The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-03-19
AN EARTHLY PARADISE.

A Picture to Make Man Sigh to Leave
the Cold Northlsnd and Bask In the
Lap of Eternal Summer.
In visiting Southern California acct
dentally stumbled upon little paradise
nestled in the mountains where Los An
geles, San Bernardino and San Diego
counties meet. 1t is valley of some
10000 acres, with the most beautiful
mountain scenery surrounding it. But
the gem of the valley is the lake, the
only one in this southern region, which
lies in the center, throwing back the in
verted image of the many-colored
mountains in the background. First is
long train of cars with curling smoke
on the California Southern Railroad
which runs along the shore for dist
ance of two or three miles. Then come
the low foothills which are near enough
to show the color of rocks. earth and
mountains then come mountains. The
distance of each range must be judged
by its tint of blue or pink, and towering
far above all, the grand old snow
capped peaks at which you will look
second and third time to realize that
they are a tumble of ice and snow in
stead of white, fleecy clouds. Inverted
and faithfully mirrored in this beautiful
lake, are San Antonio (Old Baldy), San
Bernardino (Greyback) and San Jacinto
mountains, capped with eternal snow.
surrounded by semi-tropics. Around
the lake are groups of timber, mostly
china and sycamore. Further back is the
usual amount of white sage, NORWOOD
and grease-bush, until the foot of the
mountains is reached, where commence
the moss-covered live oaks, and further
up their sides the pines and redwood,
native to this coast.
On the west side are sharp, rugged
mountains, towering almost over the
lake, with table lands on top, almost
to the ocean. From them flow
beautiful canon streams of crystal
water to the lake. Some of them
are steep and rocky to their very
mouths, while others are open and full
of sunshine. In one steep granite canon
there are three forks. All have streams
of about the same size, and pour over
bedrock in separate streams, falling
into the same pool 80 feet below. The
main feeder of the lake, however, is the
San Jacinto river, which has its origin
in the crown of the San Jacinto noun
tains, eighty or one hundred miles
away, and empties into the lake on the
east side, within a mile of the outlet,
which doubles back and empties into
the Santa Ana river.
Near the shore of the lake, and in the
little valley through which the outlet
passes, is a wonderful group of hot and
cold mineral springs, about two hundred
in number. Of those which | tested
were sulphur. soda, magncsia, tin. iron,
salt, alum, arsenic, borax, and white
sulphur. One large hot sui phur spring
has for neighbor a fresh-water spring
almost ice cold. Such groups are not
uncommon on this coast, but they are
uncommon on the shore of beautiful
lake in such delightful ''Indian sum-
mer" climate, surrounded by thousands
of acres of California; best fruit land, |
beds of coal, mines of precious metals, |
protected from the rawness of the sea-
breeze, yet within sound of its angry |
pillows; protected from the hot wind of
death Valley" yet within sight of its
fiery heat.
Such springs, such a lake. with such |
grand surroundings, old Indian mortars |
and painted rocks in its canons and |
around its shores, I say are very IN
common; and | doubt if such another of |
natures garden spots exists in the |
world. Here in San Diego County |
its millions of wild flowers, its
its mines, and canOnS, l will |
always remain. Here viii fish. hunt
deer, mountain sheep, bear and wild
honey; here l will rear my boys and |
girls; my oranges. pomegranates, olives.
my fine stock. Here l will collect my
cabinets of animals, minerals, different
variety of water fowl which frequent
he lake. pressed flowers and plants in
his. natures laboratory. Sitting in the
shadow of my own vine and fig tree,
will watch with nv field-glass the cold
)lizzards of the mountains. the hot.
sand storms of the desert,
,r listen to the angry Pacific in IL
winter storms. Here | VIII invite n:
riends to spend their winters in thu
title paradise, enchanted BIZ its mirr5f
axe, golden oranges, Covers. hummiEe
,irds, butterflies and sunshine-Els.-
zorro real. Cor. Toledo BiGde.