Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1921-06-02

and part OF the estate was small
park containing many varieties Of
trees and a great many hot-houses.
These lighthouses contained almost
every variety of flower that can be
obtained. The most unique and larg-
est hot-house that | have ever seen
was one about one hundred feet
square and containing many different
species of tropical palms, rubber
trees, bamboo trees and many others
that had not seen, although have
been in tie tropics. The tallest Of
the palm trees was 100 feet high and
to get a look at it it was necessary
to climb a stairway to the top of the
hot and walk around plat
form built along the doubl @
glass walls and from here very
good idea of tropical forest could
be obtained by anyone who had never
seen one.
After leaving the kings estate
went to the opposite side of the city
and visited park about half as large
as Bronx Park in New York and con-
tanning many animals. A wide avenue
"Hindenburgstrasse" parallels the
park and on a small side street off
from it / saw a fair sized house of
the old German style, the name plate
of which announced the fact that
General Won Hindenburg dwelled
therein. 1t was unpretentious and no
better than many others surrounding
it. | left Hanover all too soon and
returned to Bremen once more, but
quite satisfied that had the oppor-
tunity to visit one of the many fine
cities in Germany. | am enclosing
! herewith some post cards of Hanover
which may be Of interest.
Upon learning that my vessel was
no. going to Hamburg as was orig
inally planned, | decided to make a
quick dash to Berlin during our three
remaining days stay in Germany. A
quick dash expresses exactly the way
! Travelled to Berlin, distance of 200
miles, my vehicle of travel being an
aeroplane. As | had never before
ridden in an aeroplane the trip was
naturally full of unusual sensations
and sights had never before exper-
fenced but which were very satisfy
ing. Upon arrival at the flying
field in Bremen l was bundled into a
large leather coat put on over my
heavy overcoat. Then a wool helmet
was put on, followed by about three
yards of wooden muffler and finally
leather hood over all. With pair
Of large aeroplane glasses placed over
my own Il have worn glasses since
was eight years old | began to re-
semble somewhat a modern aviator.
clambered into seat just behind
the pilot while the other passenger
was seated in an isinglass enclosed
cabin located just ahead of the pilot.
+ While my seat was the most exposed
10 the elements il was also the best
seat to watch the unusual panorama
which presently was unfolded before
me- With a roar the engine was
started and we started moving slowly
down the field. Our speed increased
rapidly and after mad dash down
the field of about three hundred feet
we took to the air, swung about in
large half circle climbing into the
sky all the while and finally headed
en- our course for BERN. The pres
sure Of the wind was very strong
against my face but was shortly for
gotten so interested had | become in
what lay below. Houses, trees, cat
tie and people began to shrink per-
ceptsbly as we mounted higher and
higher while the field of vision was
rapidly increased. Never before had
the city and towns seemed so fresh
and clean, fields so well laid out and
rivers so silvery looking. Soon ] no.
ticed a rain squat approaching which
passed under us. Il seemed that the
rain fell from nowhere as we were
above 1t and the water appeared to
be falling horizontally instead of YER
tically, this being caused of course
by our great speed through the air.
Later on we passed through rain
squalls ourselves, one small snow
squat and several heavy guests of
wind of several minutes duration
But intermittently the sun shone and
so we continued, above clouds
through clouds and below clouds until
at last in the distance the city of
Berlin became visible. | was greatly
surprised to see over what an area
the city was spread out, il being |
should imagine at least three times
the area Of New York City.
We passed within sight of the huge
wireless station Of Nauen near Ber
lin, then over the summer palace and
rich mems homes of Potsdam and
finally over a part of Berlin itself
until at last the flying field was
sighted. The engine was then stopped
and we glided swiftly to earth, the
sudden quiet after the steady roar OF