Travelodge San Francisco Bay Novato

Set fire to something

by jessicadf

Preferably a barbecue... and be careful in the Summer when the hills are dry and ready to combust. If you come to town, I'll see if we can get my uncle Jon to "burn some bird" for you. He makes the best barbecue of anyone I know. Mmmm, mmm, mmm!

The pony's friend...

by jessicadf

Living in the paddock with the pony is this little donkey. Or is it a mule? I never can remember. Let's call it a burro and split the difference? Regardless, it's very laid back, with a sweet disposition.

OLOMPALI STATE PARK

by JeanCooke

Home of the Miwok Indians for 6,000 years. Volunteers, including descendants of Miwok's, helped recreate part of a Miwok Village. Just .4 mile from Ranger quarters.

Seven hundred acres and eight thousand years of history, Olompali State Park is a treasure to history buffs, hikers and horse riders. The park overlooks the Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay from the east-facing slopes of 1,558 foot Mount Burdell.

Please visit my TRAVALOGUE for another part of history.

The Coast MIWOKS

by JeanCooke

The Coast Miwok inhabited at least one site within the present-day park continuously from 6,000 BC until the early 1850s. Olompali in their language means “southern village” or “southern people. They prospered with the areas abundant resources, the bay being where Highway 101 is now. Miwoks are considered among the finest artisans of the Pacific Coast tribes.

Located .4 mile up the Loop Trail is a simulated Miwok village built by volunteers and Miwok descendants. Visitors to the park can see three kotchas (houses), two made from redwood bark and another made with bundles of native tule reeds.

Trying out the teepee shaped redwood bark dwellings for size, less than 50 square feet, I wondered how Marin and Sonoma County residents came to believe that 2-4,000 square feet of living space for one family is “necessary”. The lodge made of redwood bark is more spacious for more families but hardly bigger than my living room. The squat tule reed dome shaped dwelling necessitates crawling in and out with no standing room. The center of each dwelling is taken up with a circular stone fire pit.

"RESEVOIR and DAM"

Water made green with duck weed.

The Loop Trail's dirt road follows a stone lined creek to a dam reservoir all built by Chinese laborers. The dam captured underground spring runoff conducted through miles of lead pipes to water Burdell Mansion’s rock gardens, lily ponds and fountain in their heyday. Pipe remnants can be seen along the trail.