Evening star., 1936-06-28

:
en- route TO Fredericksburg and Will
liamsburg. The Maryland landing OF
Hoes Ferry"
At the little village of WaySide you
enter a dirt road that leads to the
wharf. Slow down, for it's little
bumpy in spots.
Figure on trifie over two hours to
get this far, although an hour and
half's brisk driving will do the trick.
II you left Washington around 8
O'Clock you can easily make the 1890
ferry, with time to spare. You simply
drive your car down to the wharf and
line up with the other cars. Usually
there are at least five or six autos al
reaGy on hand, and occasionally a
dozen or So.
What Is the charge for the 34-min-
ute trip TO Potomac Beach? For
chauffeur and car. 81, plus 20 cents
| for each additional passenger. 1t Is
expensive, but the river journey is lot
OF fun. involving refreshlngly cool
ride across the broad stretch of the
/
along a pair of binoculars. With their
aid on fairly clear day, you can make
out scenic points as far away as Is
miles. Or so claims the ferryboat cap
tain.
You won't be greatly thrilled over
Potomac Beach. It's barely more than
a name, although it does have tiny
strip of bathing beach.
As YOUR tires strike the road lead
ing from the wharf you are now
in Westmoreland County, Va. Head
straight ahead few feet to the main
highway and take the turn to the left
for Colonial Beach, q mile or so away.
This road has been reSurfaced lately
and makes for smooth riding.
! Colonial Beach must be favorite
for Washingtonians. for by far the
greatest number of cars parked in the
vicinity are from the District. Surf
riding facilities here are excellent
There's lot of white sand and long
stretch of beach. The hotel claims to
/ offer ample accommodations for fish,
! ing trips. Trout, rock, perch. croakers
and hardheadS are plentiful.
/ A portion of the hotel was formerly
the home OF the celebrated Reyolu
tionary Cavalry officer, Light Horse"
Harry Lee. His large Colonial parlors
have been converted into lounge
and writing rooms. There are open
flreplaces.
| The hotel occupies the northerly
! half of the beach front. 1t is situated
with a full view of the Potomac
stretching miles across. The hotel
is surrounded by five acres of private
grounds with shade trees.
If you made the 1920 ferry. you
reach the beach we'll before noon. A
leiSurely frolic in the surf. brief
sun bath and you're in tip-top shape
! for a 12-mile drive to Wakefield.
You now have your choice of two
routes. Either 60 first of all along
2O5 to Oak Grove and thence along
Route till it meets 204 and then
/ along 204 to your destination; or else
| follow the shortcut road (easily To-
Gated by signs) along the Potomac
! TO Wakefield Probably the former
/ way is advisab BILE, since the condition
/ of the road along the river is rather
bad
Whichever route you take, be pre-
pared for brief session of rough
riding. For Route 3 is undergoing re-
construction. Highway engineers are
starting work on fine. wide roadway.
Which means that the road is torn
up for a space of at least miles to
degree that may be somewhat an
noying. However. the trip to Wake
/ field is worth a bit of nuisance, so
don't be discouraged. Truth to tell,
the highway isn't as bad as 1t looks.
WHEN you reach Wakefield, drive
straight into the beautifully
wooded estate and, guided by road
signs, head first of all for the picnic
| grounds. No doubt you are rather
hungry after your ride and swim. The
grounds have plenty of large tables
and delicious. cool spring water. The
view here is excellent, the location
being on a lovely promontory of
Popes Creek.
There's no need to describe Wake
field, for you can see it for yourself.
However, be sure to get closeup of
the reconstructed mansion. and by all
means visit the Washington family
burial grounds. A half hours visit here
will give you the high lights of this
| historic spot.
In returning to the main highway
(Which Is under repair almost the en-
tire distance to Stratford and requires
rather slow driving) you need not re-
trace your steps. Simply follow the
road which circles round the grounds,
and finally emergeS from Route 204
onto Route g. Continue on this until
you hit 214. which takes you directly
to Stratford.
The estate nestles deep into the trees
possibly three-fourths of a mile from
the highway. The grounds today are
in a fine state of preservation. Many
crops are under cultivation. The corn
Is now about feet high, early oats
seem to be ripe and about ready to be
cut; there are fine horses in the
stables, and numerous log cabins and
residences for the caretakers.
The Robert E. Lee Memorial Foun-
dation, Inc, was organized in 1929 to
purchase, restore and preserve the
estate as a national shrine in perpetual
memory of Robert z. Lee. Mrs Charles
d. Lanier of Greenwich, Conn. presi-
dent of the foundation. Is assisted by
board of directors representing 81
States.