The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-08-13

had very pleasant day we returned
to Los Angeles. Sunday we rested
and attended church, and OH Monday
we went Sightseeing around the city.
Tuesday morning we took the train
for Santa Monica, q fashionable water
ing place about twenty miles distant.
We were happy and the least bit ex-
cited. 1t was the frat time we had
ever seen the ocean, and we were con-
tent to sit in the sand and watch "the
flowing tide" come in. There were al
most two hundred tents on the beach,
and morning and evening the serf
would be alive with bathers. We
much enjoyed watching others, bu:
that joy does not compare with that
which we felt when we had donned
bathing suits and found ourselves in
the foaming water. But cannot de-
scribe IL. Those who have exper-
fenced 1t know just how it was and
those who have never tried it can
never know until they have. On
Thursday We returned to this place.
Friday afternoon our proprietor sent
US word that his carriage was at the
door and we could take q ride if we
wished. We gratefully accepted, and
were soon whirling away. One of the
principal places that we saw was Mrs.
Longstreet's plantation. The house is
approached by long avenue of palm
trees. The grounds surrounding the
house are very beautiful. There are
nicely kept flower beds in every con-
ceivable shape, with "keep off the
grass" and other appropriate mottos,
in different colored plants. There are
allsOrts of ornamental trees and shrubs,
and besides these We saw oranges, lem.
Ons, apricots, figs, nectarines, dates,
pomegranates and bananas growing
We saw one century plant in bloom,
and the stalk stood twenty feet high.
Having seen all there was to see there,
we drove through some of the princi.
pal streets. There are some very fine
residences and all the lawns are flower
gardens. 1 think I have seen more
flowers since our arrival here than in
all my life before. Roses, fuchsias,
heliotrope, pansies, oleanders, gerane'
INNS and many others, the names OF
which we did not know, grow in great
profusion. The lower part of the city is
mostly filled up with Chinese laundries,
German beer saloons, and Mexican
adobe houses. This is the older part
of the city, and there are no marks OF
beauty, but it was rather interesting
to strangers. like the city very
much. There are two cable car lines
and several horse car lines. Three OF
four large school houses are located
here, and the city is rapidly becoming
an educational centre. The climate is
charming, and although this is the
warm season the mornings and even
ings are very cool, and it is not un-
comfortably warm during the day.
Fruit is plenty and we enjoy it very
much.
But fear if I say much more you
will think am trying to advertise the
city. AS that is not my object I will
lay aside my pen.
Later: Here we are in San Fran
cisco and this letter has not yet
amounted the wings of steam." 1t
seems very cold here and we have not
yet had time to look around much.
We were down by the "Palace Hotel, F."
which is of course very fine, and I call
to mind the following quotation !:
"This architectural monarch lifts its
colossal bulk above the very business
and social centres of the Pacific Me-
trOpOlis." With visions of San Jose,
the Geysers, and Yosemite Valley
ahead of us. 1 bid you adieu. ga"