Walter Deane (1848-1930) Papers; Journal, 1885-1886. Botany Libraries, Archives of the Gray Herbarium, Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, Mass.

[Letterhead] Natural Bridge Hotels. Open Winter and Summer.

Natural Bridge, Va., Apr. 27, 1886

My dear Margie, Here we are safe & sound in South western Virginia comfortably quartered for 3 days. We left Washington this A.M. in the 7.15 train by the Va & Midland train for Lynchburg which we reached by 1 P.M. We passed right through Virginia and I have a fine idea of the contry. I made the acquaintence of a gentleman, a fine looking man, on the train who was in the Confederate Army in Virginia for 4 yrs. He told

I can't say too much of Mr. K's kindness.

[Apr. 27, 1886] (2) me a great deal showed me Bull Run & Manassas Junction as we passed by and made it very interesting. He was in the 1st & 2nd Bull Run. The soil of Va is very red. At Lynchburg we changed cars and went up the James River and a long way through beautiful scenery and high mountains to Nat. Br. From there Mr. Kennedy & I walked to the Hotel 2 1/2 miles . Hal rode in the state. It was a beautiful walk and we filled our botany boxes with nice new things. We have nice rooms and shall go to the Bridge tomorrow. It is real summer here. We shall stay quietly here and botanize & rest till Friday P.M. Then we go up the Shenandoah to Luray Cave and Sat. come home, reaching Boston, Sunday A.M. You can't write again. Many kisses darling Yr Walter

[Letterhead] Natural Bridge Hotels. Open Winter and Summer.

Natural Bridge, Va., Apr. 29th 1886

My dearest Margie — Another day has glided in this lovely spot. After breakfast this morning we started off and visited the Bridge again. First we went on to the top and looked down from Pulpit rock into the canon below. It is simply stupendous and when you think that the road is 215 ft from the brook below nearly as high as Bunker Hill Monument you can imagine. We botanized in

telegraph. Good night darling — Yr Walter

[Apr. 29, 1886] (2)

the deep woods by the creek both morning & afternoon and have made fine collections. Think of the woods full of large scarlet Silenes, purple Phlox yellow Lithospermum and immense white & pink Trilliums. The Red Bud fills the woods with its red blossoms. An immense Arbor Vitae, near the Hotel measures 15 ft round one foot from the ground and 14 1/2, 4 ft from the ground. We leave tomorrow at 1 o'clock for Luray visit the Cave in the evening and hope to reach Boston, Sunday A.M. 7.50 N.Y. & N.E. I shall telegraph from Luray, when we find out definitely connections — my trunk must come right out. And I want you to be there too. Can't you? Of course you needn't. I am afraid you won't get this till after I