Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-10-19
ALETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
Los Angeles, Cal,


TO be able to get out into The fresh air and
take a look around that famous Southern
city; and again upon reaching New Or
leans we were allowed stop over Tor
few hours, which enabled us to get good
square meal and to see little OF the
Southern metropolis. Leaving New Or
leans, we passed through new and varia-
Bile scenes all OF more or less interest and
the trip became less tiresome. AtEl Pa
so, Texas, soldiers of the United States
were lined up on one side of the famous
Rio Grande river and those OF the MeXl-
can rebel army on the other side, both
plainly visible from the train. The Rio
Grande was practically dry at this season
of the year.
| reached Los Angeles on time, and my
daughter being a little late arriving at the
train, missed me, and some friends made
on the train directed me to her home, so
that upon her return was in the orange
orchard enjoying the fruit, which was at
IFS best at that time. have eaten oran-
ges until they no longer taste any better
to me than a common Ben Davis apple
from West Virginia would taste. ltrained
the day following my arrival, but ralned
no more until September 18th, when we
had heavy shower, and no more is ex-
pected until December or January. The
summer climate here is fine; we have no
sweltering hot days or nights; no light
ming or thunder storms; no heavy winds;
only three or four days was it warm
enough to compel me to take off my coat,
and only a few nights that blanket did
not feel comforting.
For many days after arrival we took
daily excursions to the various points OF
interest; to Los Angeles famous Eastlake
and Westlake Parks; TO BuSch'S Million
dollar garden in Pasadena; through the
miles OF homes owned by millionaires
from all over the country who live here
during the winter season, veritaole pal
aces covered with vines and flowers OF
every imaginable name and description,
all in full bloom in the month OF April;
not the stately grand brick and stone
structures OF the East, but grand homes
surrounded by all the beauties of nature,
fruit and flowers. In fact, almost every
home in Los Angeles has its own home
space with its lovely green lawn, an
abundance OF flowers growing to the
second story windows and in some cases
over the tops of the roofs, and with fruit
and vegetables growing in the back yards.
Truly, it is a city of beautiful homes,
whether or not all occupied by angels, as
the name would imply, | have not yet
been able to discover, though have met
some who, in my opinion, might make
the necessary "angel' for any home;
but, of course, might be mistaken.
have taken many trips from Los An
geles to the beaches which are scattered
all along the West Coast about twenty
miles distant from the city, and enjoyed
the days watching the batherS and pleas
ure seekers upon the various amusement
devices, and in fact tried several OF them
myself.
A delightful trip is the one TO Catalina
Island, which lies about forty miles in a
southeasterly direction out in the ocean.
AT Catalina we visited the famous marine
gardens, which are viewed through a
glass bottom boat Words will not SUI
flee TO describe the wonders OF the deep;
one must just mediate and remember,
elbow wonderful are thy works, o, Lord,
how great is the sum OF Them" Having
made the trip to Catalina Island through
a choppy sea without becoming seasick,
imagined myself seasoned sailor, and
had no further hesitancy in riSkingmyself
upon the great Pacific, which conclusion
reached to my sorrow. Having receiv-
ed an invitation to accompany party on
an ocean fishing trip, gladly accepted.
We hired launch and put out about
eighteen miles to sea and began to fish.
We started early, and all went well until
about eleven O'Clock, when | began to
observe an inward swelling of the tide"
and an almost irresistible desire to feed
the fishes other bait than that upon the
hook; but bravely swallowed my Ad-
ANS apple and held off because had a
"bite" on my line, which succeeded in
landing after hard fight, when | found
that had a beautiful yellow-tail weigh
ing at least forty pounds, until put him
on the scales, when | found he had
dwindled down to twelve. This was the
first big fish ! ever caught, and the ex-
citement was too much for my interior
nerves. gave up all had in me for the
benefit OF the fishes, and fished no more
that day nor the next, and am not quite
sure if I'll ever 60 again. However, il
was an experience, and pains and pleas
ures must 60 together.
A trip to San Diego, where the 1915
exposition will be held, disclosed beau
tiful city, full of life and activity. From
there we took a jaunt into old Mexico,
visited Tia Juana, the scene of recent
conflict between Mexicans and rebels;
also to the home of Ramona, made ia
nous in the writings of Helen Hunt Jack
son; to Coronado. the crown of the
ocean, pleasure resort just across San
Diego bay.
Saturday last we took a trip to the top
of Mt. Lowe, up the remarkable inclined
railway, coming back at night, stopping
at Mt. Echo, where we had look at the
moon through the great telescope located
there. II looked very much like the
earth, with its mountains and valleys, but
we did not discover any persons walking
around.