The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-03-09
Twenty miles farther south is the |

Twenty miles farther south is the
city of San Jose, having popula-
ton of $4,000. 1t is a very pretty
place and has one of the state Nor
mails. This city is in the famous
Santa Clara valley, known the world
over for its fruits. This valley is of
considerable extent and is broadened
by mountains both on the east and
the west. The valley narrows toward
the south and is cut off by the San
Juan mountains. To reach the Sa-
linas valley we must again resort to
mountain climbing over the San Juan
grade. AS this was all paved, we
made the grades and curves at good
speed. We stopped part way up on
the north side for the noon lunch, and
while enjoying the same were sur
prised by several flashes of lightning
and heavy rolls OF thunder. Not wish
ing to be caught on an up grade in
thunder storm, we hastily proceeded
to reach the crest and a somewhat
sheltered place on the down grade.
We got but little of the storm and
pursued our way to Salinas, and then
made side trip of % miles to Del
Monte, Monterey and Pacific Grove.
These are upon the bay of Monterey
and the Pacific ocean. We remained
here from Thursday until Saturday,
and much enjoyed the rides and his
toric places. Much Of California S
early history was made here, both in
its political sides, and in the early
mission life.
Resuming our journey, for the next
100 miles we followed the general up
ward course of the Salinas river
which gives it's name to the valley.
This valley is generally very fertile.
The principal products are grain, al
falfa, fruits, sugar beets, and beans.
The sugar beets are largely harvested.
We passed extensive storehouses fill
ed with sacks of grain and beans.
Many of the coast beans are of the
small variety but the greater portion
are the large lima beans. North of
vile, there is large acreage of straw
Salinas around San Juan and Watson
berries, and We saw large numbers of
Japanese picking the same.
The Salinas valley is given much
to dairying and fine herds of cattle
were frequently seen.
In leaving the Salinas valley, we
again met the old problem of noun
tain pass and sharp curves and steep
grades. The one before us was the
Cuesta Pass, leading over the noun
tains of same name to the city of
San Luis Obispo.
Those who have taken the coast
route on the Southern Pacific railway
may remember series of many tun-
nels, steep grades, and wonderful
views. The railway makes
this same Cuesta Pass, but while it.
negotiates the ridges and curves by
means of tunnels, the, auto, performs
the same by. climbs and sharp, turns.
But we were getting used to- these
things and level stretch of road
seemed monotonous in comparison.
A few miles beyond San Luis Obs
pc, we came to the ocean, but after
a few miles of coast travel we again.
made for the interior valley of the
Santa Maria river, as the coast was
beaded by abrupt mountains. Our
course continued for so miles through
this valley. Many Of the hills and
valleys through the country and prev
ious valleys we have traversed, are
quite thickly dotted withAive oaks, "a
very pretty tree. Several times we
have pitched our tents under them.
AT the south end of the valley we
had about the worst piece of road
since leaving the Sierras. This pat
Of the road is known as the Gaviota
Pass, and is about ten miles in extent |
and takes one over tile Santa NYrrez
1t is unpaved, steep,
sharp turns, and somewhat rough.
Mr.. Joslin thought he would be able
to play a pipe organ after some of his
experiences in manipulating levers,
pedals, and cut-euts.
From 'Gaviota to Ventura, a dis
lance of sixty miles, our course lay
along the ocean, in several places the
roadway being on long bridges or
trestles, made on piling, with the1
ocean surf rolling underneath. sThe
Southern Pacific railway took all of !
the available space in many places, as
the high bluffs come abruptly to the
waters edge.