Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-25
MOdish Ford Victoria Offering

varieties give it a unique atmosphere
suggestive Of the Far East rather than
Of America. Along the bay extends the
wide Biscayne Boulevard and series OF
inviting parks. The water front is also
a scene of ever-changing activity, for
Miami is a growing seaport. The bus
mess section Of the city is thoroughly
metropolitan in aspect with its towering
buildings and hotels, shops, theaters and
restaurants.
Miami Beach is on beautiful island
connected with Miami proper by three
causeways across the bay. 1t is an ideal
residential and sports center with miles
of marvellous ocee beach. There are
number of luXuriant hotels here and
the social atmosphere of the resort is
very much like that of Palm Beach.
Surf bathing is very popular here
throughout the year as many Of the
large hotels are located right on the
ocean front. There are four polo fields
AS well as dog race tracks and three
golf courses
Below Miami, route l passes through
Cocoanut Grove, Homestead and Flor
ida City. Beyond here the highway
leaves the mainland and goes out over
the Florida keys along the famous Over
sea Highway. The drive from here
down to Key West is unique. 1t is 1870
miles across the Atlantic Ocean, touch
ing the links in the chain of Florida
keys Key Largo is the first key after
leaving the mainland; next comes Plan
tation, then Matecume, and at Lower
Matecume ii is necessary to take ferry
for 40 miles to No Name Key. 1t is
four and one-half hours sail across the
gap in the highway, and then the road
continues over the remaining keys,
finally coming to the 81 100000 bou'e-
ward entrance to Key West and the
end of the Federal Highway No. /,
which has its origin way up north in
Fort Kent. Me.
Miami Beach.
Kew West is the southernmost city
in the United States and the only one
free from frost. During its early days
the island was frequented by pirates;
today it is a quaint maritime city, with
every street looking out upon the sea.
Along the city docks the activities OF
the fishing, sponge and turtle indus
tries are still of unique interest Be-
cause of its strategic location, Key West
also is the headquarters for naval and
military posts and has long been an
important point for the observation and
collection of marine life. The waters
that surround the island and the chan
nels which lead in and out among the
many adjacent islands provide uncX-
celled fishing and cruising grounds. For
this reason Key West is frequented by
an increasing number of sportsmen and
yachtSmen.
A point of interest for motorists who
would like to go abroad lies in the fact
that Havana, Cuba, is but a SiX-hour
sail from Key West. This city rivals in
brilliance and charm the fashionable
centers of Europe. trip to Havana.
therefore, is the next thing to going
abroad. Old Spain fingers in its quaint
balconied streets, grilled windows,
frowning fortress and venerable cathe-
drals But it has likewise wide boule-
wards, fine residences, hotels, cafes
and theaters and many points of his
toric and scenic interest.
West Coast Tour.
Florida. in addition to her famous
east coast, also has a decidedly attrac-
tive and popular west coast, bordering
on the Gulf of Mexico, and between
the two a charming lake and highland
region.
Motorists who have gone down the
east coast to Miami and then wish to
see the other sections of the State may
turn westward here, according to the
Automobile Club of America. New York
City, and follow the Tamiami Trail
through the Everglades over to the west
coast. This is route "a. The trail
comes out near Marco, on the west
coast, and then the highway turns
north, running via Naples and Fort
Myers to Punta Gorda
Fort Myers is known as the city of
pa ms II has a most lu%uriant growth
of tropical vegetation and its main
street is lined with a double row of
palms from IS to 80 years old.
Punta Gorda is one of the leading
resorts on the Gulf coast of the State.
1t has a lovely location on Charlotte
Harbor and facilities for all manner of
outdoor sports. One of the favorites is
trapShooting An annual Midwinter
tournament Of this sport is held in
Punta Gorda usually during the last
week in January, and draws famous
shots from all over the country There
also is splendid fresh-water fishing in
the stream. The harbor and its outer
reaches are world-famous tarpon fish,
ing grounds.
Running northward, the route passes
through Murdoch, and Venice TO Sara
sofa. on the palm -fringed shores of
Sarasota Bay. In this town the John
and Mabel Ringing Art Museum. a
wonderful building, housing an i'm
portant art collection, is TO open this
season. Next comes Bradenton, and
then Tampa, one of the leading cities
Of the West Coast. In addition 10
being an important industrial center
and a port for Southwestern Florida.
Tampa is likewise a famous Winter
resort Here at the end of January
and the first part of February is held
the South Florida Fair. Exhibits are
on display from foreign countries as
well as collections Of all the tropical
fruits grown in the State itself Dur
ing the 10 days the fair is in progress
the entire sky about Tampa is ablaze
with light from the spectacular fire.
works display, Gssparilla day is one of
the most interesting events Of the fair
Tampa and "St. Pete
From Tampa the motoriSt should
cross by way of the Candy Bridge over
to st. Petersburg, the Sunshine City"
which enjoys a fine location on the
Southern tip of the Pinelas peninsula.
by the waters Of Tampa Bay. Boca
Ciega Bay. and the Gulf of Mexico.
Six miles of this water front are NUM-
cipally owned, to be used for parks,
Fairgrounds, boulevaTds, port and yacht
harbors. st. Petersburg has facilities
| for all manner of outdoor sports; 1t
also has new million dollar recreation
pier, where there is room for hundreds
Of automobiles. there are also dancing
| floors. fishing stages, boat landings, and
| great auditorium In March. usually,
| the city holds its annual Festival of the
| States, which attracts thousands of Wis
itors Leaving the city fer the North.
| the motorist will find delightful exit
| is TO run over the new free cauSeWay TO
| the Gulf beaches, then over the chain
of keys skirting the coast, going back
! TO the mainland over the WEIGH cause
way then turning north to Clearwater.
From Clearwater continue North
along the coast. passing through Dune
din, Hudson, to Aripeka, there turning
/ inland to BrookVille From here the