Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-08-05
NEWS IN ANO AaouNa wssrm,Nsrsa.
A Trip to ike Land Of Flowers Something
Of the Pleasures Of thesvislt

Westminster. August l.--M Miss Codie
Parker, Of Atlanta, has written psi-
yate letter to her mother giving de-
scriptiop of her recent visit to the
"Land OF Flowers The letter contains
so much that will be of interest to her
many friends in Wsstminsser that we re.
produce in part what she says: t.My
Dear Mama: I have SO much to tell and
my pen Is SO feeble I guess the best
thing to do is to begin at the beginning.
Our party was composed OF Mr. Burrsll
Wilkersoi and two sisters, Misses Jim
mie and Jeffie Wilkerson, May Ponds,
Mr.. Logan and myself, Mrs. Boil, son
Joining us at Jacksonville. Several of
our friends were down to see us off and
wish us q very pleasant trip. AS usual
the train was about an hour late, leaving
Atlanta between and 8 O'clock. On the
way down we were Joined by o Mr. Sims,
one of the committeeman. Now our
first experience on q sleeping car. We
all sat and ohatted quite gaily till about
IL when our berths were ready. Then
what show and time we had. We were
among the last to retire. We rested very
we'll, considering we had never rode on
q sleeper before. Jimmie and occupied
the same berth and May and Jeffie.
Jimmie and were up about O'Clock
dressing. The dressing room was little
arrangement 2x2, but somehow we
managed TO get dressed and, we thought,
looked very WE'LL We ware dressed by
day and avoided the rush. Had our
berths made and then had chance to
view the country, which was bad and
and other beautiful flowers. We reached
Jacksonville about 8 O'Clock aud went
over to the Windsor Hotel-the finest in
the city. The boys determined to treat
the girls royalty on the trip. Here we
had breakfast, our grips checked and
sent up and boarded the $50 train for
st. Augustine. Here will have to
to describe the beauty OF this old his
toric place with it's quaint pictures, cot
tages, wide streets, palm trees, covered
with the long hanging moss-the very
air filling one with feeling that this is
indeed Gods own country. Here you
can lay aside all business careB, etc., and
simply rest, for there seems to be no
took cab and drove all over the city
they have no street cars. We were in
deed struck with the beauty of the place.
Here we saw the old sea wall, the old
Spanish Fort, the old State Market-the
oldest house in the United States. I
send you two little booklets giving illus
trations. We had dinner, then went
second time to get inside. BY this time
e o'clook) our cab has returned and we
are all ready for long miles ride
down to the beacI, and the bath houses.
Here we pass over tall bridge for $1.OO.
Pretty big, we thought, nevertheless it
had to come. Here we have our first
glimpse of the great and mighty Atlantic
with wonder-the beautiful and inspiring
waves dashing at our feet. Then we are
made to feel how little and depend
ent we are. We can never picture the
pleasure of our first "dip' in tho ocean,
but do not doubt we looked extremely
handsome in our bathing suit. After en-
joying the sport for about an hour we
Augustine. AS we approached the city,
over the long tall bridge, we never be-
held a more beautiful sight. Built close
to the shore were handsome up-to date
homes along with the unique fashions of
400 years ago, the lights glimmering in the
distance, making picture we can never
forget. We catch the train for Jackson
ls
reaching there in time for supper. After
supper we stroll down to the st. Johns
river, take naptha tug, which is run by
gasoline. The moon casting her silver
rays on the water makes q wierd and
beautiful sight. We let our fancy
wander and all join in songs like "Home,
Sweet Home," "Way Down on the
Suwanee River" etc. We were out about
an hour and returned to the hotol at II.
Tho next morning (Thursday) we girls
are up by times, dress and take a stroll
over the park in front of the hotel. Then
we are joined by the boys and have
breakfast, after which we went down to
the Swift Company's packing house
then take car out to the ostrich farm.
l send you a pamphlet giving full de-
scription of same. We had nice game
of croquet before leaving the farm.
Then back to Jacksonville and through
the curiosity shops. In one of these
we saw an immense alligator, weighing
over 900 hundred pounds and ID feet
long. 1t was 100 years old and mon
ster. We next have dinner and had to
our cream, which was hard blow for
us. We then took the train for Atlantic
Beach, which is some 20 miles from
Jacksonville. A short run brings us to
our destination The Hotel Continental
is regular city within itself-the only
thing on the beach. 1t Is like some
great palace and accommodates over 900
people. Has its own ice plant, electric
plant, laundry, etc. Here we are given
a nice large room with two beds, as we
girls still insist on all four being together.
The hotel is beautifully furnished and
one receives the best of attention. The
fare Is fine. After being assigned our
rooms we all come down ready for the
surf. Here we secure very pretty bath
ing suits, rubber caps, etc. After our
surf bath we dress and play game of
"ten pins" After supper we took a
stroll about a mile down the beach.
Here is where my pen fails me. The
great Atlantic, the moon shining
brightly, the beach white AZ snow, the
great waves dashing at our feet fill us
with thankfulness that we were not at
tho bottom, tossed by the mad waves,
for how many have watery gravel
they must be. We go back to the hotel,
play another game of "ten pins" and go
to our rooms. The boys said, "girls, be
up by a o'clock to see the sun rise-one
of the grandest sights of the whole trip.
We were up in time next morning, but
find that the sun is covered by clouds
and is moro than half an hour high.
We then took stroll over the long pier
and fish, catching a crab. Then back to
the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast
May goes back to Jacksonville to her
sisters, and Mr. Cox leaves us, too. The
remainder Of our party, five of us, de-
eide we will take a walk up to Pablo
Beach, about miles. SO we put out
right up the beach. After so long we
reach the goal, then rain comes mp and
we have to go back to our hotel and
reach there just in time for dinner. After
which Jimmie and Jeffie take a "nap -
The two boys and myself got books of
funny stories and sat beneath the pier in
the swings and read. A little shower
comes up later. 1t is now time for us to
get up our belongings to catch the $50
train for Jacksonville and start on our
homeward journey. What lot of fun
we had on that return trip! We reached
Atlanta at $50 and was at homo in time
for breakfast"