Evening star., 1932-01-31
SOUTHLAND TOUR
LURES MOTORISTS
Good Highways Possess
Many irresistible
Features.

NAONN1AlB bAAOUBLl IllC OONtAAAaAANt
over good highways, adorned by beau
tful flowers and shrubs where the days
tre warmer, brighter and seemingly
longer proves a lure that few autoiSJG
can resist provided cares of the busi-
ness world can be temporarily set
aside. If a new car is at hand the at
traction proves that much stronger.
Until comparatively recent years,
journey South by motor was an srdu-
Gus, tiresOme and oiSagreeable under
taking. Highways were not only Cir
cuitOuS, but there was also the prob
ability Of spending hours and occa-
sionally night stalled in a mud hole.
1t was impossible to forecast with any
degree Of accuracy how long it would
take to complete the distance.
Conditions Changed.
In the last two or three years this
condition has changed and the motor
lists now are going South with the op-
ton of several all hard surfaced routes.
The newest of these routes and prob
ably the best and most interesting is
by way Of Fredericksburg, Richmond
and Petersburg, leading through that
section OF Virginia which is at once
full of scenic SplendOrs and historic in
terest If one can leisurely ride
through the State of Virginia and read
the signs recording events of history,
much pleasure and knowledge will be
the result. No effort has been spared
by the State to make the highways in
teresting. This route is known as U.
S No. l, and continues into Raleigh,
the capital Of North Carolina. The
distance from Washington to Raleigh,
297 miles, makes a nice run for the
day and there choice of good hotels
can be found Raleigh is about $50
miles from the ocean. but after trav-
cling directly south for approximately
100 miles the difference in temperature
is quite noticeable. The proximity OF
the Gulf Stream to the coastal section
OF North and South Carolina is re-
Sponsible for the mild temperature and
ideal climatic conditions.
Leaving Raleigh on North Carolina
State Route No. 2l, leading directly
south through Fayetteville and cOntin-
uing on Route % through Lumberton,
Lake View, Nichols and Mullins TO
Conway, the motoriSt finds himself in
the coastal section of South Carolina.
Conway is but a few miles from the
Atlantic and for the next 100 miles
the road continues almost on paral-
lei with the ocean. Less than five
wears ago, a highway through this Sec
ton Of the South was only dream.
but by degrees the work was started
and now one of the finest roads in the
entire country is a reality. Not only
Is this a beautifully constructed con-
crete highway, known as S. c. Route
No. 40, but the unusual scenery has
already made this famous route.
Quaint Town of Georgetown.
Less than 40 miles from Conway,
the road leads through the outskirts
of Georgetown, one of the Oldest and
uuaintest towns to be seen anywhere.
Just off the highway a few miles after
leaving Georgetown can be seen the
Belle Isle Gardens, which are famed
for their flowers and Shrubbery of all
descriptions. Route No. 80 continues
through a veritable maze OF enhancing
natural avenues, composed Of huge
oaks draped with hanging moss.
Mount Pleasant presents a very pleas
ing sight and by turning left at this
point, and leaving Route 40, an ideal side
trip can be made to Fort Mouitrie, Sui
livanS Island and the Isle of Palms at
which latter point one may enjoy the
pleasures of beach riding. This is one
of the finest beaches in the South and
it is rapidly becoming a drawing card
for all motorists.
Looking west from Mount Pleasant
the City of Charleston is plainly visi-
ole dCIOSS IIlG SOOpGI TSlNCIB "lllSAl -
one of the contributing causes Of one
of the most beautiful harbors in the
world. The trip across the river via
the Cooper River Bridge is one which
the motOriSt will recall with pleasure.
This bridge towers above the city and
harbor of Charleston and is truly an
engineering masterpiece. It is not the
longest nor the highest bridge in the
world, but due to its particularly pc
culiar design. its component parts
make it one of the most unusual and
completed about two years ago, and
since then thousands Of people have
been enthusiastic in their praises OF
the undertaking.
Realms of the Past.
Leaving the Cooper River Bridge,
which is a proof of modern ingenuity,
one enters Charleston and Immediately
becomes enveloped in the realms Of the
past. The contrast in such a short
distance IS striking Churches, dwell
ings and other buildings which have
stood for centuries are encountered on
every hand Continuing south on
Meeting street or on other streets in
similar direction to the Battery, one
passes through an area where almost
lsvery foot of land is of historical In
lterest. Charleston Is a city OF real
charm, and must be visited to be ap-
precfated. A few miles north Of Charles
ION Is club, a proprietors' organi-
cation, owned by 200 Of the most
prominent men of the country. The
distance from Raleigh to Charleston
is 26O miles. over this route, which
also Is the shortest route between the
two towns, the latter also having fine
hotel accommodations
The road south, known as Route No
II, leads on through the coastal sec
ton for another 100 miles, surrounded
by forests and evergreen Shrubbery,
giving the appearance Of perpetual
Spring time. Savannah, Ga, 126
miles from Charleston, is another city
deserving Of visit. Its streets, lined
with trees and well cared for lawns, are
most restful.
Good Road Continues.
Still the al-Weather road continues
on into Florida where Jacksonville
awaits the traveller a little short Of 200
miles From there, Florida roads open
UP everywhere. East and West Coasts
beckon the motorist Good hotels
sbound.
For the resident of the National