Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-03-27
.s.'s.'....'.s'.s. Observation-Disclosures.
!. TOURING FLORIDA. j.
.IsS.S.S't.S.S.st.sS..S.


A visit to Silver Springs, near
Ocala, was one of tho most interest
ing and beautiful of the many Flor
ida wonders that we have seen. This
was taken zen route from Wautula,
Lake county, to st. Petersburg,
which Journey gave us a fine view of
the entire west coast-15O miles over
brick roads.
Silver Spring is located six miles
from the beautiful little city Of
Ocala.s This road is one Of the most
picturesque drives in Florida and is
called "The Lovers Lape." One can
well imagine the hosts OF counting
couples that have passed over this
romantic boulevard, shaded by sway
ing gray moss and waving palms
The spring itself has an area of one
acre or more. One gets into cano-
pied glass-bottom boat and then the
wonderland begins. AS we peer
down, the whole bottom of the spring
presents scene after scene Of great
forests of jeweled columns and tap
estried caves. The water is so clear
that the printing. on a newspaper SO
feet below can be seen. Nothing
short Of a real fairy scene can ex-
press ones impressions Of this mys-
tic wonder Of the world The sun
rays upon The water produce hues
Of peacock green and blues, pale yell
low and intense snowy white. Ehe
thing with silver, making of weeds
and grass ieweled forms OF many
shapes;- chromatic colors vie with
the dark browns Of the deep, shadowy
pools.
Silver Springs is the headwater Of
the Oslawaha river, called by many
"the mystic rivera, very crooked
stream bordered with giant oaks,
,magnolias, palms, cypress, bays and
other trees, and draped with gray
moss.
Brooksville is a prosp erous little
city Of lovely homes, q fine court
house and other public buildings.
The public square is beautifully rept,
being sodded with grass aud planted
in all kinds of Towering trees apd
palms. An imposing Confederate
monument of great beauty has been
recently erected.
The next place of Interest was
New Port Richie, and it is here we
had our first view Of the Gulf Of
Mexico. Night was spept here, then
on in full view Of the gulf we sped
to Tarpon Springs, one Of tn, most
interesting towns on the gulf coast.
For several hours we fingered under
the green arches Of the park, watch
ed the boats, had rest in we'll
arranged rest room, the work Of the
woman's club. These havens of rest
we found III all OF the towns--a boon
indeed to the country shoppers as
well as to auto tourists.
Clearwater, a town OF great beau
ty,~a and its near neighbor, Belle Air.
Ga millionaire c0lony)~were given
spent driving through shady streets,
a two-mile bridge across an arm
of the gulf took us to Clearwater
Beach, where we had our first sight
Of surf bathing. A large pavilion
accommodates the great number Of
picinckers daily, so we luncheI
there, having a fine salt water fish
dinner. Our way led by Southerland,
the new Methodist college; then
came st. Petersburg, the Sunshine
CITY" We have been here two
weeks, fishing, listening to fine mu-
sic, walking along the pier and talk
ing lovely little Journeys all around.
But I must stop, as l fear the
waste basket. Will write further Of
st. Petersburg next week.
Carrie Reid.
67 Fourth Avenue, w.,