The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-03-09
GREETINGS FROM CALIFORNIA
1858 Pasadena Ave,


February %, 1922
Editor Of The Citizen,
Berea, Ky.
I assume that a letter from this
delightful spot in Southern Califor-
MIA will be of sufficient interest TO in
sure its publication in The Citizen.
Mrs. Osborne and | left Berea on
the fifteenth Of February, great day
on the calander, being my---th birth
day. The beginning Of a new year
and new epoch in life's experience
After stop over at Ralph's in
Cincinnati and Raymond's in Chicago,
where we found everybody well and
happy, we boarded the California Lin.
tied. Of the Santa Fe route, for the
great run to the Pacific Coast.
The outstanding impression Of the
trip is that of vastness. An entire
day spent traversing the great ngri-
cultural state of Kansas, with its inn
mense level stretches of fertile soil
on either side, gives one an idea of
the bigness and richness of this
great country Of ours. The run thru
Southeastern Colorado and on into
Central New Mexico TO Albuquerque
was made in the night. This was the
most mountainous part of the trip,
and to fully enjoy, it should be made
in daylight. While crossing the des-
ert region Of Arizona. we encountered
a sand storm which filed the air with
exceedingly fine white sand. A some
what disagreeable experience.
The day at the Grand Canyon was
one to always remember. A cloudy
sky kept some of its beauties hidden,
but occasional bursts of sunlight re-
vealed scenic grandeur and coloring
that battles description. There being
much snow and ice on the ground, we
decided to forego the trip down the
Bright Angel trail, but took instead
the fifteen mile rim drive to "Her.
mit's Rest" Occasional stops at
thrill producing points more than re-
paid the $500 per for the trip. Six
thousand feet below the rim of the
canon can be seen the Colorado river
rushing thru the gorge. From where
we stood it seemed like stream that
could be crossed by a good running
jump. but our guide informed us that
its width is three hundred feet. We
resumed our journey at 7:2O p. M,
tired, but supremacy happy in the
great privilege enjoyed.
All night long we were passing thru
the Rockies, and the two giant en-
gines that drew our train were either
putting with all their might to pull
the ascent or gliding down the grade
with brakes set to the lower levels.
At San Bernardino we arrive at the
gateway into the rich and beautiful
slope to the Pacific.
From here on we pass thru great
orange, walnut and olive groves, and
rich truck gardens, for which South
ern California is noted. A recent
frost has killed much of the fruit.
Literally thousands of bushels have
fallen from the trees as a result of
the most severe frost in thirty years.
This will probably mean an added
price for oranges at Berea.
Soon after dinner we noted an I'M
easiness among the passengers and
increased activity on the part of the |
porter that indicated an approach to
our destination. AS we rolled into
the Los Angeles station, among the
first to see was our son, Albert, and
grandson, Tom, and Mrs. Osborne's |
brother, Ben. Maltby, whom some
Bereans will pleasantly remember.
A delightful ride in Dr. Maltby's
fine REQ over the twenty-five miles of
a wonderful boulevard brought us TO
our western objective, happy and
thankful for the great experience we
are now enjoying.
With best wishes to The Citizen
family,
am, yours truly.
Thos. J. Osborne