Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1907-11-08
Trip Through
Southern California

We arrived home on Friday even
ing, Nov. 1st, from a most delightful
trip through Southern California.
the wonders and beauties of which
the half has never been told. Leav-
ing San Francisco on the morning of
Oct. Il, on the Coaster" we had a
daylight trip along the coast to
Santa barbara, most beautiful city
by the sea. Here about fifteen hun
dred members of o. T.. S. were in
attendance at the grand lodge, which
convened at hotel Potter. The four
days spent there were taken up with
lodge affairs, reception, ball, trip to
the old Mission, driving through the
beautiful country homes of Monte
celto, and ending with a tropical
luncheon, served on the roof of
Japanese ea-gardens by the members
of Santa Barbara Chapter y. Il. S.
An excursion was then formed to
go to Los Angeles of about one hun
dred and fifty members, where we
visited several points of inter est,
going from there to Riverside and
kedlands, where trips were made
from each place with autos and
carriages through orange groves and
bowers, and through avenues where
feathery palm trees rise, and beauti-
full pepper trees loaded with their red
berries made our drives never to be
forgotten. We were told marvellous
stories of the wealth of the million
aires, whose homes and gardens
abound in that vicinity.
We next visited the island of Cata-
lima, which is about fitfy-one miles
from Los Angeles-going first to San
Pedro bay, and then taking three
hours trip on the steamer "Hermo sa,"
of about twenty-seven miles on the
ocean. Arriving at the beautiful bay
and city of Avelon, we took the
mountain coach, and came to an
abrupt mountain where we got in an
incline car and went up distance of
300 feet overlooking the city and bay.
We then returned and went in glass
bottomed boats to view the wonders
of the sea, where rocks, cliffs, fishes
and seaweeds of all colors were to be
seen-a diver going down for speci-
mems at 25cents dive. We went out
to where the water was 60 feet deep
and clear as crystal, and most
wonderful sight.
| Next in order was visit to the
| Ostrich farm at Pasadena. One large
fellow whose name was Edward the
VII, weighed 325 lbs. We were in
formed that there were no divorces
among the ostIiches, two being mated
for life. There were one hundred
and fifty ostriches on the farm,
thirty of which were babies.
From the ostrich farm we went to
Mount Lowe; got in an incline rail
way and went up distance of 5000
feet almost perpendicular on an end
less chain cable; So degree incline.
The tested strength of cable was 100
tons, and salty cable lbs tons. Direct
assent of the great incline being 1925
feet. We held our breath and tried to
say our prayers, but we landed on top
safely, and we're soon on the Mount
Lowe division Pacific Electric Rail
way, on which we assembled to Alpine
Tavern. We were then at an elevation
of 5000 feet, and above the clouds.
The scenery was indescribable, and
we thought of the words-"What is
man that thou art mindful of him %
As it was raining, we deferred our
donkey ride to the top of Mount
Lowe, (Which was 1000 feet from AL
pine Tavern) to some future time.
Our balloon route trip was taken
on special car, the gift of Mrs Kate
j. Whats. On that excursion, we
we're joined by Mr. and Mrs Harvey of
jackson, who were visiting in Los
Angeles at that time In this trip we
visited the Soldiers Home, where 250C
soldiers of the Civil war are being
cared for. STOPPING long enough at
Hollywood to visit the garden and
studio of Paul de Longpre, of which
words fail to describe. We were soon
on our way to Redonda, the car stop
ping at all points of interest, and