THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 235 



shortest and most direct, and that by which the trip may be 

 made in the shortest space of time, is by way of Louisville, 

 Nashville, and Montgomery, Ala. By this route, tickets to 

 Cedar Key and return may be purchased over either of two 

 or three roads running south from Chicago, good for six 

 months, for about $65. This route takes the tourist to Bald- 

 win, only twenty miles from Jacksonville. Here a stop-over 

 check should be procured, good for fifteen days, in order to 

 visit Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and to make a trip by 

 steamer up the St. John's and Oclawaha rivers. 



No trip to Florida could be complete if it did not include 

 a view of the magnificent scenery of these two streams, and 

 of the antique city of St. Augustine. The additional ex- 

 pense of this trip, to the sum above stated, would be about 

 $27, including meals on the river steamers, making the round 

 trip from Chicago to Cedar Key and return cost $93. The 

 distance thus traveled will be about 2,800 miles by rail, and 

 about 950 miles by water 475 on the St. John's and 450 on 

 the Oclawaha. 



If a party of three or more go together, excursion rates 

 may be procured that will materially reduce the rates of fare 

 as above stated. 



As to the portions of the state where fish and game are 

 most abundant, opinions of those who have spent much time 

 in traveling over the state differ. Some claim that the Indian 

 river country is the best ; others that the Oclawaha and St. 

 John's rivers flow through the finest game country, but, all 

 things considered, I am of the opinion that for both fishing 

 and shooting the lower portion of the Gulf coast is unsur- 

 passed by any other part of the state. Besides, it is more 

 easily accessible than other favorable resorts, and the accommo- 

 dations that sportsmen may find there are better than those 

 usually found, on the Indian river especially. Steamships run 



