The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-01-14
AN|NTEREST|NG
REPORT OF TRIP
TO CALF 0RN|A
E. j. ToMLlNsoN ARRIVES AT Ar
oMAs, SOUTH OF SAN FRAN
CISCO, AFTER ALMOST A WEEK
OF TRAVELLING FROM PENsA.
COLA.
Aromas. Cal. Jan. 8, 1913.

Aromas, Cal. Jan. s, 1913.
Editor Pensacola journal:
Before we left Florida a great many
of our neighbors and friends, fnclud-
ing yourself, asked US to write them.
II you will allow me a little space in
your columns 1t will save me a great
deal of writing, as they all read The
Journal.
We left there Dec. Is, on the night
train arriving in New Orleans the
next morning at $3.50 and were trans
ferred by cab over the rough cobble
stone paved streets to the S. P. union
station. Leaving at 1870 we soon
reached "the father of waters" and
out train was ferried across in two
sections. side by side. We were soon
in the sugar cane section OF Louisiana
where we saw them loading cane on
cars run right out into the fields of
cane. I predict that this will be a ia
miliar scene in some parts Of Florida
in a few years.
was not favorably impressed with
this section as place of residence.
There is SO much low marshy land. ]
would think there would be a great
deal Of malaria. Night coming on. the
next morning. Wednesday, found US in
Texas, In which state we travelled all
day and night. Saw some good coun-
Try. but most of It is uninviting.
Our train was heavily loaded and at
Fl Paso. Thursday morning we were
told they would have to run a second
section, and we were ordered to get off
and wait half an hour until 1t was
ready. On leaving the train we found
1t was cold and chilly. Icicles three
e -
water tank. We were soon speeding
drawing a train of ten or twelve
heavily loaded cars at a good speed.
Crossing into New Mexico we saw
little of interest, except few Indians
and their adobe houses, as we pass
night. We arrived at Yuma and
passed into California at day break
Friday morning.
| Here we were at last, in the great
state OF California, but we travelled
| half Of the forenoon before we saw
anything very inviting. We passed
through sand storm, which reminded
me very much of the snow storms in
| the north. It almost stopped the
train. but we were soon through 1t.
We were now nearing Pomona and
could see oranges everywhere. Arrdv-
ed at Los Angeles at 1900 and left
for Watsonville at 2:40 p. m. Got some
glimpses of the Pacific by moonlight.
1 We arrived at our destination Satur-
day morning at 5 o'clock and were met
| by our brother-in-law and driven to
his home We found the morning air
quite chilly. In fact, they claim it
has been the coolest here it has been
for over twenty years, and some say
the coolest ever known. There has
been ice an inch. thick and 1t is re-
ported that the orange crop is ruined.
There has been very little rain. but
| It is raining today and suppose the
rainy season has just commenced. So
much depends on this people are anx-
ious about it. This is a great fruit
section, but there is considerable farm
ing done also. They do things on a
larger scale here than they do in Flor
ida. I saw one man blowing with six
teen large horses to a gang pillow.
We are very nicely located on a
hillside fruit ranch" seven miles east
OF Jacksonville on the main line of
the Southern Pacific, about one hun
dred miles south of San Francisco.
Our place adjoins the little town of
Aromas and we have fine view of the
town and the Santa Cruz mountains
beyond. The place is all set to fruit.
mostly apples and apricotS, some cher
Iries, peaches, prunes, English walnuts
and berries. all in good bearing. This
is the pruning season. We have a fine
spring on the hillside with water
lpiped into the house, and outside for
irrigation.
Having always lived in a level coun-
try 1t looks pretty rough to US, but we
think we are going to like 1t here.
Will be pleased to hear from any
of our old friends who feel like
| writing.
The Journal is welcome visitor.
E. ]. TOMLINSON.