Evening star., 1936-08-02
Mountain Resort Area
Makes Interesting Week
End Automobile Tour.
ByJames Nevin Miller.


= 4 journey may include an
hours stop-over at Orkney Springs,
one Of the most popular resorts in the
Old Dominion: peep at one or more
Of the famous underground caverns
around New Market and Harrison
burg, and a brief visit to picturesque
Winchester, nationally known for the
quality and quantity Of its apples.
The great Valley Of Virginia, with
its wealth of historical interest, in
comparable scenic beauty. cool breezes
and roads that are Joy to all motor
lists, is a place Of enchantment the
year around, but 1t is especially lovely
in Summer, when the virgin forests
take on their mantle Of deepest green.
And Is it grand fun to travel on
those broad stretches Of macadam
road? Well, it's a lot like riding a
roller coaster. Up and down the steep
hills and vast valleys you zoom. feel
ing for all the world like youngster
on his first visit to an amusement
park.
From Washington there are two
main routes, both Of which are ex-
ceedingly pleasant. There's the new
highway via Fairfax that turns at
Boyce to White Post, Stephens City.
and finally Orkney Springs. distance
of about 116 miles.
But from the standpoint Of variety,
the following route, not much longer
and easy to follow, Is suggested: Get
on the Lee Highway and follow route
2ll to Falls Church, Fairfax, thence
to Warrenton. Sperryville, Luray, New
Market and Mount jackson. Here you
reach route 1853 and it should be
taken West to Orkney Springs.
Following this route, your journey
leads almost direct through Shenan-
doah National Park. In fact, you cut
it in two, for Sperryville divides the
park half and half. north and south.
Not only do you enter the gloriously
lovely Blue Ridges, but toward the
end Of your trip you skirt the Ale
ghenies. Truly this is natures ideal
playground, with health riding the
pine-laden breezes that come sweep
ing over the nightly mountain ranges.
DON'T be annoyed If on these
week eod trips an early start Is
always recommended Surely none OF
us wants to drive in heavy traffic
Eight o'clock Is the best time to start
todays tour. and you have the joyful
assurance that not single large city
or other congested area has to be
traversed.
If possible, take q Virginia guide
book with you. It's key to all the
Inscriptions on the Old Dominion's
historical highway markers and can
be obtained by writing to the State
Commission on Conservation and De-
velopment. Richmond, Va.
Just to show how helpful the book
let is-when you drive miles west
of Fairfax. you'll note a road sign
BIB" If you own book there's
no necessity for stopping your car
and reading the sign. Simply turn to
Bib in the book and you'll note
Action Of OK Hill. Stonewall Jack
son reached OK Hill (Chantilly) cr
September !, 1862, attempting to pre-
vent Pope, at Centreville, from re-
treating to Alexandria. The Confed-
crate came into contact with Union
troops, and there followed a fierce
action, ended by storm and darkness
Gen. Philip Kearny was killed. Pope
fell back to Alexandria"
Drive slowly through Warrenton
This is hallowed historical ground
John Marshall, first Chief Justice, was
born in Fauquier County. Horse rae
ing and fox hunting are at their best
in this section Of Virginia. Warrenton
Is also noted for its fine estates. In
and around this section are the homes
Of some Of the country's most socially
prominent citizens. Warrenton's horse
show Is nationally known. Here, on
the first Saturday in May of each
year, blooded thoroughbreds compete
for the famous VirgAAa Gold Cup