The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-06-17
An Early Look at the Pacific
Exposition.
From a former resident of Belfast ]

perienced when we picked our way I'M
der the dripping palms and across the
flooded pavements to the waiting hotel
bus that evening we reached Los An
geles.
"Unusual," too, when we arrived at
the fine, new railway station in San
Diego and looked out upon streets down
which rivers were running. Above all,
''most unusual to land at the ferry sta
ton in San Francisco in what seemed al
most cloud-burst, against which UNI
brellas were of little avail. Then l re
membered the remark of a Western
friend who visited Boston one fall: "Ten
days of rain are too much. shall never
come East again in October.
But if one will plan to visit California
in early February, during her annual
housekeeping season, what else can one
expect? On previous visits had never
seen green California. Summer and
winter fields were brown and dry. Now
a lovely verdure covered the hills and
even the orange trees stood upon rich,
green carpets. Here and there, few
early peoples raised their bright heads.
When the clouds lifted, as they did for
our pleasure, most beautiful were the
views in all directions. Srow-covered
mountains against the hluest of skies,
orange and lemon trees heavily loaded
with fruit. perfect roadways bordered by
palms.
Who could complain when all traces of
dust were so completely washed away?
We were most fortunate to have many
such perfect days for our sightseeing.
One in particular, when we rode by auto
mobile to Point Iona for the view of
San Diego Bay and the wide sweep of
ocean beyond. The Mediterranean was
never more blue nor the air more balmy.
Another ride to Tia Juana on the Mexi-
can side, gave US beautiful mountain
scenery, and the ride back along the
Silver Strand at sunset showed US Coro-
mado Beach Hotel and it's lovely gardens.
One day, sufficed for look at the San
Diego Exposition. The white buildings,
largely in mission style, stand in beau
tiful park just outside the city, and from
this hill one has glimpses of the blue
waters of the harbor. Most of the
buildings have fine arcades, where one
car walk when the sunshine is too warm
for comfort. Unlike the middle west,
in California shade always means cool
mess.
Several large buildings are devoted to
wonderful displays of CALIFORNIA; fruits
nd vegetables, and most elaborately
decorated with grains of every kind.
Great heaps of oranges and apples Great
ed a desire for fruit, only satisfied by
drinking the delicious orange juice and
sweet cider. made 'while you wait
In one building, hourly Illustrated lee
lures are given telling of CALIFORNIA; at
fractions and advantages. Correspond
ing to the Midway" at Chicago, the
pike" at St. Louis and the Zone" at
San Francisco, is the "Isthmus" of San
Diego One Of the best attractions is
The painted Desert where a large
group of Indians from New Mexico and
Arizona are carrying on the occupations
of ev ryday life. Pottery, bead-work,
pretty rugs and baskets are being made
here. When feet are little weary it is
a pleasure to step into one of the "elec-
triquettes" and Slowly roll about the
grounds. These are novelty, wicker
seat for two people, raised but few
inches from the ground and controlled
'oy lever. Any novice can guide one
and the moderate pace does not inter-
fere with sightseeing.
The pleasant ride from San Diego to
Los Angeles takes but four and half
hours. Much of the way the ocean is
in full view. Los Angeles has grown
wonderfully in the fifteen years since l
was last there. Fine boulevards, bor-
dered with palms, beautiful homes and
sumptuous winter hotels show it's pros
perity. While there, we attended the
Presbyterian church of which DR.. John
Balloon Shaw is pastor. A large congre-
cation filled the building to its utmost
capacity.
The next Sunday we went to the First
Congregational Church, a fine, large
structure Of gray stone. Here. too, every
seat was taken. We were told that no
pastor in the city is more beloved than is
DR.. William E. Day.
One day, we found ourselves on the
way to Claremont, the seat of Pomona
College, before we learned the Congrega-
tional Club of Southern California was to
hold its meeting there. However, as 10y
sal Congregationalists that did not deter
AS from going on, and we had the pleas
IRE of listening to DR.. R. R. Meredith's
fine lecture upon Abraham Lincoln, of
attending the dedication of piece of
ground for missionary Home, and of
enjoying twilight organ recital at the
church before returning to the pretty Inn
for the banquet. A full but pleasant day.
Any one desiring quiet, restful home
for the winter months would surely ap-
nreciate CIaremont Inn with ifs delipht-