Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-04-17
CALIFORNIA LETTER.

the gold and green fruit. the air iaden
with the delicious perfume from the
bursting buds, near the centre OF the
grove a white frame cottage overrun
with blooming vines and roses, three
large white tents nestled down among
the trees, and you have the exquisite
picture of our present home. Pasadena
ia a most beautiful town of about 5000
inhabitants, is 10 miles from Los Ange-
les. and situated at the foot of Sierra
Madra mountains, consequently Is quite
n resor, for those seeking health or
pleasure. Unfortunately there are but
two hotels here, both poor, so the board
ing-bouses are taxed to their utmost ca
pacity. Quite number sleep in tents
and | assure you 1t is very delightful.
Since my last letter we spenttwo months
ar.San Diego, and here let me say If you
wish to find a climate AS near perfect as
earth can afford, 90 to San Diego. SUM-
mer and winter always the same, save
few DAYS of rain during the winter
months. We had two rainy days whilst
we were there. In summer the mercury
rarely exceeds s5 degrees and never gets
above 80 degrees. The town is not re-
markable for its beauty; the surround
ing scenery however cannot be sur
PASSED, 1t is situated OH the Bay of San
Diego, consequently has the benefits OF
the sea breeze, but protected by the
mountains OH either side from the fog.
There are two large hotels, the "Flor-
ence" and "Horton;" the former Ia sit
uated on the mesa, 200 feet above the
town, bay and ocean. There are great
mapy places of interest to visit and nu-
merou. lovely drives; among the former
Is the old Mission Church over one hum
dred years old However, nothing re-
mains but a few adobe walls that give
one some idea Of the plans of the Old
building. There is the immense court
back of the church where the cruel bull
fights were held, and ill that is left OF
the church is used for stable, and Is
inhabited by owls, bats, and bees, the
latter in ~ eat numbers; immense combs
hung from the caves, dripping with
honey. 1t seemed wrong to allow so
much "sweetness wasted on the desert
air." Raising bees is quite an industry
In that part OF the country, and many
were the "bee ranches" we saw. Hun
dreds of tons of honey are shipped an
nually, the honey, according to quality,
ranging in price from ~ to cents per
pound. This county is noted for good
hunting; numerous lakes are full OF
ducks, geese, and other water fowls,
whilst quail are so plentiful that my
husband and friend were out one day
and returned with lis; they shot many
more but could not find them on account
of the thick underground. 1t Is impos-
sible to use dog, owing to the cactus.
Fishing In the San Diego Bay and pulp
beds Of the ocean Is very fine. Just be-
fore we left our party from "The Flor
ence" were out and brought home Ats
Baracodas-actual count-a very slen-
der fish from one to three feet long; it
is considered the best on the coast for
table use. These fish run in large
schools and can only be caught at this
season Of the year. About one hundred
miles from San Diego one enters what
is considered the finest orange county of
California. The Riverside oranges have
quite reputation, the Naval especially;
they are very large, have rich flavor
and are seedless; they are the most ex-
pensive oranges on the market.
We drove from Riverside to Arrow
Head Hot Springs, distance of 25
miles, through lovely, fertile valleys
and in and out beautiful, romantic can
yons up into the San Barnadeno noun
tains. There are four large springs, a
fair hotel, and fine bathing. The water
Ia very beneficial In a great many dis
eases, particularly rheumatism, for
which they use hot mud baths. The
temperature of the largest spring is 1913
degrees and at that altitude boils po-
tato In Is or 30 minutes and an egg hard
in four minutes. 1t gushes right out of a
solid rock In quite stream and flows
OH down the mountain side. The pro-
prietor of the hotel said the entire range
of mountains were full OF springs.
Wherever there Is crack the hot water
trickles forth. One advantage Califor-
MIA has for invalids over any other State
is the wonderful variety of climates.
For example. at Riverside the mercury
stood 95 degrees in the shade and we
slept with windows open and only
sheet for covering, whilst at Ontario,
only 20 miles distant, we had friends
who told US at the same time they slept
with two blankets and windows closed.
There was a corresponding difference in
may find here high or low altitude, a
dry or moist atmosphei e, which ever
may suit til cir case and with little
travel. The country for weeks has been
In gala dress; millions of exquisite flow-
ers are scattered broadcast over the
fields, and assure you the effect is very
pleasing. Fruit trees have been in
bloom, according to variety, since Feb
ruary LIST. Peaches and apricots are as
large as hickory nuts, and straw berries
are as plentiful as blackberries will be
with you a few months hence. About
seven miles from here is an immense
ranch known as LUCKY Baldwin's. !"
There are about $4,000 acres, the most
of 1t under thorough state Of cultiva-
| ton. Mr.. Baldwin has quite a fondness