362 THE CAROLINA MOUNTAINS 
little less than six thousand feet down into the foot- 
hills. For the mountain on this side is stopped by 
the high plateau from which it rises. Yet it is good 
to be at the back of the Grandfather. From the 
Watauga road we see the profile from which the 
mountain is said to have received its name, although 
one gets a better and far more impressive view of it 
from a certain point on the mountain itself. 
And so you return to Blowing Rock after days of 
wandering, only to rest awhile and start again, gain- 
ing endurance with every trip until the ten miles* 
walk that cost you a little weariness becomes the 
twenty miles' walk that costs you none. You cannot 
tire of the road, for every mile brings new sights, 
new sounds, new fragrances, new friends, new flowers, 
one charm of walking here being the endless variety. 
No two days are alike, each has its own pleasant 
adventures. 
