One of our favorite local hikes is at Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, CA. The Valley of the Moon Natural History Association has done a wonderful job preserving the history of Jack London’s ranch. Very well maintained trails, museum, a vineyard, and several entertainment events draw one in over and over.
As I have noted before, we tend to get lost on trails. Reading of maps is not really our thing. We just get out with a general idea of what we think we will see and enjoy the hike. Isn’t that what it is all about? Thankfully my navigator and partner in crime has a keen sense of direction and we have made it back to or starting point each time.
If you get lost here, there’s tons to see and learn about. Where Jack London lived, swam, watched the sun set, farmed and where he is buried. We hiked out to see the grandmother redwood tree. Gorgeous. We got lost around the lake and found spots of such beauty we could understand why he lived there. I get to imagine what it would have been like almost 100 years ago since most of it has been preserved so well.
Fortunately the times we have visited to listen to groovy music with several others we haven’t gotten lost. I love being able to sit on a hot summer’s eve in Jack’s eucalyptus experiment see sweeping views of the hillside and vineyard and listen to music while enjoying our picnic and Sonoma wine. The people watching here is as wonderful as other venues around the area. Someday we will be brave enough to get up and just dance our hearts out and groove to the beat of the music!
Check out Bay Area Hiker’s page to see trail description and optional trail routes. Or check out the Jack London State Historic website for more info.