Members of the CA-NV Chapter of the Oregon-California Trails Association are organizing a cleanup party to remove trash that has been dumped in and near the Swales.  Sponsors supporting this important event are the Fernley Department of Parks & Recreation,  the Bureau of Land Management,  the Fernley Preservation Society,  Waste Management,  the Leader-Courier,   the Truck Inn,   the Fernley Chamber of Commerce and Arnold's Wrecking Yard.  

WE ARE INVITING YOU TO HELP OUT!

DATE:  Saturday, October 6, 2007: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

DIRECTIONS:  Travel east of Reno, Nevada on I-80 toward Fernley. Take the Exit 48 off-ramp.  Make a left turn and go under I-80. Continue straight (north) along the East side of the Truck Inn.  We will meet along the dirt road behind and to the right of the Truck Inn, where the pavement ends.

WHAT TO WEAR:  Wear a hat and layered clothing. The temperature will be anywhere from cool to very hot. Boots are recommended. This is a work party, so don't bring your best clothes.

WHAT TO BRING:  Heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands.  A stout, small to midsize cardboard box for glass shards. A few heavy duty, tough plastic trash bags.  

FOOD, DRINK AND MISCELLANEOUS:  Bring your lunch , snacks, drinks, and plenty of water. Soft drinks or a thermos with your favorite coffee or hot chocolate may be a good idea.  Also consider sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen.

SAFETY:  Rattlesnakes and scorpions may be a potential problem. Always watch where you step and be very careful when you pick up boards, flat items, or just about anything.  You might want to turn over these types of items with a stick before you pick them up.  Watch where you place your hands.  Wear heavy duty work gloves.  Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. 

BENEFITS:  At the end of the day you will feel good about returning these Historic Sand Swales closer to their original state and will have made some good friends.  You will experience a nice sense of accomplishment and community pride!

CONTACT:  Should you have any questions, please feel free to phone Tom Fee at (775) 827-3724  or email  TomFee3@aol.com

Members of the CA-NV Chapter of OCTA,  the BLM, and the Fernley Truck Inn are organizing a cleanup party to remove trash that has been dumped in and near the Swales.  WE ARE INVITING YOU TO HELP OUT.

DATE:  Saturday, October 7, 2006: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

DIRECTIONS:  Travel east of Reno, Nevada on I-80 toward Fernley. Take the Exit 48 off-ramp.  Make a left turn and go under I-80. Continue straight (north) along the East side of the Truck Inn.  We will meet along the dirt road behind and to the right of the Truck Inn, where the pavement ends.

WHAT TO WEAR:  Wear a hat and layered clothing. The temperature will be anywhere from cool to very hot. Boots are recommended. This is a work party, so don't bring your best clothes.

WHAT TO BRING:  Heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands.  A stout, small to midsize cardboard box for glass shards. A few heavy duty, tough plastic trash bags.  

FOOD, DRINK AND MISCELLANEOUS:  Bring your lunch for Saturday, snacks, drinks, and plenty of water. Soft drinks or a large thermos with your favorite coffee or hot chocolate may be a good idea.  Also consider sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen.

SAFETY:  Rattlesnakes and scorpions may be a potential problem. Always watch where you step and be very careful when you pick up boards, flat items, or just about anything.  You might want to turn over these types of items with a stick before you pick them up.  Watch where you place your hands.

BENEFITS:  At the end of the day you will feel good about returning these Historic Sand Swales closer to their original state and will have made some good friends.  You will experience a nice sense of accomplishment!

CONTACT:  Should you have any questions, please feel free to phone Tom Fee at (775) 827-3724  or email  TomFee3@aol.com.  

Travis Boley
OCTA Headquarters

• Peter Lassen and His Trail
  from the OCTA-sponsored Yahoo overlandtrails Discussion List
• Raft River Parting of the Ways

The John Marsh Historical Trust is devoted to preserving Marsh's "Stone House" near Brentwood and promoting the contributions of John Marsh to California history. Among these were his constant encouragement of immigration to California. The result of his efforts was the Bidwell-Bartleson Party of 1841, which ended its journey at Marsh's rancho.

The Marsh house is now part of a budding state park and the Trust plans a number of public events during the next year to build recognition of the site (and Marsh) and to raise money toward the restoration of the home. One recent thought is the reenactment of the arrival of the Bidwell party at Marsh's home in 1841. Since I am both a trustee and a member of OCTA, they have asked me to see if OCTA would be interested in presenting a reenactment at one of these affairs?

Anyone interested please contact Bob Shellenberger

And from Steve Knight:

I grew up near the Marsh home and have toured it. It is a shame how much it had decayed over the last 20 years. I hope we can save it before it falls to the ground entirely. For those who have not seen it, the entire end wall has fallen away, and cows were allowed to graze around and in the house for years. It was an imposing historical structure and can be saved.

I would like to see any chapter members or the chapter get involved with saving this structure. -- Steve Knight

• Three new photo stories:
• the October 6-7, 2005 Trails Preservation Workshop
• the October 14th State Library Special Collections Tour; and
• the October 15th Membership Meeting in Sacramento

Fernley Swales Photo Story

See Tom Fee's article on the history of the Fernley Deep Sand Swales Cleanup Projects plus a photo story on this year's outing on October 1st.

NEW CHAPTER PRESIDENT ELECTED

The CA/NV Board of Directors has elected Steve Knight as President and Carol March as Recording Secretary.

Steve was Vice President under Bill Webster and a Board member up to August 2004 at which time his second term expired. At the request of the Board an opening was made by the voluntary resignation of Patty Knight from the Board so that her husband Steve could be appointed and with his consent elected to the presidency. Steve brings to the Board and the Chapter an outstanding set of qualifications and experience that will serve us with distinction.

Carol is a former Board member and Chapter Treasurer and a source of invaluable support during my term as President.

As outgoing Chapter President I would like to express my appreciation to the Board of Directors with whom I have served and the Chapter officers and committee members who have done such an excellent job in managing the affairs of the Chapter. We are indeed fortunate to have in our Chapter many wonderful people who have generously given their time and talent to our organization.

Thank you all very much.

Jim Allison

Jim Allison Loomis, CA jim4allison@yahoo.com

Fall 2005 issue of Trail Talk online

The Fall 2005 issue of Trail Talk is now online in text-searchable PDF format.

New OCTA Membership Processing Procedures
to be discussed at October 15th Meeting

CA-NV Chapter board director and membership co-ordinator Patty Knight is concerned about the new OCTA Membership Processing Procedures. Starting next month the national OCTA organization plans to start collecting local chapter dues along with the national dues.

Read Patty's comments here along with Travis Boley's message about these new procedures.

And come to the October 15th meeting in Sacramento to express your views on this subject and any other subject you think is vital to the future of this chapter. See announcements below for more on this special October 15th meeting.

REMINDER - OCTOBER 15th MEETING

Dear California/Nevada Chapter Members of the Oregon-California Trails Association,

Remember the early years when our CA/NV Chapter held Membership Meetings with a great deal of discussion and member input and interaction?

Then you will want to attend our Chapter Fall Membership Meeting where we will focus on the Compendium re Future Directions of the Chapter. This is an exciting and special one-day event to be held at the beautiful downtown Holiday Inn, Sacramento, California, scheduled for Saturday, October 15.

This will be a power packed day full of ideas/goals/possibilities for our chapter and the future of California and Nevada historic trails. Your ideas are vital if our organization is to continue to complete our mission.

We welcome fresh ideas from the membership on what is needed to move ahead!

For those of you who would like to explore historic Sacramento on Sunday, we will have information and maps available for you to explore the California State Railroad Museum, the Discovery Museum History Center, the Wells Fargo History Museum, the California History Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion State Park, and Sutter's Fort, to name a few places.

We sent out registration information and forms to our 423 CA-NV members by US mail on September 1. Thus far, we have received 36 registrations for this extremely important meeting. We would like to receive yours!

Registration is only $10.00 and that includes your lunch.

If you have misplaced your registration material or did not receive it, please contact Registrar Patty Knight at Post Office Box 1277, Carson City, Nevada 89702-1277 or email her at knightpa@att.net

You may also contact CO-Chairs Tom Fee at (775) 827-3724 TomFee3@aol.com or Kathy Lewin (916) 481-6527 KTLinSR@aol.com

Deadline is October 1, 2005.

BLM Site Stewardship Training

Hi All,

I contacted most of you a month or two ago concerning site stewardship training in the Reno area. A number of you were interested, but the announcement was too short and no one was able to attend. Another session has been scheduled for October 22, 2005 at the North West Library, 2325 Robb Drive, Reno, from 12:30-5:00 p.m. I'm hoping that with a months notice, interested folks will be able to schedule and attend. Contact Ernie Winter at wintertimeproduction@msn.com or (775) 847-0760 for more information or to register.

Please feel free to contact me for additional information and to forward this message to anyone else you think might be interested.

Thanks,

Dave
David_Valentine@nv.blm.gov

SACRAMENTO FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Oct. 15

SACRAMENTO FALL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Remember the early years when our CA-NV Chapter held Membership Meetings with a great deal of discussion and member input and interaction? Plan on attending our Fall Membership Meeting where we will focus on the Compendium re Future Directions of the Chapter. This is an exciting and special one day event to be held at the beautiful downtown Holiday Inn scheduled for Saturday, October 15.

This will be a power packed day full of ideas/goals/ possibilities for our chapter and the future of California and Nevada Historic Trails. Leadership is vital if our organization is to continue. We need fresh ideas from the membership on what is needed to move ahead!

In addition to our exploring ideas on Saturday, an exciting optional event is scheduled for Friday evening. We have arranged for a tour of the Western Overland Tours Collection at the California State Library. This will be limited to the first 25 people who send in their registration form and check their desire to attend.

For those of you who would like to explore Sacramento on Sunday, we will have information and maps for you to explore the California State Railroad Museum, the Discovery Museum History Center, the Wells Fargo History Museum, the California History Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, the State Capitol, the Governor's Mansion State Park, and Sutter's Fort!

We will be sending out more particulars, registration information and forms to our CA-NV members by US Mail on or near September 1. There will be a special e-News announcement sent via email to OCTA members in the California-Nevada area who have not, as yet, joined the chapter.

Tom Fee
(775) 827.3724
TomFee3@aol.com

Kathy Lewin
(916) 481.6527
KTLinSR@aol.com

CA-NV CHAPTER PRESERVATION WORKSHOP

October 6 & 7

CA-NV CHAPTER PRESERVATION WORKSHOP

The OCTA Preservation Training team, along with Don Buck, will be presenting a trails Mapping and Preservation Workshop at Boomtown, Nevada on October 6 & 7. Interested persons should contact Leslie Fryman at Leslie_Fryman@comcast.net.

Travel expenses (lodging/meals/mileage) will be reimbursed for all attending chapter members. Workshop limit 30.

Thursday indoors at Boomtown. Friday on the Truckee Trail. Perfect prelude to Tom Dougherty's Truckee Trail Tour that weekend!

Leslie Fryman
Leslie_Fryman@comcast.net

FERNLEY DEEP SAND SWALES CLEANUP PROJECT

The Deep Sand Swales immediately north of Fernley, Nevada (and a few yards south of the Central Pacific Railroad Bed) is the ONLY example of Deep Sand Swales on the entire California Trail! No Deep Sand Swales exist on the Oregon Trail.

Fernley Community Leaders, the BLM and members of the CA-NV Chapter of OCTA are organizing a cleanup party to remove trash that has been dumped in and near the Swales. WE ARE INVITING YOU TO HELP OUT.

DATE: Saturday, October 1, 2005: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

DIRECTIONS: Travel east of Reno, Nevada on I-80 toward Fernley. Take the Exit 48 off-ramp. Make a left turn and go under I-80. Continue straight (north) along the East side of the Truck Inn. We will meet along the dirt road behind and to the right of the Truck Inn, where the pavement ends.

WHAT TO WEAR: Wear a hat and layered clothing. The temperature will be anywhere from cool to very hot. Boots are recommended. This is a work party, so don't bring your best clothes.

WHAT TO BRING: Heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands. A stout, midsize cardboard box for glass shards. A few heavy duty, tough plastic trash bags (although the BLM will supply some). A shovel and a rake (although you may or may not need them).

FOOD, DRINK AND MISCELLANEOUS: Bring your lunch for Saturday, snacks, drinks, and plenty of water. Soft drinks or a large thermos with your favorite coffee or hot chocolate may be a good idea. Also consider sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen.

SAFETY: Rattlesnakes and scorpions may be a potential problem. Always watch where you step and be very careful when you pick up boards, flat items, or just about anything. You might want to turn over these types of items with a stick before you pick them up. Watch where you place your hands.

BENEFITS: At the end of the day you will feel good about returning these Historic Sand Swales closer to their original state and will have made some good friends. You will experience a nice sense of accomplishment!

CONTACT: Should you have any questions, please feel free to phone or email the following people: Karen Kersh (775) 575-4800 Karen@truckinn.com or Tom Fee at (775) 827-3724 TomFee3@aol.com.

Roy Acker died on August 19th

We are sad to announce the death of Roy Acker on August 19. Roy spent his career as a design engineer in the spacecraft industry and was a key contributor to the design of the Minuteman missile, Atlas missile, Apollo lunar module, and the Pioneer spacecraft. As a fourth-generation Californian, he had a keen interest in California history. Roy researched, wrote and self-published a book on Summit City of the High Sierra. He also enjoyed his computer, golfing, and flying his Comanche aircraft.

He is survived by wife Ruby Acker and three daughters: Cheryl Kabloona, Janet Palmer, and Marilyn Acker and six grandchildren. To contact the family, email daughter Cheryl Kabloona at Cherylkb@shaw.ca.

A Splendid Convention in Salt Lake City!

See our Salt Lake City Convention 2005 page

Stories!!
Photos!!
Minutes!!
and More!!

COMPENDIUM REGARDING FUTURE DIRECTIONS

In preparation for our General Membership Meeting on October 15, please click on http://canvocta.org/compendium.pdf or
http://canvocta.org/compendium.rtf and review the Compendium.

You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader freeware to view the PDF file. If you don't have Acrobat Reader on your computer just click on the icon above to download the latest version from Adobe's website.

The RTF file is for those who may want to load the file into their favorite word processor such as Microsoft Word.

Admission Day Celebration

from Mary Ann Tortorich:

Dear OCTA Members, I know this is a really long. It contains a four page news release on the Admissions Day Celebration sponsored by the California State Parks. But I would hate for you to miss any of the events if you are in the area. Should you want to be a volunteer or have a group that might want to participate, call Mary Helmich, Interpretation & Education Division, California State Parks, phone 916.653.3913. Or contact me as I am helping Mary with this great project. MAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 26, 2005

EUREKA! ADMISSION DAY WEEKEND

Celebrate California’s heritage with a free weekend festival, the public grand opening of the Leland Stanford Mansion, the unveiling of redesigned California State Railroad Museum exhibit galleries and free admission to Sacramento’s State Museums and Historic Sites

Friday, September 9 – Saturday, September 10 – Sunday, September 11, 2005

WHAT: With the public grand opening of the renovated Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park and completion of the newest exhibits at the California State Railroad Museum, California State Parks has reason to celebrate. The public is invited to a free festival—Eureka! Admission Day Weekend September 9, 10, & 11, 2005 in downtown Sacramento.

Join California State Parks, the California State Parks Foundation and the Leland Stanford Mansion Foundation at the unveiling of the restored Leland Stanford Mansion. Once the office of three governors—Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low and Henry Haight—the imposing structure was acquired by California State Parks in 1978. As a part of the “Eureka! Admission Day Weekend,” the public is invited to experience the splendor of this historic jewel for free, all weekend.

Originally built in 1856 by Gold Rush merchant Shelton Fogus, it was later purchased and remodeled (twice!) by former Governor Leland Stanford. The Mansion’s grand opening commemorates a 14-year, $20 million renovation partnership between California State Parks and the Leland Stanford Mansion Foundation. Coinciding with the celebration of California’s admission as the 31st state in the Union on September 9, 1850, this festival honors both the magnificent Leland Stanford Mansion and the many historic sites and museums maintained and operated in Sacramento by California State Parks.

All of California State Parks historic sites and museums in Sacramento’s central city—the California State Railroad Museum, Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park, Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, and the California State Indian Museum—are open FREE all three days. In addition, a large outdoor festival area will be located adjacent to the Leland Stanford Mansion. Here, California’s heritage will come alive all three days through an array of hands-on activities, demonstrations, living history, storytelling, exhibits and more! The California Museum for History, Women & the Arts joins the celebration with FREE admission, inviting visitors to view one of the original, surviving printed copies of the Declaration of Independence and California’s historic 1849 Constitution. On Friday, an Admission Day Parade will kickoff the event.

Eureka! Admission Day Weekend events include:

¨ ADMISSION DAY FESTIVAL AREA

What: Outdoor Festival Adjacent to the Leland Stanford Mansion, 8th & O Streets
¨ Experience the Cold Springs gold camp, where Leland Stanford set up his first business in California; try your hand at bowling; talk with miners and merchants
¨ Meet governors from California’s past, including Stanford and Frederick Low, plus contemporaries such as John Muir
¨ Celebrate California’s cultural diversity through a variety of live performances, music, and foods
¨ Play 19th century children’s games
¨ Listen to music performed by The Amazing Harmonatras, Gordy Ohliger—the Banjo-ologist, Hawks and Eagles, and the El Dorado Brass Band ¨ Enjoy a parade of period fashions related to the house and its history
¨ Take a ride on a scale model steam train or a horse-drawn vehicle, and marvel at the full-sized steam locomotive, “J.W. Bowker”
¨ Learn about the historic Underground Railroad, find out how archeologists work, or see an array of 19th century bicycles—all these and more will be among the many exhibits on display

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 8th & O Streets (immediately west of Mansion) and surrounding areas Sacramento

Cost: Free; there will be a charge for horse-drawn vehicle rides

¨ LELAND STANFORD MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK

What: Public Grand Opening and Free Tours of Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
¨ Tour the splendor and elegance of the restored 19,000-square-foot Leland Stanford Mansion
¨ Highlights include: ceilings that soar up to 20 feet in height, gilded mirrors and moldings, beautifully restored woodwork, elegant 19th century crystal and bronze light fixtures, historic paintings, newly-re-created carpeting, and original period furnishings
¨ Enjoy an exhibit of awe-inspiring paintings highlighting California’s natural grandeur on loan from the Irvine Museum
¨ See the original Gold and Silver Spikes used to complete the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah in 1869

Grounds & Gardens
¨ Take a guided tour of the newly installed, period-style gardens
¨ Enjoy performances and melodies reflective of Leland Stanford’s era
¨ See a parade of period fashions representative of the occupants of the mansion.

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
800 N Street (at corner of 8th and N Streets)
Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ CALIFORNIA STATE RAILROAD MUSEUM

What: Grand Opening of Redesigned Galleries, Free Admission and Activities at the California State Railroad Museum
¨ Be among the first to see new exhibits and redesigned galleries that highlight the human face of railroading
¨ Bring your family’s railroad heritage treasures and meet with the Museum’s curators to share their history
¨ Experience demonstrations of railroad equipment at work

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 111 “I” Street Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITOL MUSEUM

What: Free Tours of the California State Capitol Museum
¨ See the home of the California Legislature since 1869—beginning in the 1970s, the elegant Capitol building underwent a major renovation that restored much of its original appearance.
¨ Tour the restored historic offices of the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Governor of the State of California.
¨ Enjoy trees from around the world throughout the surrounding, 40-acre Capitol Park
¨ Friday only, enjoy cake and ice cream in celebration of California’s birthday

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Cake and Ice Cream on Friday, September 9 at the conclusion of the Admission Day Parade at Noon

Where: 10th and ‘L” Streets Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ SUTTER’S FORT STATE HISTORIC PARK

What: Free Admission to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
¨ Come experience 1846 living history activities on Saturday
¨ Learn more about Leland Stanford’s involvement in the restoration of the fort

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 2701 “L” Street Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ CALIFORNIA STATE INDIAN MUSEUM

What: Free Admission to the California State Indian Museum
¨ View exhibits on the more than 150 distinctive tribal groups who have made California home.
¨ Enjoy basketry, beadwork, clothing and exhibits about the ongoing traditions of various California Native American groups.
¨ See
a display about Ishi, last of the Yahi Indians of California

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 26th and “K” Streets (adjacent to Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park) Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ GOVERNOR’S MANSION STATE HISTORIC PARK

What: Free Tours of Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
¨ Tour this 1877 Second Empire-Italianate mansion built by Stanford associate Albert Gallatin
¨ Hear stories about the thirteen of California’s governors and their families, who lived here from 1903 to 1967

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 1526 “H” Street Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ CALIFORNIA MUSEUM FOR HISTORY, WOMEN & THE ARTS

What: Free Admission to California Museum for History, Women & The Arts
¨ See an original copy of U.S. Declaration of Independence
¨ View California’s 1849 Constitution
¨ Visit a special exhibit on California’s Remarkable Women
¨ Learn more about California Governor Edmund G. “Pat” Brown
¨ Enjoy political cartoonists and their works on California politics

When: September 9, 10 and 11, 2005 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Where: 1020 “O” Street Sacramento

Cost: Free

¨ ADMISSION DAY PARADE

What: Period-style Admission Day Parade—no motorized vehicles, featuring
¨ “Lady Liberty”
¨ Horse-drawn carriages and stagecoaches
¨ Historic high wheel bicycles
¨ Suffragettes
¨ Musical bands
¨ Period military units
¨ A giant Bear Flag carried by the Native Sons of the Golden West

When: September 9, 2005 11 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Along N Street, between Crocker Park, 3rd and N Streets, and the State Capitol, 10th and N Streets
Sacramento

Cost: Free

Eureka! California Admission Day is presented by California State Parks and California State Parks Foundation

PUBLIC INFO: Please visit www.stanfordmansion.org and www.calfiorniastaterailroadmuseum.org for a complete list of activities.

About Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
Located at 800 N Street in Sacramento, California, the Victorian-era Leland Stanford Mansion opens to the public on September 9, 10 and 11 with free tours and a festival. It serves as the State’s official address for diplomatic and business receptions as well as offering public tours as a California State Historic Park. Built between 1856 and 1872, the four-story, 19,000 square foot Mansion has special historical and architectural significance. It served as the office of three governors during California’s early years: Leland Stanford, Fredrick Low and Henry Haight. It was also the site of California’s first presidential visit by Rutherford B. Hayes and General Sherman in 1880. The mansion was acquired by California State Parks in 1978. For additional information about the Stanford Mansion, please visit www.stanfordmansion.org.

About “Eureka! California Admission Day Weekend”
“Eureka! Admission Day Weekend” celebrates California’s rich heritage on the 155th anniversary of California Statehood, September 9, 10th and 11th, 2005. To celebrate this and the historic opening of the newly restored Leland Stanford Mansion and the installation of new exhibits at the California State Railroad Museum, California State Parks will be inviting the public to experience a weekend of fun and festivities in downtown Sacramento, September 9-11, 2005. There will be free public tours of the Leland Stanford Mansion and the special railroad workers exhibition at the California State Railroad Museum, an Admission Day Parade, an outdoor festival, and free admission to the downtown Sacramento’s state museums and historic sites. For more information and a complete list of activities, please visit www.stanfordmansion.org and www.calfiorniastaterailroadmuseum.org.

For images, interviews or further information, please contact the following:
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park and the Eureka! Admission Day Festival:
Calla Devlin, 415-561-0888 ext. 2316 or calla@landispr.com OR Erin Couch, 415-561-0888 ext. 2317 or erin@landispr.com

California State Railroad Museum:
Traci Rockefeller Cusack, 916-960-5340 or trock@precisionpublicrelations.com OR Paul Hammond, 916-445-1705 or phammond@parks.ca.gov

California State Capitol, Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, California State Indian Museum, Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park, California Museum for History Women and the Arts
John Segale, 916-960-5340 or jsegale@precisionpublicrelations.com OR Paul Hammond, 916-445-1705 or phammond@parks.ca.gov

Spring and July 2005 issues of Trail Talk now online

The Spring 2005 and July 2005 issues of Trail Talk are now online - both in Adobe pdf format. The Spring 2005 issue is about 6 MB in size and will take a long time to download if you don't have a high-speed Internet connection. The special July issue, however, is only two pages and can be easily downloaded.

Photo Story of June 2005 Black Rock Outing

See Steve Knight's exciting story about what transpired at the June 2005 Black Rock archaeological outing with Don Buck and Dave Valentine of the BLM

Earth Guardian Exhibit of historic Black Rock trails at Burning Man

CALLING OUT TO ALL WESTERN DECORATORS AND REENACTORS

We received this announcement from Frederick J. Osterhagen along with his personal message:

Hi All -

So far, committed to participating in the reenactment are: Dave Mensing, Chuck Dodd, Tom Doherty and his wife, Terry del Bene, Jeffery Cool and his wife, Jessica Rubado, Dave Vixie, Alison Portello, and Mike Bilbo.

Many theme camps set up an internet forum for discussions and interaction of their camp participants. If somebody would be willing and able, having such a forum set up for the Emigrant Camp could be quite useful for coordination, sharing ideas, tasks, roles, etc.

Thanks.

Frederick ----------------------------------------------------

Over the past several years, the Earth Guardian volunteer group, who's main focus is teaching Leave No Trace techniques to Burning Man participants, has been working cooperatively with BLM and the Friends of Nevada Wilderness to do outreach at the Burning Man event on the Black Rock, High Rock NCA. Burning Man is considered to be the largest and most successful LNT event in the nation. This year's exhibit, which is located at the Earth Guardian camp, will focus on the local historic trails in the Black Rock Desert NCA area – the Applegate/Lassen Trail (part of the California Trail) and the Nobel’s Trail Cutoff. The proposal is to utilize living history presenters and period exhibits/props along with interpretive panels to educate and inform visitors about the history and significance of the National Historic Trails in the region and build awareness of the National Historic Trails Program. The exhibit structure would include 1850’s -60’s period tents turned into a realistic emigrant camp with 1st person interpreters staffing the exhibit.

We are looking for folks to help participate in several ways. First, we are looking for additional speakers for the stage in the Earth Guardian pavilion and participants to help staff the exhibit in one of the tents. We are also looking for help with period decorations for the larger pavilion/stage/bar area. Lastly, we are hoping that participants will attend the events we already have planned for Thursday and Friday during the Burning Man event. Hope to see you there.

If you are interested in participating with the Emigrant Camp and camping with us during the event, please let me know at karina@burningman.com ASAP. Space is limited we'd need to make sure that we have space for you. Even if you don't want to camp, let us know if you'd like to particpate and be included in future emails as more specific events are planned. Please note that you will need a ticket to attend Burning Man. If you haven't been to the Burning Man event before, please review the Burning Man web site before purchasing your ticket. www.burningman.com. There are no rules about how one must behave or express oneself at this event (save the rules that serve to protect the health, safety, and experience of the community at large); rather, it is up to each participant to decide how they will contribute and what they will give to this community, thus the term radical _expression seems appropriate.The site http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/ gives more background. If you have any specific questions about the Earth Guardian group or the Emigrant Camp, please feel free to email me at karina@burningman.com or check out our web site at: http://earthguardians.burningman.com/playa.html.

thanks, Karina, Project Manager for Burning Man Earth Guardians

Scheduled Events On Thursday, September 1 -10:00 am till noon.- at the1849 Black Rock Emigrant Camp, Earth Guardians Pavilion – Meet the Emigrants: Stories of the Trail - Bring your kids for a fun filled adventure at the Black Rock Emigrant Camp. Your kids will interact with 1849 Emigrants as they share stories about life along the Historic Applegate Trail which went by Black Rock just north of the Burning Man site. The camp is a re-creation of an 1849 emigrant encampment set up just like it would have been when pioneers passed here over 150 years ago. Hear from the actual emigrants as they read from their journals and diaries about their real life experiences along the trail. Meet at the Nevada Outdoor School Kids Camp at 9:30am.

On Friday, September 2 – 5:00pm till 8:00pm – 1849 Black Rock Emigrant Camp, Earth Guardians Pavilion – Life on the Trail: An Evening with the Emigrants - Food, Music, and Stories - Come join us at the 1849 Black Rock Emigrant Camp and enjoy a taste of life on the Historic Applegate Trail which went by Black Rock just north of the Burning Man site. Listen to real life stories about life on the trail, interact with the 1849 Emigrants, taste the food the emigrants would have eaten along the trail, listen to their music. Dress in period clothing, bring your cups and spoons, join the musicians with your guitars, fiddles, harmonicas, and banjos and prepare to go back to a time.

Photo Story of Genoa Symposium

The CA/NV Chapter's annual Spring Symposium was held in Genoa on the weekend of April 22-24, 2005. See Photo Story.

See the Spring 2005 issue of Trail Talk for more details.

Come to the Genoa Symposium on April 22-24, 2005

The Genoa Symposium Registration Kit (Adobe PDF format) contains registration info, agenda, motel info and maps.
More details on the symposium can be found here.
See also the Fall 2004 and Winter 2005 issues of Trail Talk.

Archival Event at Sutter's Fort on April 2, 2005

We hope to get word to OCTA members about our Archival Event on April 2 , 6pm to 9pm. The pre-purchased tickets will be $15.00 and are limited. There will be refreshments, period music and displays throughout the fort of documents and artifacts from the fort's archivals. The handwritten draft of California's declaration of independance by W. Ide, Sutter's brand book, a Bidwell ledger (fort transactions of 1846 & Bidwell's personal entries from his ranch in the late 50s) plus Donner party items, P.B. Reading's shirt and more.

- message from Frank and Mary Ann Tortorich

George T Watkins III

To: Trails West and OCTA Members,

Our good friend and trail historian George Watkins passed away today in Dillion, MT. He always lived life to the fullest. He was a charter member of OCTA and a member of Trails West. He was always fun to travel with either on the trail or just exploring the West. I will always remember his stories especially the historical trivia items which made his version of western history fun.

Dick Hallford

PS Please pass the word to other folks who knew George.

email message received from Mary Ann Tortorich

2005 Symposium in Genoa, NV

The Spring 2005 CA-NV Chapter Symposium will be held on April 22-24th in Genoa, NV.

See the Fall 2004 issue of Trail Talk for more details. Additional information including registration form will be published in the February 2005 issue of Trail Talk.

Bill Webster is Dead

Bill Webster, former president of the CA-NV Chapter of OCTA, died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday morning, November 14th, at his home. His burial took place in Bakersfield on November 18th. Bill and his wife Beverly had just returned from a ten-day trip to England seeking out World War II spots. He said it was the most wonderful trip he had ever had. Bill and Beverly celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary on the trip.

FERNLEY DEEP SAND SWALES CLEANUP PROJECT

The Deep Sand Swales immediately north of Fernley, Nevada (and a few yards south of the Central Pacific Railroad Bed) is the ONLY example of Deep Sand Swales on the entire California Trail! No Deep Sand Swales exist on the Oregon Trail.

Fernley Community Leaders, the BLM and members of the CA-NV Chapter of OCTA are organizing a cleanup party to remove trash that has been dumped in and near the Swales. We are inviting you to help out!

DATE: Saturday, November 20, 2004: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

DIRECTIONS: Travel east of Reno, Nevada on I-80 toward Fernley. Take the Exit 48 off-ramp. Make a left turn and go under I-80. Continue straight (north) along the East side of the Truck Inn. We will meet along the dirt road behind and to the right of the Truck Inn, where the pavement ends.

WHAT TO WEAR: Wear a hat and layered clothing. The temperature will be anywhere from cool to very cold. Boots are recommended, as are a sweater and cold winter coat. A warm scarf. Warm socks. This is a work party, so don't bring your best clothes.

WHAT TO BRING: Heavy duty work gloves to protect your hands. You might also bring warm winter gloves in case you need them. A stout, midsize cardboard box for glass shards. A few heavy duty, tough plastic trash bags (although the BLM will supply some). A shovel and a rake (although you may or may not need them).

FOOD, DRINK AND MISCELLANEOUS: Bring your lunch for Saturday, snacks, drinks, and plenty of water. A large thermos with your favorite coffee or hot chocolate may be a good idea. Also consider sunglasses, lip balm and sunscreen.

SAFETY: Rattlesnakes and scorpions will probably not be a problem in late November. Always watch where you step and be very careful when you pick up boards, flat items, or just about anything. You might want to turn over these types of items with a stick before you pick them up. Watch where you place your hands.

BENEFITS: I probably went overboard with the safety issues above. We have done these cleanups three or four times and had no problems or injuries. At the end of the day you will feel good about returning these Historic Sand Swales closer to their original state and will have made some good friends. You will experience a nice sense of accomplishment!

CONTACT: Should you have any questions, please feel free to phone Tom Fee at (775) 827-3724 or email me at TomFee3@aol.com

Next Board Meeting on October 23rd

The next meeting of the CA-NV Chapter Board Meeting will be on October 23rd at the Governor's Inn in Sacramento at 9:00am. The Governor's Inn is at 210 Richards Blvd., off I-5 just north of downtown Sacramento.

TENTATIVE AGENDA:

Approval of last meeting's Minutes
Reports of Officers
Reports of Committees
Old Business:
Board of Directors election, the Spring Symposium, the compendium on future directions, and electing new officers.
Next Meeting
Adjournment
-Jim Allison

Vancouver Convention Photos

Barlow Road Bus Tour Photos

Lewis and Clark on the Columbia Bus Tour Photos

More Photos by Mary Mueller

Replicated 1846 Wagon at Sutter's Fort

Frank and Mary Ann Tortorich have supplied the text and photos for the story of the replicated 1846 wagon that was recently brought to Sutter's Fort in Sacramento. Frank's inservice training on July 10th at 10:00am for docents is open to the public.He will also be around from 2:00 to 4:30 in the afternoon for interpretation.

Photo Story of Lemoore Symposium

The CA/NV Chapter's annual Spring Symposium was held in Lemoore on the weekend of March 19-21, 2004. See Photo Story.

See the Spring 2004 issue of Trail Talk for more details.

Spring issue of Trail Talk online

The Spring 2004 issue of Trail Talk is now online in text-searchable PDF format.

You will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader freeware to view the file. If you don't have Acrobat Reader on your computer just click on the icon above to download the latest version from Adobe's website.

APPLEGATE TRAIL GUIDE AVAILABLE

Trails West, Inc. is pleased to announce the long awaited Applegate Trail Guide is now available! Please go to the new Trails West Applegate website at www.applegatetrail.org to review samples of this wonderful guide. Click on SITE MAP. Then click on THE APPLEGATE TRAIL GUIDE. After clicking on HERE you can view the Table of Contents and then follow the links to seven sample pages, including Trail History, Marker Information, Trail Description, a sample map, Historical Commentary, and Tale of the Trail.

You can then click a link to the Guides Order Form. You may order just the Applegate Guide for $29.95 or you can save some money by ordering a set of the California and Applegate Guides. Mark each Guide on the order form and put $50.00 for the total.

You may order this guide directly from Trails West, Inc. by sending a check for $29.95 for one guide or $50 for the set to: Trails West, Inc. P.O. Box 12045, Reno, Nevada 89510. Specify which Guide you wish to purchase: California Trail, Applegate Trail, or the Set. These are high quality books with an amazing amount of information. You will be proud to have them in your collection!

(message from Tom Fee who belongs to both Trails West and OCTA)

Black Rock Desert / High Rock Canyon Info

People planning trips to the Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon can now easily find the latest information about what is happening out there, on the Internet, at www.BlackRockHighRockInfo.net.

Having information about events happening out there is something that all of us users have needed for a long time. It is finally happening! Now, with the information the site provides, we can schedule our trips out there to avoid conflict with other activities.

Note that, although this site is not a BLM site, the BLM is cooperating with the Black Rock/High Rock Information Network that maintains the site by providing the latest information on what is happening in Black Rock Desert and High Rock Canyon area. Send your words of appreciation for that cooperation to Joey Carmosino, with a copy to Dave Cooper.

Check out the site and pass this around, please.

Thanks
Chuck Dodd

OCTA Collection at CA State Library

OCTA's Western Overland Trails Collection opened on January 22, 2004 at the California State Library in Sacramento. See Photo Story.

See the Winter 2004 issue of Trail Talk for more details.

2004 Spring Symposium in Lemoore

Here is the Tentative Schedule for the 2004 Spring Symposium which will be held in Lemoore, CA on Friday, March 19th through Sunday, March 21, 2004.

For more info see the November 2003 issue of Trail Talk.

Photos of 2003 Kansas Convention

For those of you who didn't get to the Little Apple this year, here are some photos (by Carol March and Shann Rupp) of the 2003 Kansas Convention.

Enjoyable Symposium in Eureka

Mark Wilson gave a colorful talk on John Charles Fremont at the Eureka Spring Symposium. See the April issue of Trail Talk for more details.

A message from our President

I received this message from Dean Decker, Archaeologist for the Folsom Office of BLM. I think that it would be of interest to OCTA members, although it isn't exactly emigrant trail specific, it is a premier vehicle for historic preservation and there may be opportunities for partnership with OCTA on trail preservation issues. I am a CASSP volunteer and one of the sites I monitor is Mule Springs, a historically significant site on the California Trail just out of Dutch Flat.
Thanks,
Jim Allison

Looking for old Henness Pass maps

Ed Hodges is looking for some old maps of the Henness Pass / Dog Valley wagon road. Here's his complete message.

Eureka Symposium this April

This Year's Spring Symposium is in Eureka in April.More details in the January 2003 issue of Trail Talk . Also in this issue: David Palmer reports on the Fernley Swales Monitoring Project and Chuck Dodd writes about Good Trail Research.

2002 National Convention

The CA-NV Chapter hosted a very successful annual OCTA Convention in Reno on August 14 - 18, 2002. Take a look at some Reno Convention Photos by Mary Mueller, Shann Rupp and others.

WHITHER OR WITHER OCTA?

Tom Hunt ponders over the future of our organization in the July 2002 issue of Trail Talk . Also in this issue: Shann Rupp examines what diarists had to say about the Carson River Route; Chuck Dodd talks about the business part of the Reno Convention; and Chapter president Bill Webster delivers his final President's Message.

WANTED

from the last couple of issues of Trail Talk: A volunteer is needed to help Mary Mueller develop the Trail Talk calendar for outings, tours, and activities in 2003. We need fresh ideas and suggestions from the members or requests for a favorite activity you have missed.
Contact Mary at (408) 268-7389
email: mary_mueller@sbcglobal.net
or mail to: 1112 Silver Oak Ct.
San Jose. CA 95120

OCTA's Trail Research and Preservation Program Attacked

Bill Webster looks at the charges made by Gregory Franzwa in his Folio newsletter. You will find this article and much more in the April 2002 issue of Trail Talk.

Deaths and Graves on the Applegate-Lassen Trail

Read Milt Otto's entire article -- from the July, October (2001) and January (2002) issues of Trail Talk - now all together on one page.

California Trail Signs on I-80

We have been getting inquiries about all of those California Trail signs along Highway 80 in Nevada. Here's the scoop:

You can thank Paul Sawyer of Elko, NV for all of those signs. Long-time OCTA members will remember Paul as co-chairman along with his sidekick Bob Pierce of the very successful OCTA national convention that was held in Elko in 1996.

Paul is also on the advisory board for the National California Trails Historic Interpretive Center in Elko. And all of those signs are a prelude to the Interpretive Center, which will open its doors either in 2005 or 2006.

The signs are meant to draw people to wayside exhibits and to the Interpretive Center. The Interpretive Center, in return, will direct visitors to the signs and wayside exhibits.

The project began a few years with Paul asking OCTA trail experts Don Buck and Don Wiggins for some maps of the various trails across Nevada. Paul then turned over the maps to the Nevada State Department of Transportation (NDOT) who put up the signs. There are now about 100 signs on both the east and west directions of Interstate-80 at 20-mile intervals. There are also some signs on Highway 50 pointing out the Pony Express route nearby.

The Interpretive Center will be located close to I-80 near the Hunter Interchange at the junction of the California Trail and the Hasting's Cutoff - about 10 miles southwest of town. There are plans to erect 26 more signs along county roads that parallel or bisect either the main California Trail or the Hasting's Cutoff.

Paul delivered a slide presentation to the local government officials and The City of Elko came up with two million dollars to get this project going. Elko County added another million and the state of Nevada pitched in a matching fund of three million. The federal government has promised to throw in a total of 12 million dollars. "The money has been a little slow since 9-11," says Paul. "But it's still coming in."

The Bidwell-Bartleson party of 1841 blazed the main California Trail from Fort Hall down the Raft River to the Humboldt near Wells and then followed the Humboldt to its sink. Travelers along the Hasting's Cutoff trudged across the Salt Lake Desert and veered around the Ruby Mountains before joining up with the California Trail where the South Fork of the Humboldt meets the main river.

The Nevada State highway department produces an official state highway map every two years. The latest edition will be out next month. The major pioneer routes and trails will be depicted on this new map.

Plans for an audiocassette that will complement the highway signs will come later on in the project.

Paul would love to see OCTA members come back to another convention in Elko after the Interpretive Center opens. He will probably be in his 90s by then but that shouldn't slow him down at all!

The bill that authorizes the Interpretive Center is S.2249. It became Public Law No. 106-577 when President Clinton signed it on 12/28/2000. The bill can be read on this government website. The Elko Rose Garden website has some nice photos of the present kiosk on the Hunter Overpass plus some existing signs put up by E Clampus Vitus and Trails West. For still more information, take a look at Don Buck's article called "Interpretive Center at Elko, Nevada" in the April 2001 issue of Trail Talk. There's another brief update on the project in the January 2002 issue of Trail Talk. --jd

2002 Winter Symposium

This year's OCTA CA-NV Chapter Winter Symposium was held in Placerville on Saturday, January 19, 2002 and Sunday, January 20, 2002. See the January 2002 issue of Trail Talk for more details.

2000 and 2001 Events

• WALKER RIVER/SONORA PASS Shann Rupp and Curtis Grant cover the two days of the August 4th-5th Walker River / Sonora Pass outing.

• APPLEGATE / SOUTHERN ROUTE Several CA-NV members joined the NW chapter on the Applegate / Southern Route on June 11th. See Gail Carbiener's story on the NW OCTA website.

• FERNLEY SWALES Shann Rupp's photo story of the May 4th through 6th Fernley / Reno outing.

• TEMECULA SYMPOSIUM The 2001 annual symposium was held in Temecula on March 9th -11th.

• NANCY ALLEN GRAVE MARKING Tom Hunt led the last outing of 2000.

FORGOTTEN JOURNEY

See John Krizek's website on the Stephens-Townsend-Murphy Party saga at http://www.thecaliforniatrail.com . His video, entitled The Forgotten Journey, has been making the rounds on local PBS stations. The website includes maps of the 1844 pioneer trek over the Sierras as well as photos of some of the members of the party. There's even a short video clip preview of John's documentary.

Temecula Symposium a smashing success!
See Temecula Weekend for more details.

Symposium attendees walk along Southern Emigrant Trail and Butterfield Stage Route in Box Canyon
photo courtesy Shann Rupp