Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-05-01
The Spring In Florida.
Correspondence of the Staunton VINDIcA

Correspondence of the Staunton V1NDIcA-
TOR.
EMERALDA, LAKE Co., FLA, March ~
This county, as may be you have guessed
from it's name, is noted for its beautiful
lakes, they seem to be dotted around every
where. When we go out for drive through
the 'spiney woods and are enjoying the
soft signing of the winds in the trees over
head, and inhaling the sweet perfume from
the pines, we turn curve in the road OF
descend some little knoll. and there nest
ling in among the pines is perfect gem
of lake, with the Southern sunset just
giving to it's waters the most delicate and
lovely tints. These are only the small
lakes, and of course not navigable, but
Lake Griffin is twelve miles in length,
and the waters Of the Ocklenaha flow into
1.-THE fishing here is splendid too-its
waters furnish some of the finest trout
and bass in the State.
l went up the lake a few days ago to
Leesburg, which is twelve miles from
here, on the "GaZelle," and from there
out to Ell Dorado-two miles the other side
of Leesburg, and quite fashionable Win
ter resort. Wealthy people owning orange
groves have handsome winter residences
there. Ell Dorado is on lake Astatula, the
Indian name for the lake of the sunset
now more commonly known as lake Har-
ris, in Lake county, and is one OF the most
picturesque spots in Florida. The groves
are on hills which slope gently down to
the waters edge, and the dwellings are
situated in the groves at the top OF the
slope. can never forget the view which L
had from turret window by moonlight
below me was the wide white gravel walk
extending through the dense grove down
to the beautiful lake where the waters
danced and shimmered in the moonlight.
Pleasure parties, both in row boats and
OF oil thic Lake whore
there is also very fine fishing.
few days before leaving Fernandlna,
[ went on delightful cruise aboard the
revenue cutter Boutwell,, Z" whose head
quarters are at Savannah, but which fire
quentlyc2mes into the Fernandina port The
cutter is a beautiful vessel and furnished
both handsomely ana luXuriously, with
every convenience The officers are pleas
ant, courtly gentlemen, all handsomely
uniformed and often entertain their friends
here aboard the "Boutwell' There were
between thirty-fve and forty in our party
that day and we had a merry time. We
left port in the morning, returning in the
evening. We cFuised around in the sur
rounding bays, sounds and rivers, visiting
different points of interest, and going
ashore once in the life boat at st. Mary's,
one of the Oldest towns in GeOrgia-the
principal point of interest there being the
large and beautiful old cemetery with its
odd looking tOmb-StoneS and queer lnScrlp-
tions, While aboard the cutter we were
entertained right royally-hrst we had
luncheon served in style, then a late din
ner where everything was arranged SO
nicely that we might we'll have imagined
ourselves being served at first class hotel.
In the evening some lighter refreshments
were passed, and we had music too, which
added much to the pleasure of the party.
Revenue steamers always anchor sever
al hundred yards from the docks, but the
sailors are on hand to take any olie to and
from shore, and that to me is one of the
merriest times of trip ON the cutter-the
row across the waters by the sturdy sail
ors, then the futter and excitement of
going aboard: IT'S interesting 70 watch
the hurrying to and fro, the hosting and
creaking of masts and rope, the naqticai,
terms ana expressions used by them, and
above all the voices OF the officers giving
their orders. After good many interest
preliminaFies 2ll is ct last ready and 1--WE
sail the ocean blue NJ,