European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 8, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse T he be s t c 01111 i r y hikers gather at a Park Ranger station in Postbridge. A artist works on her sketches in the Middle of the rugged Countryside near the Bast Dart River above. Signs placed Fay the Park authority help hikers find their Way right. Photos by Dave Didio a Lone camper makes its Way along 03272 above. Blackface sheep Are nearly the Only residents of the Central part of dartmoor left. Isar Ivl pm a rj.t7j a is t amp a f a a �?o77 it quot2-sl u l ft.-1 f a a. Quot fat a \ rv4rr. F vis a a. A a a a 5> two travellers take time out for a Tea break along dartmoor s Bast Dart River. Hold prisoners from England s Many wars including americans from the English american War of 1812, it eventually evolved into its present status As one of. England s better known convict prisons. Its placement in one of the bleakest villages in England adds a sense of foreboding and isolation to those confined within its Waits. Any Escapee from this desolate place would be easy to spot on the Barren landscape. Most of the attraction of dartmoor is its dearth of signs of modern civilization giving visitors the feeling of being in a Quot time Warp while the rest of Britain has developed and grown dartmoor has Clung to its prehistoric past. Save for tie few settlements Flung far apart Little has changed for a millennium. Archaeologists have found no other comparable place in Britain with such a wealth of neolithic and Bronze age artefacts. Dartmoor was designated a National Park in 1951 to preserve its cultural heritage and ensure that it would receive special Protection for its natural Beauty. Although it is called a National Park it is not owned by the National government but rather by a collection of individuals and organizations dedicated to its preservation. The two major Highway that route the bulk of traffic through Central Devon a a30 on the North Side and a3 8 in the South Side a skirt around the edges of dartmoor leaving most travellers unaware of the dramatic scenery within the Parki but the superhighways Are meant for people in a hurry with schedules to maintain and dartmoo4$ meant to be enjoyed leisurely. Indeed Drivers on the b3z12 sometimes have to crawl along at less than 20 Mph threading their Way among the sheep that sleep in the Sun right on the Highway. There Are no Fence sin this part of the country. Next time you re seized by an uncontrollable urge to Quot get away from it All Quot take a peek at some truly unique scenery at the same time get off the beaten path and work your Way Over to 83212 and the Center of the Moor. And make sure you be got a full tank of Gas. September 8, 1994 stripes Magazine j 7
