The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-05-12
MY TRIP TO THE EAST COAST

tie of my flying trip. I did not stay
long enough in any town to get fully
acquainted with it, but first impress
sions go a long way, and it is these
first impressions which l am relating,
and so If some towns bear inspection
and others lose by it, will have
time to make corrections.
cannot help but place Orlando as
second choice of inland towns, and if
Ocala discovers a rival in my affec-
tons she may know where to look.
There is no reason, though, why
Ocala should not take tip from Or
lando, and do likewise" as the prin-
cipal difference in the two towns is
that the tourists have taken up their
abode there, and a town of her size
with pay rolf of 1000 tourists, is
not to be overlooked.
Orlando has beautiful streets, won
derful shrubbery, clean sanitary
appearance, homes beautiful but not
expensive, and an inviting air of well
come to the stranger. Investigation
shows her lacking in nothing to make
life truly desirable. Three tiny lakes,
like saucers of limpid water sitting in
a green field, invite the stranger to
the enjoyment of the water. Swans
of gigantic size, and two jet black
ones, sailed over the placid waters at
will, adding to the interest of the
scene, as well as the entertainment
of watching their graceful move
ments.
You are not in it in Orlando if you
do not own an automobile. Orlando
has the distinction of owning more
cars than any other town of its size
in the state. There is so little differ
ence between the natural advantages
OF the two towns that am impelled
to advise Ocala to build some houses,
of all sizes and prices, to meet the de-
mands of the tourists who would
spend the winters here if they had the
accommodations.
Palatka is a brand new town. OF
course many will dispute me, but
failed to see much of the obsolete
remains of ancient Palatka; it was
all covered up with the new Palatka.
l liked the location very much on the
banks of the st. Johns, and the di-
verting entertainment of the wharf
traffic, and the never ending wonder
of wind and wave.
AS a small city it has the thrift and
energetic appearance which shows
enterprise, adm l predict a future
for it that will be the envy of many
struggling neighbors. The reason for
this is the resources of trade. There
are fully 10000 possible customers for
the merchants to supply in the sur.
rounding country. Hastings trades
at Palatka, and each day brings
launches and private boats from all
along the river; also the mail boats
bring customers, and the time | spent
there was a constant hustle and rus
tie with the dry goods merchant and
milliner.
ST. Augustine is in a class by it
self. and l will not impose on the
space allotted me by an attempt at
description that will do her justice.
The meeting of the ancient with the
most modern, the atmosphere of path
os surrounding the antiquities. the
: beauties of the Atlantic, the class Of
people l metal is entirely differ
ent from anything ever experienced.
was there the week of the famous
motor boat races for southern cham
pionship, and of course there was
nothing else in the air, on the streets,
at the tables, or in our dreams, but
races. The races lasted three days.
and the most admirable weather pre-
vailed. II was an entirely new sport
to me, as | am an inland person, and
my experience with water is confined
to fresh water lakes, and small ones
at that. But it did not take long to
initiate me. and l was taking notes
along with the veteran mariners be-
fore the first day was over. Oh! but
Il was exciting, and l shall make it a
point of attending all the coast races
that come within my jurisdiction.
I had most delightful visit at
Sanford. The town itself is some
what on the order of village. but the
wealth of celery. when related by an
expert, is enough to make ones head
reel with figures. l had very de-
lightful ride in the big touring car
over the celery farms, and was shown
the wonders of the Sanford system
of irrigation, the amazing results. an l
the wonderful prices 1t has brough.
and is still bringing. l have heard
more wonderful stories. and was
obliged to read the literature put o1r
by the land companies and boards OF
trade and listened 70 tales of woe AMI