Evening star., 1938-07-31

AASAAtAdl cuL VI lSCo dWdlGul&
wv them and wealth of inter.
4 4 resting scenery. history ano
flora, in the valley of Virginia.
In summertime the vacationist longs
for a quiet place, something different
from the noise and stress of city life
a place to rest amid pleasant sur.
roundings plus invigorating climate
with the amenities of natures beauties
Such is the atmosphere of beautiful
Shrine Mont in the Allegheny Noun.
tains, where both body and mind find
new inspiration and vigor
Entering the old Valley Pike, one will
be surprised at the many tourists,
lovers Of rural places who have ven-
tured on this path before, who an
ticipate enjoying again a real vaca-
ton, with real people.
From Washington, take route so,
via Fairfax. turn south at Boyce, at
White Post and again at Stephen
City. This makes the trip to Orkney
Springs. about 1855 miles, and Shrine
Mont is across the bridge.
A T MOUNT JACKSON a cloth sign,
floating from pole, points west
to Orkney Springs. 1t means very
little to the tourist unless interested,
but If one ventures on the right turn
Of the road. something begins to steal
over the entire being, something grip
ping. for gradually the real beauty
Of the well-kept farms, with their
white paling-fenced houses, seems to
invite one. Beyond, the wheat fields
are topped by the green of the nearby
hills. where at the base a ripping
brook steals its way along, and a
breath Of contentment creeps in and
one sits straighter, putting on the long
distance glasses, for it satisfies.
Right and left, over and beyond
there is so much to see, and in the
west the late afternoon sun begins
to lower, then at rise in the high
way, suddenly a cross appears tipped
by the sun on looming mountain
peak. It CLEANS in the softened light
Of the setting sun, and the afterglow
brings changing color like a rainbow;
as the cross stretches out its arms like
blessing over the countryside.
1t is the Shrine Mont Cross that
tips the Shrine Mont mountain; the
sun reflects its crowning light as it
stands guard over beautiful Shrine
Mont.
It's height Is A feet, it is carved
from three huge trees, felled in Shrine
Mont acres, builded and fastened
together to weather storms and winds,
forming sovereign emblem, an
arresting appeal in its formation.
ONE passes through Orkney Springs
before reaching Shrine Mont,
long remembered for its Southern
hospitality, even long ago in early
days, when the stage coach was the
only known transportation and guests
drove hundreds Of miles year after
year to be benefited by its health
giving waters
Orkney Springs was first known as
an Indian trading post an original
part Of the domain Of Lord Fairfax;
1t was first called Yellow Springs
because Of its mineral quality which
colored the water.
It was named after the Orkney
Isles, reputed to be the birthplace OF
Dr.. John Mcdonald, a Scotch settler
IN this part Of the valley, who was
f1rst to take out land grant of $50
acres near the springs in 1774
Daniel Boone also comes into this
bit of history, for old Bear Wallow
Spring, at Orkney, dates back to his
days; then bears were plentiful in
these mountains. and history tells us
they often, after being wounded,
found their way to the spring and
wallowed in its off-f1ow, which helped
to ease the pain; thus 1t became
known as Bear Wallow, and is so
called today
Because OF their curative quality
these springs became widely known
and people travelled miles to drink
and bathe in these waters, many
claiming they were only surpassed by
the Spa at Carlsbad
SOJoURN1NG at Orkney Springs
became a habit also with con-
genial church folks. Among them |
was the sixth Bishop of Virginia, the !
Right Rev. Robert Atkinson Gibson,
who finally built a summer home
lbove Orkney. coming into these
year after year with his |