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