The Washington times., 1931-12-10
RAMBLING
THROUGH
THE
SOUTH
By The TraUeLer-

with me, and every fall, just
when the vanguard of birds start
winging toward the warmer
climes, the haunting fear of what
Hamilton Wright would call the
''gelid blasts of winter" completely
overpowerS me and I hasten to
join the trek back to summer.
time.
Fine roads, leading through hos.
pitable cities, offer a variety OF
routes to the South. The Allan
tic Coastal Highway, a bit indi'
rect but religiously following the
coast line, offers a route through
beautiful, substantial old South.
ern towns, tidewater forests. and
agricultural lands. U. S. No. l.
on which the last paved stretch
was completed this year, is the
most direct route from Washing
ton to the land of the palms. Il
you like rolling country, take U.
s. No. 90, the Piedmont Highway,
via Charlottesville, Lynchburg,
Charlotte and Atlanta, or if your
preference the mountains, a fine
route is available via U. S. Nos.
IL and 25, which goes through
the Shenandoah Valley, Natural
Bridge and Asheville.S swinging
over to Augusta and U. S. No. /.
TIDEWATER TRAIL
An interesting way to start the
trip is over the Tidewater Trail.
crossing the York River via ferry,
visiting Yorktown and crossing
the James River bridgeto Norfolk.
The Carolinas next beckon. Dur
ham, home of Duke University.
now well established on its new
campus, boasts of splendid new
hotel, the washington Duke,
while Raleigh, the State capital
of North Carolina, affords warm
hospitality at the Sir Walter Ho-
tel.
In South Carolina, Columbia,
the capital of the State. located
on U. S. No. /, offers splendid
hotels and fine recreational fac1l-
tiles on Lake Murray, huge ar
.tificial lake made by a power de-
v d lew AAOAAA OAAN
city. Aiken, south of Columbia, is
known as the Southern polo cap
ital of the United States. On ac-
count of the equestrian interests
of it's population, Aiken still keeps
most of it's streets unpaved SO as
to be more conSiderate OF the
hoofs of the thoroughbreds who
are constantly being riden or
driven through town. Aiken has
13 polo fields. Near Aiken, is Au-
gusta, famous for its bracing win
ter climate, beautiful resort hotels
and golf courses.
HISTORIC CITY
Down by the coast is historic
Charleston, where the lombard
ment of Fort Sumter by the Con:
federates, precipitated the civil
war. On the Charleston Battery,
a beautiful park overlooking the
water, the Fort Sumter Hotel now
stands as a symbol of the friend
ship of the South with its thou
sands Of Northern visitors. Ro-
land Monford, formerly Of Wash
ington, is manager of the Fort
Sumter. One small shop IN
Charleston bears two unique his
torical records, for it is the Oldest
hat store in the United States,
and also possesses the oldest cigar
store Indian. Near Charleston
are the famous Middleton and
Magnolia gardens and the town
of S1nmerville. Trees in Sum
merville are protected by law
and all the inhabitants take great
interest in their trees and flowers
Looking like dense forest at
first glance, Summervllle IS one
of the most unique cities in the
South with many beautiful homes
and gardens, fine hotels and
recreational facilities.
A WORLD PLAYGROUND
Crossing the st. Mary's River
into Georgia, Florida, one Of the
greatest winter Fairgrounds in
the world, is reached. Florida S
population more than doubles in
the winter. Every town is a re-
sort.
The first city is Jacksonville.
then st. Augustine, Oldest city in
America, interesting for its old
buildings, and Fort Marion, which
is still standing in splendid con-
dition. The Monson Hotel, OF
which Arthur Young is the genial
host, is a leading hotel here.
Daytona, with the worlds most
famous beach, is just south Of
st. Augustine. Auto speed tests
and races are held every winter.
Daytona is a popular point, both
summer and winter.
RESORTS ABOUND
y Reached enroute while crossing
the State is DeLand, home of
Stetson University; Orlando, a
charming city among the lakes;
Ocala, in Marion county, where
the crystal clear Silver Springs
are located, and st. Petersburg.
the tourist Mecca of the West
Coast, where every possible kind
of advertisement is provided for
the interest of winter visitors.
Palatial resort hotels and COM
Portable cottages thrive alike in
this sunshine town. An active
District of Columbia Club thrives
IN st. Petersburg. South Of st.
Petersburg are Bradenton. Boca
Grande, a fisherman'S paradise,
and Ft. Myers. A faScina ting
trip is possible across the Ever
cladeS tn Miami andN Miami