Evening star., 1936-11-01

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Gap, and finally back to the District
via Madison. Culpeper and Warren
ton.
A slight variation OF this trip, and
perhaps few miles longer. is No. g.
First head directly for Front Royal
via Leesburg, then journey the sc
miles along the drive to Swift Run
Gap and return to Washington by way
of Warrenton and then past Falls
| Church over the Lee Highway.
Proposed trip No. 4 permits you.
now that the Harpers Ferry Bridge is
open to highway travel for the first
time since the Spring floods. to travel
, to the drive by way of Maryland. West
Virginia and Virginia. First follow
Sixteenth street or Wisconsin avenue
and along Route 240. through Bethes-
| da and Rockville. Then, when Fred
erick is reached, take $40 down
through Harpers Ferry, go next
through Charles Town (West Vir-
ginia), Berryville (Virginia) and Byce,
where Route 3 should be picked up
and taken to Fort Royal, where the
drive is followed. Distance Travelled
thus far is about 104 miles. Any of
the return routes mentioned can then
be taken back to the District. Or, if
you prefer, you can come back from
Swift Run Gap by turning to the west
(through the Valley past Elkton and
down the main Shenandoah Valley
(Route 11) to Winchester. thence
back to Washington either by U. S. so
or via Harpers Ferry.
WHEN you reach the drive be on
the lookout for the numerous
historic landmarks. 1t was from the
vicinity Of Swift Run Gap in 1716
that Gov. Alexander Spottswood Of
Virginia, with q number of enthusiast
tic followers, surveyed the domain,
untrodden until then by white men.
George Washington, during the
French and Indian War, passed over
this terrain. Old military roads still
exist, which resounded during the
days Of 81 to the galloping hoofbeats
Of those intrepid Cavalry riders, Phil
Sheridan Of the Union Army and
JubaI Early, with his boys in gray.
Within the park borders, couple
of miles of route 23l, near Criglers-
vile, Is the camp established by
former President Hoover, near the
headwaters of the Rapidan, $500 feet
above sea level. This camp will con-
tinue to be maintained as a place of
relaxation for the Chief Executive
and members of his cabinet, its quick
accessibility to the National Capital
admirably commencing it for week
end visits.
This section of the Blue Ridge is
known throughout the world for the
beauty Of the trees and wild flowers
which grow on its. slopes in great
profusion. The variety Of trees Is
endless. There are pines, hemlccks,
cedars, hickories, birches, beeches,
sycamores, locusts, naples and oaks
of, nearly every kind.
This region, furthermore, has long
been a favorite haunt Of bird lovers.
Forty species have been noted in q
NJ lCl W6lh alOullo E0hyldko
Every motorist should note care
fully the rules to be observed during
his visit to the Shenandoah National
Park:
"It is unlawful to disturb flowers,
shrubs or trees, to mar or deface
signs or buildings. Those wishing to
picnic should use areas established
at Sexton Knoll, South River and
Elkwallow Gap. (See map)
Speed limit is IS miles an hour.
Observe and obey traffic signs. Do
not park on roadway; use parking
areas.
do not throw paper, lunch refuse
or other trash on road or elsewhere.
Place them in provided receptacles
which are located in all parking and
picnic areas.
Fires should be built in desig-
mated picnic areas and camp grounds.
Extinguish fires completely before
leaving. Do not throw burning
matches on the ground. And, finally,
be sure to observe Virginia State
fishing laws, and remember that
hunting is prohibited"
TODAY, approximately ss miles. or
q trifie more than the northern
two-thirds Of the Skyland drive, is
In use. Eventually It will extend
along the summit of the Blue Ridge
for 80 miles. There still remain
around 30 miles under construction.
When the Blue Ridge Parkway,
now under construction. is completed.
another 500 miles Of scenic beauty
will be available to motorists, and
the two great wonderlands Of the
Appalachian chain will be completed.
In other words, this highway will
connect with the southern edge Of
Skyline Drive, will 60 through vir-
ginia and North Carolina and con-
meet with a road through the Great
Smoky Mountain National Parkway
in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Along the drive are three large pic
mic areas. One Is at Elkwallow, Z
miles north Of Panorama: another =