Jack London State Historic Park Moon Letter Operated by Jack London Park Partners Summer 2020 NEWS FROM THE PARK Live Like a London ith so much uncertainty, it is difficult to plan W park programming here at Jack London State Park. Under normal circumstances, park staff would be working with hike leaders, photography experts, musi- by Iris Jamahl Dunkle cians, naturalists and a host of other programmatic Have you ever wondered who took that famous leads to fill our calendar with a vast array of exciting photograph of Jack London riding his horse on park events. Our education and park tours staff would Sonoma Mountain? (The photo you see on all of be busily preparing for groups from all over the world the trash cans at the park.) – taking them through our state-of-the-art museum Well, I did and researching telling the story of the London’s and sharing fantastic that one photograph’s secrets of the park. We would be working with schools origin sent me on one of from all over the Bay Area, scheduling field trips and the most amazing jour- environmental education classes. Not this year. neys of my life. As it turns out, few scholars had However, that does not mean our park staff and volun- stopped to think about teers have not busy. Far from it. They have been filling who was behind the cam- shifts at the entrance kiosk, updating our online inter- era that day: they were more concerned with pretive retail store, producing virtual tours and educa- who was in the photo. But, through research I tional programming, watering trees, cleaning the Pig discovered it was none other than Charmian Palace, detailing the historic cottage…the list goes on Kittredge London who stood behind the lens. and on. And there is still so much to do. Charmian learned photography in her early So, even with the park operating differently this year, twenties and was an avid photographer. The there is so much going on here at the park. And, fact that few knew this fact set me on a mission though we can not lead you on hikes to the summit or to answer the question: If no one has thought to out to the ancient redwood tree or take you through ask this question before, what else do we not know about Charmian Kittredge London? the historic gardens at the cottage; all of that is here for you to explore on your own. I first encountered Jack and Charmian when I Continued on page 6 was in the 6th grade on a field trip at Jack Continued on page 6 “Dig is a wonderful thing, and will move more mountains than faith ever dreamed of.” - Jack London, 1899

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MY FAVORITE...

any Bay Area residents are staying closer to place to Socially Distance at JLSHP home this summer and are visiting Jack Lon- M For me, JLP is a magical place. In the morning I ride my e- don State Historic Park for the first time. So many of bike down Warm Springs Road, take a right at Glen Ellen these new visitors are discovering the magic of na- Star, and ride up the very steep London Ranch Road into ture and the Park’s rich historic treasures that are the JLP. From there I ride past the Winery Ruins, the Pig Palace makings of cherished new memories with family. To- and on to the Lake, and then I hop off and chain my bike to gether, they are enjoying the park on horseback, bicy- the old horse post. From there I start my cles and pairs of old hiking boots that have been hid- hike. I take the Mountain trail up to ing in the back of the closet. Mays Clearing and on to either The Or- chard or the Summit. Both trails are Our staff and volunteers are delighted to see and equally stunning. meet new visitors and provide information and sug- Sandy Leonard, JLPP Board Member gestions of the many things to do here. But most of all, we are doing all we can to ensure that everyone who visits the Park is safe. So, what are we doing to One of my favorite places for it’s peaceful, calming effect is accomplish that? Everyone who enters the park is to be surrounded by redwoods. For that reason, I love to go reminded by a staff person or volunteer to have their down to the Wolf House. face-coverings and masks with them and to be sure While the trees had been cut down dur- to don them when they encounter other visitors out ing the building of the Wolf House to pro- in the park when safe-distancing is not possible. We vide a better view, in the last 100 years they have grown back to be a also have set up a plexiglass safety barrier at the ki- lovely, shady haven. It is a peaceful place osk and implemented a limited contact system for and I love to watching and listening to payment. the birds and squirrels as they play among the limbs of the trees. Plus, in hot Our restroom facilities are disinfected frequently, and weather, it has the added benefit of be- we have covered our drinking fountains to reduce the ing much cooler in the redwoods’ shade. spread of the virus. And, for now, our museum and Michelle Dowdall, Park Aide historic cottage remain closed. However, when we can safely open, we have plans and measures in place My favorite place in the park is just about any of the many to accommodate visitors in the safest possible man- shady trails at 8 in the morning during the week because ner. hardly anyone is there at that time. I like steep, long trails to keep me in shape for backpacking so if I had to pick one Lastly, on behalf of our entire staff, volunteers and trail, it would be Coon Trap Trail, over to Sonoma Ridge JLPP board of directors, thank Trail and down Mountain Trail for a total of 9.7 miles. I hike you for supporting our efforts with three friends, Ninnie, Gene and Barry, and believe it or and for doing your part by not, we wear our masks wearing masks and being re- even when hiking. spectful of others. You are helping us to stay open and accessible to all. Inga Aksamit , Matt Leffert, Executive Director Volunteer

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WILDLIFE CAMERAS AT JACK LONDON PARK

s you are hiking the trails of Jack London State Historic Park A you may notice a few motion activated wildlife cameras set up throughout the backcountry. These cameras are part of a part- nership between Jack London Park Partners, California State Parks and Audubon Canyon Ranch to help support the research being done by Audubon Canyon Ranch Living with Lions project led by Dr. Quinton Martins. Dr. Martins is leading a team of conservation scientists and educators, local veterinarians, geneticists, and a growing cadre of volunteers, to better understand our area’s apex predators and “identify priority habitats and key wildlife corridors and to promote ecosystem conservation throughout our region”. These cameras help to supply data to his research. As an added bonus, we here at the park get a firsthand look at the incredible biodiversity Sonoma Mountain has to offer. Since the cameras were initially set up at the park earlier this year they have photo- graphed everything from deer, turkey, skunk, possum, rabbits, coyote, bobcats, a black bear, and yes, mountain lions! As the pro- gram continues we look forward to sharing more of these photos with you. For more information about Audubon Canyon Ranch’s incredible research project visit www.egret.org/living-with-lions.

BECAUSE OF YOU

The “Because of You” article in our newsletter typically features a donor who has made a particularly generous gift to the Park or helped to support the launch of a new park improvement or program. This edition of the newsletter finds us anything but typical. Jack London Park Partners, like a lot of nonprofits, has suffered significant losses in revenue because of park closures, the canceled “Broadway Under the Stars” season, loss of special event income, and suspended park programming. Our financial outlook was looking dire. We would not have been able to continue to operate, quite literally, if our members, supporters and community had not come through. Because of you, everyone, we are here and fully staffed and able to care for our beloved Park and keep our gates open to all. This is especially meaningful now when we need our parks and open spaces the most. Thank you!

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EXPERIENCE JACK LONDON PARK 2020

For this year’s urgent, all-important fund-raising event for the Park, we are excited to offer “Experience Jack London Park 2020” highlighting the unique assets of Jack’s Beauty Ranch on Sonoma Mountain. These five experiences are staged here, in the open air, with a panorama unmatched in our valley. Your outdoor personal adventure for 8-10 guests (your friends and family) will be meticulously catered, with premier wines and delightful live music in a one of a kind venue at a mutually agreed upon date when you feel safe and comfortable. Personal, private, peaceful and safe. These one of a kind curated events allow you, your family and friends to relive the joy Jack and Charmian knew, here at their beloved Beauty Ranch. Continue this tradition, here with us this year. Join us and sponsor or take part in this adventure and support this beautiful resource. Click the link below to learn more about “Experience the Park 2020” and our call for Sponsorship. Sponsors will be listed on our “flyover video” launching on August 21st, our artfully designed invitation, on the beautiful website featuring the experiences, and in all “Experience Jack London Park 2020” publications. Experience Jack London Park 2020 information

A different perspective of Beauty Ranch

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EDUCATION CORNER

s we wait to hear about the fate of school field trips this fall, the education department is preparing A to build on our distance learning modules by including more video tours for school groups. Already in our library is a 20 minute school tour video on Beauty Ranch and Jack London’s sustainable farming efforts. In August, we will film a school tour video for the Wolf House and Museum. All school tours are written with the Common Core and Next Generation Science standards in mind. We look forward to the day when our trails are once again filled with the happy sounds of curious school chil- dren, until then, we will continue to reach out and connect with our community through the safer platforms of media and the written word. Watch Here.

TAKE 5 WITH JACK—VIDEO SERIES ON YOUTUBE

The viewing audience for our Nature and Wellness video series called Take 5 with Jack has been steadily growing. With 12 episodes under our belt we have been able to share a number of beautiful locations around the park with folks from around the world; including the Historic Orchard, Ancient Redwood, London’s Lake, the Wolf House, House of Happy Walls, the Cottage garden, and many more. Viewers have chimed in from places both near and far, we even just received an encouraging comment from a subscriber in Latvia! Though the pandemic has provided us with many challenges and obstacles, this video project has been a fun and creative solution in helping us to connect more people to the peace and beauty of the park at a time when we all need the healing power of Nature the most.

 Our latest episode “Enjoying Nature with Children” takes us out on the trails as we explore fun trail activities that you can use to help share your special connection to Nature with the young children in your life. Click here to Check out our YouTube Channel & Subscribe!

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LIVE LIKE A LONDON—CONTINUED continued from page 1 London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California. It was the first time I had encountered a “real” writer. One whose life I could see and touch through artifacts and in some ways, that encounter gave me license to become a writer myself. It was, of course, Jack London who I fell in love with: his mind like a jar full of bees, the perfect lines of his muscled body. But what I didn’t realize at the time was that I had also encountered another writer on that day: one that few people know much about. One that would haunt me until I could tell her full story, recreated from the artifacts of her life. For the past six years I have been researching and writing the first full length biography on Charmian Kittredge London: Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adven- turer (https://oupress.com/books/15901268/charmian-kittredge-london) which will finally be available this September. Doing the hard work of restoring the truth about a woman’s life has been one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I mean, if we all started asking questions like the one I asked about that photograph, think of all of the stories we would discover!

Iris Jamahl Dunkle is a professor at Napa Valley College and the author of five books in- cluding the biography: Charmian Kittredge London: Trailblazer, Author, Adventurer.

NEWS FROM THE PARK—CONTINUED

Continued from page 1 If it has been a while since you have been to the Park, now is the time to come back and explore. Find a trail you have never been on before or pop in to the Pig Palace that you have walked by so many times and never ventured in. There is so much to do and explore here at the Park. We are here seven days a week to welcome you. Thank you so much for supporting and loving Jack London State Historic Park.

Deer Camp

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT—TODD BOARD

have been volunteering for nearly seven years at JLSHP, providing 1730 hours of service in kiosk, park/ I trail maintenance, and orchard rehab roles. I particularly enjoy the mix of volunteer activities, and back- grounds and perspectives of my fellow volunteers and workmates. I find rehabilitating and conserving the historic orchard uniquely rewarding, because it offers a chance for creative experi- mentation, and for forging a personal connection between past, present, and po- tential. It also offers opportunity to ponder intelligence decidedly different from the human kind. Previously, I spent 30 years in global research and analytics, mostly in the technolo- gy world (where I fulfilled life’s quota for road-warrioring, sophistry, and Power- Point), after concluding that being a starving (musician/writer) artist would not age well. Today I particularly appreciate the“ direct experience” aspect of park/trails and orchard work – Nature is too wily and wise to ever be fully understood, and gleefully resistant to human persuasion. I live in Kenwood with my wife Kathy, serve on a couple of nonprofit boards, engage in community and environmental Todd Board, volunteer advocacy, and get outside (with mask!) as much as possible.

MEMBER CORNER STAFF NEWS

The Park’s trails and open spaces After 8 years as JLSHP’s Community Engagement remain open and Manager, and many more as a Park volunteer, it’s a perfect place Deborah Large has announced her retirement. to get some social Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and love of the distancing. Park will be missed by visitors, staff and volun- teers. Deborah always brought Consider becoming her vast knowledge of photog- a Jack London State raphy, web development and Historic Park mem- local flora to Jack London Park. ber today to re- We wish her all the best in her ceive an annual park pass that is valid at both future adventures! JLSHP and Sugarloaf Ridge State Park and a 20% discount on retail purchases. Member- ships are available annually, or you can now Newsletter Contributors: Inga Aksamit, Todd Board, opt to automatically renew your membership Kylee Cronin, Michelle Dowdall, Iris Jahmal Dunkle, each year through our website. Kristina Ellis, Kristi Lanusse, Matt Leffert, Sandy Leon- ard, Eric Metz, Susan St. Marie Memberships can be purchased at Historic images courtesy of The Huntington Library jacklondonpark.com

Jack London State Historic Park | jacklondonpark.com 8 JLSHP ONLINE BOOKSHOP IS OPEN JACK LONDON REFLECTIONS

by Michael Sheffield

Sonoma Mountain Jack’s dream becomes the Beauty Ranch

up on the ridge a horse’s lowered head a rider’s long gaze

“That sink is a beautiful color.” golden summer Charmian and Jack I hear it every day as people wander through with family and friends Charmian’s kitchen in The House of Happy Walls. The sink is a unique jade color and set in contrast pig palace with the cream-colored walls it has an art deco blue tail flies flare for the dramatic. and flipping tails I worked with Sunset Hill Stoneware to bring Charmian’s sense of style to our bookshop through purple grapes a jade mug with its own flare for the dramatic. waiting for the crush Each mug is a perfect color match to Charmian’s waiting for the barrel sink and each mug is handcrafted in the United States, making it Jack-approved as well. weeks - months – years the cottage fills The sink may have to stay behind in The House of with manuscripts Happy Walls but you can take a piece of The House of Happy Walls home with you to your sink. Heartbreak Kylee, Retail & Visitor Services Manager unimaginable Wolf House in flames Click here to visit Jack’s Shop

silent ruins… spider silk drifting in sunlight

Ashes beneath a red boulder all that’s left of Jack

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Contributors March—June 2020 Thanks to all of our generous supporters

Oona Achard Arden Bucklin and Karl Sporer Diana and Peter Ferris Diana Adair Wanda Burzycki Terry and Joyce Flynn Ken and Karen Adelson Karen and Lee Bushnell Ned Forrest and Leslie Whitelaw Antonia Adezio Lori Carstens Linda Fraley

Sue Aiken Diane Caruana Michael and Jette Franks Franklin Albro Stephanie Chapralis Dick and Stephanie Fredericks Stephanie Anderson Pugash Katie Christ Deborah Gagnebin George and Ann Arabian Becky Christian Pam and Fred Gilberd Valerie and Stephen Arelt Bonnie Clark Michael and Rosie Gogna Beverly Ashe William and Sara Clegg David and Cathy Good

Dean Atchison Paul Clenahan Sara Green Valerie Bader Dion Coakley Katie and Blake Griffin Jerry Bagger Richard Crippen Jeffrey and Debbie Gualco Terri Baker Charles Crow John and Phyllis Gurney Cheralyn Barr Donna Crowley Joann Gutierrez Robert Barron John and Maria Cunningham Karin Guzman

Joseph B. and Diane Benziger Sharon Dankworth Leigh Hall Mike and Mary Benziger Sally and Albert Davies Maud Hallin Richard Bernal Andrea Davis Donna Halow and Paul Luca Jack Bertges Lynne Deegan-McGraw Mary Beth Halsey Denice Bickert Sophie and Bill Dickinson Kimberly and Robert Hansen Eugene Birger Karla DiGrazia Karen Harrison Hugh and Judy Black John and Sara Donnelly Charles Haseltine

Bill Blosser and Dorinda Parker June and Scott Douglas Philip Hawkins and Ronnie Kirchner- Hawkins Todd Board Jeffrey Dreyer and Marsha K. Copeland Roger and Kay Rose Heigel Joe Bowen Barrie Eddy Marlene Hesketh Sue Breedlove Kathleen Eschleman Philippa Heyer Leanna Breese and Alec Vance Robert Etheredge Kathe and Fred Hodgson Gerry and Bill Brinton Whitney and Jeanette Evans Jane and Tom Holt Elizabeth Brunner Winnie and Robert Farwell Larry Houghton

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Contributors, Continued Thanks to all of our generous supporters

Brian Huckins Sandy and Geoff Leonard Mary Nauer Victoria Hunt Chuck Levine and Elisa Stancil Monica and Roger Nelson Albert Iapicca Marcia and Jim Levy Karin Niehoff Impact 100 Tony and Nancy Lilly Eric Norrbom

Carl Inglin Jim and Sharon Lynch Susan and Gary Novak Sarah Irwin Clark Lystra Gale O'Brien Jay Bachman Reed Maidenberg Pamella Olson and Donald Ryndak Jim and Rosemary Jepson Paula Marks Mary and John O'Mara Brian Johnson Hank Martinson Richard Otter Douglas Johnston Mary's Pizza Shack Diane Parish and Paul Gelburd

Malcolm Jones George and Marie McKinney David and Christiane Parker Michael Keenly Kevin McNeeley Tom Peterson Georgiana Kepner Mac and Leslie McQuown Valerie Pistole and Jeff Walter James Kerry Thomas Menzies and Elizabeth Karrer Willa Price Mundell Jody Davies and Doug McAdam Jane Merryman Raymond Rapp Joann Keyston Christine and Ron Mickelsen Elizabeth Ravenscroft

Alex Koleszar Buffington Miller– Clay Foundation Marion Reynolds West Catherine Krell Karin Ricker Joyce Miller Melinda and Rob Kruvant Isabel Rienecker Joan and Jim Minton Beth and Edward LaFrance Gaius Robinson Gerald Missey Adrien Lanusse and Ken Cerniglia Henry Rogers Jeff Montague Emily Lanusse Toby and Sally Rosenblatt Elizabeth Montgomery William Larsen Rotary Club of Glen Ellen Cindy and Rick Moore Lynn and Meg Larson Ellen Rufe Katherine Morgan and Charles Lou Leal George and Jane Rush Desmarais Dinah Lee Kathleen Scavone Alida Morzenti Katherine Lee Jean Schulz Kathleen Mugele Miriam Leffert Judith Scotchmoor and Roland Janet Mumford Gangloff Bernard and Elizabeth Lefson Leo and Tinker Murphy Harvey and Deborah Shein Isabel Leonard Amanda and Philip Brumme Stephen and Betty Sherer Jordan Leonard Jack London State Historic Park | jacklondonpark.com 11

Contributors, Continued Thanks to all of our generous supporters

William and Judith Shilstone James Taylor Isabel Wade and Jan Chernoff Dana Simpson - Stokes and Ken Jane Taylor Sally Ward Stokes Jim Taylor Mary Washburn Elaine and Graham Smith Lisa Taylor Lucy Weiger and Robert Crane Robert N Smith Joe and Eileen Tenn Nafija Weston Kathleen Soto Addie Thorsson Ann Winblad Scott Standridge Marjorie Tibbs Terrance and Diana Witzel Richard and Laura Stanfield Tom and Ruth Tjerandsen Jennifer Wood Clarice Stasz Suzanne Torgeson Nadine and Norman Yenni Kat Stephens Miles and Merredith Treaster Linda Yokoshima Dave and Vicki Stollmeyer Cailin Tucker Jason Young Elizabeth Stone Beth Tudor Juan Zambrano John and Pam Story Tim van Oppen Frank and Janet Zona Linda Stuckey Tjiska Van Wyk Paul Sweeny John Vermeulen

Photo by: James Hinchman, JLSHP Ranch Foreman Find Jack London State Historic Park on:

Jack London State Historic Park | jacklondonpark.com