Hello Listers - I thought I'd finish off transcribing the part about California from my gg grandfather William E. Booth's June 1893 travel journal about his trip from Cowansville, Quebec, Canada to California. He's leaving Los Angeles for a trip to San Diego. Christine Chirokas "After visiting a few of the seaside bathing places, which we found to real health-invigorating resorts, with every accommodation provided for bathing, fishing, boating, etc., etc., we proceed on to the city of San Diego, the most southern part of the State, and about 135 miles from Los Angeles. We take the Santa Fe Route; it is certainly a most delightful trip. We pass through some beautiful fruit ranches, corn fields and vineyards, also some very large cattle ranches and grain fields. The grain was principally all cut and stacked, and the threshers were at work over the field, while other men were engaged with from four to eight horse teams hauling the grain to several shipping stations. This line runs about 50 miles along in sight of the ocean, and for many miles down to the water's edge, while on the other side the rocks tower many feet above us; altogether it is sublime, and has only to be seen to be appreciated. After passing through some very nice little towns, and beautiful scenery we arrive in the city of San Diego, which is another wonder in itself. It is situated on the coast, and after learning a little of its history, we could not compare it to anything but Jonah's gourd, when we understand it to be but about seven years old, and having a population of about 12,000, with some very grand buildings both public and private, and boasts of having the finest shipping harbor on the coast. Convenient to this city is supposed to be the largest hotel in the world, covering some seven acres of ground, and is known as the Coronado hotel. It can be reached from the city by a ferry boat or a small motor belt line, which runs every hour to and from it. We take this belt line and go on to South San Diego, which is about 15 miles from the city, and about a mile or so of Mexico. This is a very beautiful climate, much more healthy we should say than is Los Angeles, the seasons being more moderate. The product being principally lemons, apricots and all other smaller fruits. Your readers shall not have forgotten the familiar names of Messrs. Wood & Bodin, who left Cowansville some time ago for these parts. Hearing they were located in this vicinity, we resolved to look them up. We found them, however, and quite at home too, among their young orchard of about 2,000 lemon and other fruit trees. After our joys had been expressed at meeting with each other again, we all went in to make merry, and to thank the Lord for His kind care of us. Many questions were soon asked us about their many friends in Cowansville, which we can assure you they have not forgotten. After refreshments our friends got their horse and carriage in readiness and we were driven around a considerable portion of the neighboring vicinity, all of which we were well pleased with. Our time is now up, and we say good bye to our friends, hoping to meet them again in the near future. Many may feel like asking the question: "What encouragement would you give me to go there?" To which we would answer in this form; If your health is failing, your system is run down, and you can afford this trip, then we would say come, you will be helped. Again if you have an independence and would like a good place to spend your latter days, we would say try California. If you have a strong desire to work for the Lord, in trying to turn the sinners from the evil of their ways, and you have no subjects bad enough at home to work upon, then come to California. If you are a poor man, and have to earn your living by the sweat off your brow, then we would advise you to remain at home, for this place is overstocked with that class. Hoping that this sketch of our trip to this southern clime and our advice to those who might be anxious to come, seeking this world's goods, may be sufficient to convince and satisfy all, that there are worse places than California. We will close by saying adieu to all, and remain as your your friend."