The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-03-15
LIFE IN FLORIDA
Continued from Page one.)

make the time pass swiftly. We
were amused with watching the
many colored birds and listening to
their notes-watching the chamele-
Gus change color, and the hyacinths
floating on the water. The shores of
the river are lined with hyacinths
which reach far out into the water.
These constantly breaking off go
floating away like little islands of
green, bossoming as they go.
About half past nine o'clock we
heard the whistle and soon our boat
came plowing through the water.
The ropes were made fast, the gang
plank thrown out and soon our party
were aboard and on the upper deck
enjoying the beautiful panorama
spread out before us.
The distance from Blue Spring
Landing to Sanford is only twelve
miles by land, but by the windings
of the river it is twenty-five miles
and such scenery-it seemed like
fairyland-the tall palmettos on
either side-the many arms of the
river covered with hyacinths looking
like avenues flower paved-the lux
uriant foliage, the strange birds
which would take fight at our ap-
proach, all combined to form scene
of the richest enchantment. Often
we would see a beautiful blue heron
standing solitary on the banks of the
river, which would spread it's grace
full wings, lift itself and glide away
as we came near. A white crane
flew up just a short distance from
us, bald eagle took flight and
| lie, Nf ;,Ir - f,,1
plumage. Looking ahead we saw
countless little heads sticking VI
above the water. AS we neared them
they proved to be wild ducks which
| flew up and along with their feet
trailing through the water. This
scene was repeated over and over
during our trip.
On one shore we saw whole
family of turkey buzzards feasting on
good things. They made such awk.
ward work trying to walk on land
that we were sure they were out oi
their element.
Often on a log would be seen 6
whole string of turtles which one
after another would go thump into
the water and by the time we hat
reached them not one could be seen
|
What seemed more strange thar
all the rest were the alligators. We
counted fifteen, large and small, tha
we saw during our trip. When they
heard our boat they would slide of
from the bank into the water in the
twinkling of an eye, ell except two
old monsters who were either too
lazy to move or else they were will
ing to stand battle; anyway there
they lay, great ugly monsters, one o
which seemed to be at least twelve
feet long.
While speaking of ugly things
must not forget to mention the IRA
zor backs" We saw plenty of them
The guide said: when you see hos
standing with all four feet on a ker
mel of corn eating the heart out o
it you may be certain that it is
razor back U just quote this 81
you may be able to tell one when yol
see it). He said many other yer.
smart things but do not want THE
CITIZEN to issue an extra" so
will withhold the lustre.
Looking ahead we saw the rive
widening and railroad bridge span
ming it. While we were wondern
how our boat would pass the bridg
parted, swinging aside while our boa
passed. This is the draw-bridge en-
trance to Lake Munroe, one of tn
chain of lakes through which the 81
John flows. This lake is two mile
wide and three miles long and is tn
head of navigation, although the 81