Gainesville daily sun. (Gainesville, Fla.) 190?-1938, 1907-06-22
THE OCEAN HIGHWAY.

plans have been definitely com
pleted which win permit the tourists
to use the extension of the East Coast
railway to Key West next winter,
anu the announcement should create
great interest throughout the worlds
Of fashion and travel which touch
each other at 50 many points Perhaps
all Florida that can be comfortably
reached has been seen, but those who
come early and so desire can, write
OF the new scenery opened along
the canal now extending in an UNI
broken highway from St. Augustine
to Miami, supplemented by that engi-
neering triumph which bridges the
ocean from Miami 70 Key West with
the exception of one short break
where a safe and comfortable ferry
will be provided until it has been
closed.
Practically a new Florida is now
offered, and in addition view OF a
triumph Of modern engineering ability
that has no rival in, all the world.
The scenery is new--to the eyes the
observation car seems to rest on the
ocean itself and to the sufferers from
sea sickness a voyage is offered with
out the suspicion of wave motion.
The wealth of tropic seas will lie
under the car windows-stops may be
made on the keys, where the gentle
waves murmHr at the feet of the
visitors, and the sea-gardens are as
plainly visible as those of the land
their flowers and miniature forests
can be studied and admired in COM
fort, and with certainty Of a return
by rail at stated hour. What a
world for the picnic, what a museum
for the naturalist, what Joy for the
mere sight-seer!
Millions have been spent to pro-
vide the highway, which will continue,
practically across the great river of
the Gulf Stream to Cuba, for when
the train runs into Kew West they
will be transferred to monster ferry
boats, and carried unbroken TO the
island. The British channel has not
been bridged, though projects for tun-
neling and steamers of strange con.
struction to obyiate the motion have
been rejected after trial; what Eu-
rope has not done. America has pro-
vided. And the trip from Miami to
Key West by rail will be an experience
alone worth visit--from fairy isle to
isle winds the road and over the
waves themselves on great arches of
concrete with the tides foaming be.
neath-such a conquest of the ocean
as a despot king dreamed he could
accomplish only to realize the help
lessness of millions of fighting men.
Once a day on the ocklawaha was
held to furnish the acme Of Florida
sightseeing as a steamer glided
through the primeval forest, and the
branches of giant trees swept the
deck. Then the sun-kissed Indian
river became the fashionable road.
Next the trains Of the East Coast
plunged through the wilderness trans
forming It into homes and gardens,
and the new tourists we're told they
had missed the first night at the great.
est show on earth. But--enterprise
ever finds fresh worlds to conquer.
and industry makes new demands
on capital and thought. This winter
Florida offers two unsurpassed at
tractions-one for the new motor
boat and the fishermen, and the other
a rail laid on the name Of old ocean.
Yet another year and the Florida
railway will be practically extended
10 Cuba, while the Florida canal viii
be opened into the St Johns, and 20
to be Joined in time to the waters OF
the Chesapeake. "The sun do move"
said the negro preacher, and Florida
never stands still Il have found
nothing more wonderful or more
magnificent than ! have seen in my
own country" said a prominent
American upon returning from trip
around the world. Next winter two
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