The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-18
Shenandoah Valley
 Ideal Easter Trip
Thousands of New Englanders Attracted Into Old
 Dominion State, Virginia, Annually

Williamsburg, the Blue Ridge Mountains Virginia Beach, the new Shenandoah National Park, the Sky Line Drive and the historic Shenan- doah Valley, are some of the inter- eSting attractions that draw thous1 ands of New Englanders Into the Old Dominion State--historic Vir- sinia each year,
 Motorists when driving to the South are anxious to bypass large cities and traffic congested areas in order to assure themselves of Q pleasant trip enroute. The purpose of this article is to outline, Q cast, scenic and non-congested motor route to and through historic Vir- ginia which will enable the tourist to avoid such large cities as New York City, Jersey City, Newark, Trenton and Philadelphia.
 New Englanders contemplating a visit to the South, should, motor via the most convenient routes to con- nection with the popular North and South Route U, s. POP which bi- sects the New England States, and follow same southwestwardly to and across the Bear Mountain Bridge, ideally situated amidst the pictur- esque forest-clad Highlands of the Hudson In New York State.
 Tolls Reduced
 It will be interesting for the reader to learn that since September 26, l940, when the New York State Bridge Authority took over the op- eration of the Bear Mountain Bridge, toll rates have been re- duced twice. September 26, l940, rates for 6 passenger car were re- duced to a flat 50 cents per car re- gardless of the number of pasSen- gers. January 1, l942, this rate for passenger cars was further reduced to 35 cents per car including all passengers. Under private opera ton the toll rate was 80 cents for a car and driver and 10 cents for each additional passenger. Thus in less than sixteen months of public oper- ation rates have been reduced more than 65 per cent in most instances. It is the desire of the New York State Bridge Authority that more and more motorists be enabled to enjoy the convenlences which their crossings the Bear Mountain Bridge the Mld-Hudson Bridge between Poughkeepsie and Highland, and the Rip Van Wrinkle Bridge be- tween Hudson and Catskill - make possible.
 After crossing the Hudson river by means of the Bear Mountain Bridge, drive southward on Route U. s. 202 through New York State and New Jersey into West Chester, Pennsylvania, where Route 52 is encountered and followed into Long wood, site of the beautiful DuPont ardens. From Longwood follow Route U. s. southword through Baltimore into Washington, D. o., the Nations Capital. Washington, the most beautiful city in the United States, with its seemingly endless list of what to see", will prove very interesting.
 Leaving Washington on Routes U. s. 2l1 and 20, drive westward to the cross road town of Fairfax, Vir- ginia, where stands the monument to the first soldier who fell in the Civil War. Continue into Gainesville in the heart of the Bull Run battle area. Leave ainesville on State Highway Route 55 and drive into Front Royal, the gateway to the Shenandoah National Park and the Sky Line Drive.
 Proceed Southward along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains via the Sky Line Drive, observing en- route, panoramas of unexcelled beauty. Starting at an altitude of approximately 2,0O0 feet, the car continues to climb higher and. higher until an altitude of almost 4,000 feet Is reached.
 It is difficult to portray adequate ly either with words or pictures the beauties of the scenery as revealed from the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains, frankly, in order to really appreciate the views and to the thrilling adventures, It will be necessary to actually make the trip.
 Gradually descending from the Sky Line Drive we come to Swift 1 Run Gap. At Swift Run Gap turn | left Into U. g. Route 33, called the l Trail, after Alexander | one of the early goxer- nors of Virginia, who crossed the | mountains here into the Shenan- doah Valley in i7ie. This famous