Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 8, 1936.
TRIP TO CALIFORNIA BY MOTOR PROVES THRILL TO ELIZABETH TOBIN SO SHE DESCRIBES THE BEAUTY SHE FOUND
EDITOR’S NOTE ー Impressions of a motor trip from Valparaiso to California proved so thrilling to Elizabeth Tobin that she has set them down for the enjoyment of those who never have seen the Wonders such a tour reveals. Miss Tobin is a sister of the late Arthur J. Bowser who gained considerable fame as conductor of his “Siftings” column in The Vidette-Messenger for over a year until his death last summer.
My Trip to California
On November 1st, 1935, Miss Mary Williams, and I started on a trip to California via auto. We started out with many misgivingsーas I was ill and was not sure that I could make the trip. But I came through better physically and mentally, until today I feel fine and feel that I have a new lease on life. I am so thrilled over my trip I would like to tell you something about it.
As we traveled through Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, we went through miles and miles of wasteland and as much as 50 miles at a time we could neither see man or beast. The villages were mere clusters of rude huts dotting an area of rocky desolation. No trees visible. The mountains stand out dreary and gaunt. As the days wore on, and we were drawn from one scene of desolation to another we doubted if we should ever reach the promised land. But finally through a last upheaval of defiant hills we reach the boundary line of California. We sped along with joy in dejection as the scenery was beautiful and barren. Never shall I forget the impression made upon me as I looked upon the gorgeous sunset in the mountains. They were breathless memorable moments.
Los Angelesーa city of business, industry, commerce and cultureーyou can satisfy your interests in any of these, which will occupy many profitable hours. You have an opportunity to live life to its fullest. The paved highways and throngs of motor cars, are an indispensable medium of transportation throughout the year. Miles and miles of scenic boulevards, with inspiring scenery. Gently sloping beaches of clean white sands, cooling and warming breezes of the beautiful Pacific. The sun-bathed beaches present a combination of giant cliffs at the base on which ways dash their fury. Homes, apartments, hotels are built on knolls overlooking the sea.
I shall never forget my first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. It's great majesty and track lit space together with the moaning of the surf upon the sand completely overwhelmed me. We stood awed with its miles of breakers curling into foam. The fascination of Southern California at last completely captured me. It's ocean, desert and mountains, and the life of the city, ranch and beach has cast a magic spell over me.
It is wonderful to ride for such a distance in a perfectly level valley and see an uninterrupted range of mountains 8,000 feet in height, rising like a long battle line of an invading army.
We visited Palos Verdes Hillsーwhere sea meets the mountains and as we stood spell-bound on the summit, below us lay the towns of Long Beach, San Pedro, Point Fermon, North Crescent, etc., and saw the great commercial ships that receive and deliver passengers and freight from all ports of the world, floating fortresses of the U.S. Navy, and graceful pleasure crafts giving in and out. On our way to Palos Verdes Hills stretched away along the valley such enchanting green fields, flowers, beautiful houses nestling in the foliage and orchards with their luscious fruits, that appeared a perfect paradise.
We visited old Plaza Mission Church, in the Heart of Los Angeles, the first church built in Los Angeles in 1814, known as the Church of Nuestra Senora Renegade Los Angeles (Our Lady Queen of the Angeles). The gorgeous old paintingsー masterpiecesーand beautiful statues clothed in Royal Purple velvet, as was in the days of old. The altars are very old and exquisite. It was wonderful to enter this grand old mission.
The Poor Farm in Los Angeles looks like a garden of paradise. Rows of beautiful individual bungalows, paved streets, flowers and palm trees. A wonderful hospital with graduate nurses to care for the sick and invalids. A wonderful dairy, gardens, poultry, etc. It looks like a city of prosperity.
Signal Hillーentirely surrounded by Long Beachー has extensive oil developments. The hill is entirely covered with oil wells.
Santa Monica is a beautiful place, where the mountains meet the sea. The Douglas Aircraft plant is here.
San PedroーLos Angeles Harbor, gateway to Pacific ports. Headquarters for Pacific fleet.
San Fernandoーwonderful to see miles of citrus fruits and olives.
Veniceーnoted for its beautiful bathing Beach. Flood lights illuminate the marvelous strand.
Long Beachーa beautiful city with its “Midway Pleasants” on the beach and beautiful subway stores. Pleasures of every kind to suit every individual. We took a drive on Rainbow Circle. This drive takes you out into the ocean.
My greatest thrills were the site of the majestic U.S. Navy battleships line in the harbor, and my visit on the Pennsylvania battleship: a yachting trip on the Pacific: my first ride in an airplane and a ride in the Goodyear blimp. Wish I had more time and space to tell you about it.
I had the pleasure of seeing many of the movie stars in person. Mary Pickford, Edmund Lowe, Jack LaRue, Sally Eilers and many others. Also their beautiful estates. Christmas decorations were beyond descriptionーthey were marvellous. I also visited many other places of interest but will not tire of telling you about them.
I thank you for your patience. This trip gave me the thrill of my life and I could not restrain telling you something about it.