Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-05-04
FROM LAKE ERIE TO THE
GOLDEN GATE.
tBy Grace Melbourne-Mrs Alice ]. Barker
IooNoLuDEp.1

Monday, March 2, we felt quite percep.
tible earthquake shock; II WIS a very novel
sensation. The came evening we left for
San Francisco. Our ride the next day
was II marvellous one. The scenery is
grand aud the railroad n wonder Uf cngi
neerrng skill. In one place the road ties u
regular knot; iis twists aud turns aie won
derfu. AT the summit ~ the mountains.
we rode among The clouds aud passed
through % tunnels between Los Angels
aud San Frunci'co. Down IN the San Joa
quin valley we came into iine farming
country, Thousands of acres Uf wheat
stretch MS far as the eye cnn reach. This
is beautiful fam land aud NJ we approach
cd the city uf The Golden Gate and near
the Const Range the country grows more
and more beautiful. We took one of the
palatial steam ferries nj Oakland for San
francisco. The bay IA eight NILES across
here, and ia lovely with it's ships riding at
anchor, lis busy city beyond and glimpse
OF the Golden Gate in the distance. San
Francisco is n glorious city, the air is 30
pure, no bracing, so electiifying the sun
isso bright and the wind that seems to
blow forever in California was not nearly
rampant as at other places. 1t has
countless streets Of magnificent buildings
lis system OF cable roads is perfect; the
steep hills for which San Francisco ia noted
nre made easy, and all places of interest are
accessible by them. California street mob
HID is so called from the number of pala-
tial residences upon ii, ns it is the home of
many of San Francisco's millionaires. II
is so steep that horses cannot travel 1t and
the grass grows profusely around the paw
ing stones. But the cable cars take you up
these hills in such an easy, happy go lucky
manner, as little Lloyd said, ut goes with
out any pushing or any pulling" Picking
up city paper shortly after, we found
that he had came to the same conclusion
as the Chinaman, mo pushee, no pullee,
no see how lie goee." Speaking of the Chi.
numnn recalls our visit to China Town,
with its queer signs over it's queer shops, it's
10000 queer people, its joss houses and
lheaters, its opium dens, aud it's brightly
illuminated restaurants. Its funny old cob
blers were seated on the sidewalks busy at
their trades. At the meat markets hung
whole pigs just roasted, which were sold
still smoking hot for the table to eager
customers. In their shops we purchased
numerous curiosiies of pompous finely
dressed cinnamon, and wondered that one
step would take us from America to China.
The street car cable line and the DUN
my road landed us at Peroudio-rightly
called the garden OF San Francisco. 1t is
several miles from the city and the entire
ride cost us five cents apiece. The barracks
are located here, so beautiful with their
finely kept grounds and officers quarters.
Two miles farther on is old fort Winfield
Scott, right at Golden Gate. We climbed
three long flights OF stairs and on the top
OF this tort overlooking in one direction
the city and the bay and in the other the
grand old Pacific. We gathered lovely
boquet OF wild howers,-lhe roof is earth
covered and grass grown. We spent one
day most happily at Woodard's G,riensi
the children will not soon forget it, they
were wild with pleasure. II contains n
fine Zoo, large collection OF stuffed birds
and animals, n splendid museum, n very
fine Aquarium, Art Gallery, Green houses,
mineature lake with plenty OF boats for
the children, n gymnasium, music room
with large orchestra; a theatre, grottoS,
caves, flowers and birds, in TACT everything
10 make little folks think they had found Il
paradise. We could scarcely lear them
away. Golden Gate park is one OF the
finest in the state; il Is laid out most beau.
tifully, something like Central Park. One
Of our pleasant days was spent at the Cliff
House situated several miles from the city
on the beach. Mr.. Barker had told the
children that lie had n surprise for them
and their curiosity was unbounded. Bnl
when we were all seated on the verandu o.
the hotel right at the waters edge he cali
ed their attention to some immense rocks 8
few rods from the shore. They were ailv,
with sea. and sea lions. The rock nearest
us had few on tile day we were there, al
though people told ns they were often GOV
cred. But farther out on another ledge o
rocks, large numbers sported in. the sun,
shine barking at ench other and when tireC
lazily tumbled off into the sea. Ii was
wonderful sightr. Sutro Hights, near b.
the private grounds Of Mr.. Sulro, one Of ST.,
Francisco's weallhiest philanthropist'
Is marveously beautiful 'Tis vision O
fairy land. We have no words TO descrb
the impression one receives Of the wealil
and mngnifcence of San Francisco. ]
strikes one 30 differently from eastern cities
Then the wonderful air, the warm floods q
sunshine exhilerale one 50 and unge every
thing with their own rosy light-especlIl-
ly when you pick up an eastern paper and
read that New York City is blockade,
with snow. Rents and coal are higher i
San Francisco. Everything else We ioun
cheaper than at home.
Oakland, just across the bay, is yer
fine city. Here many Of San Francisco
wealthiest business men reside. We en-
joyed drive through its beautiful stree
and fine suburbs. 1t IL city Of houses
it conlaines about 100000 inhabitants am
the beauty and TASTE of its residences hav
become proverabial. On our way to Sac
ramento our train moved on TO what
claimed TO bethe largest ferry boat in tn
world, and we crossed the Sacramento iiy,
in this manner. According to Rays nut
book (and you may depend on il there ism
much left out Of that that could be pumpe
out Of any body.) "rhe capacity Of III
ferry is 4S loaded freight cars, "a plssenge
cars and four engines.
| Ia. a. .. IL