Evening star., 1948-12-12
u. s. Route II
To South Taps
Historic Area
By Walter w. Hubbord

American RuIOmODlIe RSSoSIoflon
II you want to include the time
driving to and from Miami among
the days of pleasure of a Florida
trip, try U. S. II for size. This
coastal highway is not one to use If
you're in mad haste to get to the
pari-mutuel windows at the horse
or dog race tracks.
But you will have the satisfaction
of travelling over the most historic
route to Miami, and a road that,
because it hugs the Atlantic shores,
is comparatively level. You will
enjoy coastal plains instead of roll
ing hills-plus the assurances of
more even climate than you might
find in southbound highway To-
Gated farther west. Salt air is a.
great moderator for ice, sleet and
snoWstorms.
Check Car Before Start.
Before you start humming Moon
Over Miami" however, it is i'm
portant to remember that your car
should be thoroughly checked by
an expert mechanic before you head
South. You have no assurance
whatever that, in the event of a
breakdown because of a hurried
start, you will be able to find COM
petent repairmen who will always
take time to work on your auto
mobile at rates within your travel
budget. Bad brakes, for example,
won't help you much if you run
into speed trap in small, South
ern community; or into an area
where Brahma cattle are roaming
at large over the highways, day and
night.
Your start on this leisurely. sight
seeing trip is across the Potomac
River, on U. S. /. to make later
connections with U. 8. II about IS
miles South. Leaving Alexandria
we drive through Dumfries. at the
juncture with Virginia highway 234.
Beyond is Fredericksburg, most
important Of Americas smaller
cities, situated in a valley inclosed
by hills, at the head of tidewater
and navigation on the Rappahan-
mock River. It's good place for a
breakfast. luncheon or dinner stop,
depending upon when you start.
From one hour to one day
might be profitably spent in
visiting such interesting sites as the
law Office of James Monroe, on
Charles street; the home of Mary
Washington, at the corner of Lewis
and Charles; Kenmore, palatial
home of Col. and Mrs Fielding
Lewis; the Masonic Lodge so init
mately linked with the early life Of
George Washington, and the Fred
ericksburg and Spotsylvania Nation
al Military Park.
A run of 107 miles brings York
town, Va, scene of the surrender of
Gen. O'Hara to Gen. Lincoln, proxies
for CORVALLIS and Washington.
From Newport News, but 9 miles
southwest of Old Point Comfort and
the famed Chamberlin Hotel, we
ferry to Portsmouth, Va, and con-
tinue on U. S. II to Wallaceton, last
SuOp III LIlc olQ OUIllllllOll otdGc dllQ
just east of the Dismal Swamp.
Fishing, Sailing Center.
Elizabeth City, on an arm of Abe
marie Sound, is the first city of i'm
portance in the Tar Heel State. The
town is famed for its fishing, for its
sailing and for an s11 100000 naval
air station for dirigibles, nearby. In
driving southwest to Williamson, we
pass through Hertford, Edenton, and
cross the Chowan River-through
virtually the entire area covered by
Ingl1s Fletcher's historical novel,
Toll of the Brave"
A southwark run brings New
Bern, settled in ITO by Swiss and
Germans and city which was for
some years the provincial capital
Here met the first provincial Con-
crosses, in 1774 and ITS. Tryon
Palace in this seaport town was
Continued on Page E-3, Col. 3.