Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-07-27
AUTOISTS VISIT
Russell RANCH
WHITE STEAMER SQUADRON
ON LONG JAUNT
DAY PRACTICALLY is PASSED
WITHOUT ACCIDENT
Newly Married and Engaged Couples
Are Joshed Mercllessly, but Fat
Humerist Finally Meets
His Match
By L. GEORGE THOMPSON

His Watcn
By L. GEORGE THOMPSON
Yesterday was the day for the second
tour of the White Steamer squadron,
and the cars sailed away for most
pleasant trip to Conejo lake on the
Russell ranch.
Shortly before 9 o'clock the last car
arrived at the White garage, and soon
Admiral Fenner gave the
order to get under way and led the
long line of cars out West Seventh
street to Vermont avenue and thence
to Hollywood. An easy pace was set
so that trouble, which is almost sure
to accompany fast driving, might be
The wisdom of Fenner's
course was we'll shown by perfect
scores on all cars except one, which
had a tire blowout.
After passing through Hollywood the
cars went over the Cahuenga grade and
turned to the left on Ell Canine Real,
which was followed through Calabasas
and to the gate that opens to the Rus
sci ranch.
At that point the cars were met by
DR.. Hilliker and family, who had just
come down from Santa Barbara to
join in the barbecue and run.
The doctor and his family had been
touring in their steamer for several
days and were on the way home, so
their run was figured to reach the
ranch in time to enjoy the days out
ing with the rest of the crowd.
At the gate, which is about twelve
miles beyond Calabasas and Is easily
Identified by the oak tree from which 1t
is swung, and also by windmill few
hundred yards beyond on the right
hand side of the road, Admiral Fenner
waited for the rear cars to come up.
AS the two cars carrying the garage
experts had stopped to look after the
tire trouble and did not arrive within
several minutes, the rest Of the cars
went on up past the ranch house to the
lower end of the lake, and stopped I'M
der the oaks any sycamores that grow
SO beautifully there. Here the cars
were unloaded and every one went up
to the top of the big concrete dam to
see the lake.
A short walk and climb UP the
rocks and a short ladder and the party
was on top of the dam, where para
pet four or five feet wide furnished
fine promenade. The main dam is a
huge affair set on the arc Of a circle
bent toward the water and stands
thirty feet or more high.
By means of the dam the water Is
backed up into the canyons in the hills
for two or three miles, many arms OF
the lake reaching hundred yards or
more up little side canyons.
Where Bass Abound
In two places miniature islands are
formed by large masses of rock that
rear their rough forms out of the water
twenty feet The water eXcels in cofor
the most beautiful blue an artists pal
cite contains, and down In the depths
can be seen large numbers or bass lazily
swimming by or darting after frogs or
insects that light on the water or ~
too near the surface. Moses az
water weeds float idly near the edges
of the lake and sway with the cur
rents.
Two or three boats afford means of
reaching the best fishing places or
transportation to the opposite bank.
Vari-colored rocky cliffs rise up from
the water, and in the still surface are
reflected with prismatic efrects.
A winding road on one side leads to
4 ranch house, with it's many barns
and outhouses, where the fowls, horses
and cattle wander leisurely about the
Enclosures until some noisy gasoline car
startles them out of their usual placid
ity and sends them hurrying across
the lots, or the sudden apparitlon or
White steamer with it's noiseless ap-
DrOdcA gives In6Il d SlilA 6ASoeSA SAASS->
which leaves them stricken with SEEM
ing paralysis and intense curiosity.
After a survey of the lake from the
vantage point of rocks and dam the
hungry motorists answered the dinner
call and went down under the trees
once more where they found huge plies
of deliciously barbecued meat, Drowned
to q turn by the deft skill of Charlie
order. who was chef extraordinary
for the occasion. Quantities of lemon
AIDE were also prepared to quench the
thirst and assist in washing down
part of the peck of dust allowed to
every man.
Luncheon was spread on tables
under a magnificent oak and it needed
no second call to set the hungry ones
busy carving the juicy tender steaks
that came sizzling hot from the fire.
After the inner man was satisfied COM
Portable seats were found where the
full pleasure of the shade was turned
to advantage.
Target practice was a feature of the
afternoon and the inevitable discus
sion of the merits and advantages of
White steamers was continuous part
of the afternoon program. Nearly
every one present took part in the dis
cussion, three or four groups often
going at once, like the monster quad
ruped aggregation all under one tent
and all for the one price Of admission.
Discussions the Rule
The discussions that are a regular
feature of the White Squadron runs
are not only very interesting, but are
instructive as well, as each driver that
hears them gets the benefit of every.
other drivers experience. NThe popu-
larity of the runs is due to a great ex-
tent to the value of exchanging ideas
and experiences with other drivers of
steam cars, especially those of the
White garage, who are experts.
The novelty of the trips, which are
always made to some point not usually
visited by the average motorist, are,
however, the main attraction, as new
country is seen without the fear of
losing the way or getting stuck.
At present the road to Calabasas is
not in very good shape, as the heavy
teams, with their loads of grain, have
been going over it for three or four
weeks and have cut it up considerably,
but it is not dangerous.
One Of the cars was driven by Miss
Mackenzie of Pasadena, and she had
8 perfect score. Not once did she
hesitate when the road conditions were
poor, but swung the car to this side or
that 1fIr0 a and Of he