Evening star., 1941-07-06

1eyS and distant mountains. Coffee
shops at all five areas fill the need
for sandwiches, hot or cold drinks,
and "snacks," both for passing mo-
toristS and those who wish to obtain
ice for cold drinks, or hot water for
coffee or tea, to supplement a lunch
eaten at one of the many picnic
areas along the drive.
There also are taverns on the
short order restaurant plan at Elk
Wallow and Pond Ridge, near the
camping and picnic areas. Service
stations also are located at these
halfway houses" as we'll as at or
adjacent to the five hotel-cottage
areas.
Overnight accommodations for
those who bring their own camping
equipment or arrive in trailers are
ample At Big Meadows camp
grounds for example, are 80. camp
sites, As trailer sites, three large
comfort stations, a laundry with tubs,
and hot and cold showers. Here, as
at all campgrounds and picnic areas,
are f1replaces with free wood. water
for drinking purposes, tables and
benches. Three hundred people may
use Big Meadows campground at
one time. Rangers pride themselves
on always making room for "one
more car"
Picnic grounds also are located a
few yards below the Dickeys Ridge
hotel-cottage area and at. Elk Wal
low and Pinnacles, formerly called
Sexton's Knoll. No permits or res
ervations. are necessary either at
picnic or campground areas. 1t is
first come, first serve"
"Lean-tos" Available.
This rule also holds good for the
'lean-tos," some 20 of which are
scattered through the parks. Like
the Appalachian Trail shelters, these
lean-tos, satisfy. the desires Of the
camp-minded and seasoned hiker
who, prefers to pack ia. to his
sleeping QUARTERS ather than put up
in cottage. They are not accessible
by motor or bus, but are within short
walking distances from the trails or
old roads. The lean-to is a three
sided shelter with fireplace in
'front.' SO. constructed that part of
the heat is reflected within the
shelter. Pure spring water and
comfort station are at hand. The
cheIter. contains an i,,oonio,sc boJ
rack, consisting of six wire frames
ranged shelf like along the inside
wall. Each frame is big enough to
hold a sleeping bag or the regula-
ton bedding contained in a bedroll
No charge is made for their use and
there is no time limit to the dura-
ton of their occupancy. All reser-
vation are spot" reservations.
Wood for the campfire is already
cut and stacked (by park rangers)
ready for their use, but all cooking
utensils and other extras must be
packed in."- But this is no hard
ship since cars may park near
enough to the lean-to to make the
distance packed in" matter of
yards rather than miles.
Must Reserve Shelters.
In the Appalachian Trail shelters,
sponsored by the National Park
Service, the overnight guest finds
everything furnished. The price is
only so cents per person per night.
Their popularity for weekend stays
is so great that reservations must be
made long ahead.
Hiking is the most delightful of
Shenandoah's recreationS, with
horseback riding a close second.
Horses may be rented at Skyland
There are over $50 miles of alluring
trails down into the shady ravines
where cascades make music up
mountain slopes to overlooks where
the panorama of Page Valley, the
Valley of the Shenandoah, the Pied
mont notwithstanding to the di-
rection taken-tempts the beholder
to find adjectives adequate to de-
scribe such beauty. Along the trails
bloom a wealth of wild flowers and
shrubs At least 1000 plant varieties
are said to grow in Shenandoah