The Yale expositor., 1905-04-21
Daytona, Fla, April Il, 1905.
Jas. a. MenZies,
y
Editor of Exposition.

Editor of Expositor.
Dear Sir and Friend:-I often think
of Yale and old friends and wonder
what they are all doing. Then again it
comes to my mind if they might not
like to hear from me and how / am
enjoying life in Florida, the land of
flowers, so | have asked Mr.. Ranger to
picture one of our pleasure trips with
the hope that it might be of interest to
EXpositor readers TO hear something of
the beauties of Florida.
The beautiful Tomoka river, who
can describe it. The naptha launch
Uncle Sam, leaves every morning from
dock No. 9, and hearing so much about
this picturesque stream we thought we
must take i'll the trip. There were 80
persons on the boat when it left the
dock. About 1000 o'clock we passed
the pretty little town of Ormond and
the magnificent hotel of the same name,
one of the largest and most popular in
the state. The GOulds, Nanderbilts and
others, auto enthusiasts from this cOun-
try, and in fact from all parts OF the
world put up at this hotel. 1t has now
over eight hundred guests.
Beyond OrmOnd we ran into several
shoals Of pOrpoises or sea hogs, some
of them are from 6 to II feet in length,
and some times spring nearly Clear of
the water. The skin of the fish is used
in the making of shoes and shoe laces.
Passing on up the Halifax river, its
shores lined with pine forests, we
caught glimpses of pretty homes among
the trees,-a picture Of marvellous beau
ty long to be remembered. Turning to
the left we entered the TOmoka river.
Soon the scenes became wilder. Here
we saw ducks of many kinds. The
fish hawks would dive down into the
water for fish and it was seldom that
they came up without one. The peli-
can deposited the fish in its pouch while
the fish hawk flew away holding the
fish in its talons. The TOmOka river
affords the widest and most novel
scenery in the south, and as our boat
made each bend in the river an exclam-
nation of delight would come from
each one of the party when some new
scene would appear before us. Magno-
lias, oaks, palmettOs, pines and palms.
Every visitor to Florida should see this
dense tropical foTest-the effect is be-
yond description. This winding cur
rent with its beautiful and everchang-
ing scenery will never be forgotten.
When this wild scenery is lighted by
torches by night the effect surpasses
any dream of fairy land.
We had gone but a short distance when
the captain called out gators to the
right" and there was a rush to that side
of the boat. On the bank basking in
the sun lay huge alligators, some of
them would remain motionleSs as we
passed, others would slide into the wat
er. Here we saw many turtles and
on our approach some would drop in
the water.
At about one o'clock we reached the
Landing as it is called 1t is a charm
ing spot. On the bank is little cabin
in which lives a typical family of peo-
pie called Florida Crackers. 1t would
please you TO hear their peculiar way of
talking. They serve lunches with hot
tea and coffee. They have furs and
rattlesnake skins for sale. Here we
saw wonderful sulphur spring which
rushes stream of water with such fury
that the waves dash against the side
with such force that the spray is thrown
high into the air. In front of the cabin
is a broad platform with tables and
seats. We did justice to our lunch and
after gathering some flowers started on
our homeward trip, once more to enjoy
the beauties of the river. In going and
returning home we saw sixteen alliga-
tors and twenty mammoth turtles. AS
we left the beautiful Tomoka river be-
hind us, and as our boat was gracefully
making its way homeward down the
Halifax river we ran into several shoals
of porpoises, rolling and tumbling in the
water, their heads resembling the head
of a hog. They came so near the boat
that we could see their eyes.
We arrived at Daytona at 80 o'clock
the round trip being so miles. To come
to Daytona and miss this trips is tC
miss one of the most beautiful sights
in Florida.
Hoping this will find yourself anC
all old friends in good health.
Yours respectfully,
w Ann q RANHER