The tortuous but picturesque trail ofers scenes of contrast but all are of beauty. In the Arden Gorge huge crags and rocks overhang the road; covered with moss and lichen these reach out over the gorge hiding the face of the sun and the blue skies above. Through this the tur-bu lent river roars its way spraying the highway with foam while towering above all is the mighty Ada Kokh, the highest peak. Many songs and legends have been woven around this mountain by the Ossetians.
Emerging from this grandeur the traveller approaches the village of Huron, and forests line part of the way further.
Crossing the turbulent River Tsei, ihe tourist finds himself at the health resort, ensconced amidst the bills and green pines. Fine comfortable rest homes have been built without a ticket.
Great changes are taking place in here together with an electric power station, an excursion base and sanatoria for chest sufferers, Situated at the foot'of the glaciers and eternal snows, this picturesque spot is well worth a visit, Rambles round ihe environs are recommended while mountaineering is possible.
Nct a single medical institution or a single medical point existed throughout Ossetia in Tsarist days, the total number of schools equalling but three, Near Tsei there stands today a fine twe-storied building of stone, housing a well-appointed hospital of 300 cots attended by six doctors, surgeons and full staff. The eme village has its own elementary school and at the rich silver and spelter mines, fifteen miles away there are two national technicums for the hillman.
It is at Kutaisi, a town of 75,000 inhabitants, that the trip along the Ossetian Highway comes to an end, But the gorgeous scenes of the journey will long remain fresh in the memory of the visitor.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.