Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1906-02-12
WESTERN LETTER.



we have taken thus far is what is
called the Balloon Excursion. 1t is
so named because the route would
outline the shape of balloon. 1t is
taken in palatial observation car. 1t
was conducted by keen witted young
man, who pointed out all the places of
interest, adding many pleasantries by
the way. After leaving Los Angeles,
our first stop is at Hollywood where
we have access to the garden and art
galley of NJ. Paul de Longpre, who is
called the king of flower painters
Outside we see such wealth of bloom,
both common and rare plants, the
known and the unknown, and inside
such remarkable copies of these. The
rugs, the draperies, and all the fur
nishings, are as rare, as beautiful and
artistic, as are the pictures, the home
and the garden. 1t was real JOY to
SEQ such a combination of beautiful
things. From here we go through the
Cahuenga valley, passing the National
Soldiers Home at Sawtelle, where
more than two thousand veterans are
cared for. And unlike most soldiers
homes, beside the main buildings
where the lone men are housed, there
are a great many small cottages,
where soldiers with wife or family
could live by themselves. The work
on the land and in the home is done
by the veterans. Our next stop is
forty minutes at Santa Monica whore
We visit the largest Camera Obscura
in the world. / do not understand
the process of this sort of picture
making, but on the ocean front we
ascend stairway to the top of cir
cular building, where as many people
were allowed to enter at once as could
stand around large round table in
the center of the room. The room
was darkened, and on the table were
thrown pictures of all that was going
on outside. People, ships, bathers,
ever attitude or movement they were
to be really found. Here also we had
time to view the broad Pacific, and
watch the rolling and breaking of
the surf. Thence we go around the
North Loop seeing the longest pier in
the world, and from there to Ocean
Park, through Venice to Pieya del
Rey where we stop for dinner, being
diverted in the meantime by the mu-
sic of an orchestra. After which we
board the car for twenty-five mile
ride along the ocean, until we come
to Moonstone Beach where passsen-
gers can have their choice to remain
here and gather beautiful moonstones,
or go on to Redondo and view the
Redondo Hotel and fine grounds. On
our return trip we stop off at Venice
where there are many interesting
sights.
We don't need to go abroad any
more to see Venice. Here is consid-
cradle sized city built up in year.
1t is all in Venetian style with lagoons
and canals. One could take ride on
a lagoon and all that seemed lacking to
make it appear like the Venice OF
Italy was the gondola and gondolier
Among the other interesting centers
here is a large ship restaurant stand
ing in the water looking all ready to
sail away. Opposite this is what is
called a parlor pavilion, where tables
arranged in bowers of palms, and
liquids both temperate and otherwise
are served, where an orchestra dis
courses fine music. Some of the bust
ness blocks are after the style of the
Ducal palace in exquisite coloring
Around a portion of the lagoon is
miniature railway, with tiny cars an6
track and Tom Thumb conductor tC
match. A ride around this is quite {
novelty. Our next stop is at Ocear
Park where we enjoy concert by the
Marine Band and have free ride or
the Roller Coaster. This incline afford:
a peculiar sensation which all who are
not of very excitable Temperament
will Isnt to experience. You ente,
what looks like two seated sleigh
with sides boxed in. There is a no.
tice posted 'Hold on to your hats
which needs to be observed. You arr
drawn by electric power to dizz.
height and then you are left for thu
momentum TO carry you the rest o
the way, but not for. long, for dow
you 60 such dizzy incline, down ant
up and around and around until yol
are whirled at tremendous speed Z
the spot from which You started, whel