road
where some cavalry engagement or Other
gkigTniSh has been perpetuateo In his
tory. The names Of stuart and Eari
are fec0EnEed+
The E1ot0rist need not drive through
winchester If he 6oeS not wish 20. f0l
the highway, now designated ~ f0DU
ii. and now called for stretch tn
T.ee-Jzckson Memorial Highway. al
though still known more fsnliliarly 81
the Valley Pike. skirts the city on ~
-,ag s<nsfhwzr6 Winchester abound
with historical Interest. II Ii the sec0rlf
p1dfst city In the State and IL identified
With Indian, Revolutionary and Ciyi
war fame During the isttsr II VIA
ssken and Fetzken by the opposlni
forces n times Washington, afte
gFsddoek's defeat, established and bull
Port L<osid0fn igl the campaign sgsinS
tiae French and Indiana
Mountains In Distance.
Drifting d0Bn the shenandoah Val
lev which means the Valley Of th
DsalgfltAF Of the EtaTe. ridges OF noun
tz3ns can bf seen 81 q distance oi
either side. Here tremendous en-
esgenents between the Fedefals and "a
TIonfsdeTsths ere married. Lee sfid Jsck
son. Sheridan and Banks and Esriy sI'
a host Of others names are cbiselso ~
tabletA sometimes only lew biI1oTe'
Yards apart Many of TIE now peaege
flgI farm fields were once Dloocy battle
efoln0E II was si0ng this streteD
Yosd that Sheridan made hh iam0i
ride. How peaceful all u nov, szGep
tne noises Of TIE automobile horns
Passing through KernsLoWn. stephen
City and MiddIeLown, the PIKE continue
along II, q straight line, more or less =
tstrasisuYg. o distance II 10 miles A
s.ets SsassT5ffFe fi1e NaEsSIillifRH Noun