OUTDOOR FEAST

Courtesy of Ross Eric Gibson

"Our excursion party of over 300, left Monterey in the morning and we were whirled across a productive stretch of land, through several shady little hamlets, reaching Santa Cruz at noon. Santa Cruz, a thriving city and a pretty one, stretches from the sandy shores of the Bay of Monterey on the south, over a number of hills to the evergreen heights which mark its northern boundary, and is fanned the year round by the cool, refreshing sea breezes which inspire one with life, activity and industry ... The feature of the day was the complimentary feast to be given to our party at the Big Trees, so we boarded the train and were carried along slowly, up a picturesque canyon clothed with green shrubbery, which nestled cosily at the roots of the towering, arrow-straight redwood trees with which these mountains are hidden; passed through several long, dark tunnels, round sharp curves and over dizzy bridges for ten miles, when we arrived at the grove of red wood giants."

"Before we had time to look about and admire nature’s successful attempt at creating massive trees, we were ushered to the out-door feast, which proved the big-heartedness of the Californians. Everything desirable was at hand, including pretty girls to attend to our wants. Nearly 2,000 people partook of the repast, among whom were two tramps who had stolen in, and when devouring everything within reach, like hungry wolves; they were seen to look cautiously round, and cram things into their trowsers between mouthfuls, and then walk away like lords of creation."

Source: “Santa Cruz - Her Mammoth Trees,” by Jake Miles, Utah Enquirer, August 21, 1888.