Day of the Dead Cemetery Tour

Posted November 11, 2017

Filed under Events, Fall, Fundraising, History, Mountain Cemetery, Stewardship

45 people came to walk through Mountain Cemetery and hear amateur historian, Fred Allebach tell stories about past Sonomans that now inhabit the cemetery. Not only were the curious hikers entertained with stories about well known pioneers such as Samuel Sebastiani, Mariano Vallejo, and William Montini, they also were introduced to lesser known real estate tycoons, butchers, and even murderers.

Grateful dead folktales were told and Sonoma’s rich history came alive. The funds from this years tour will be used to repair the damage from fire fighting actitivies. If you missed this event and would like to take a self guided tour of the cemetery, pick up the Mountain Cemetery Walking Tour brochure at the Overlook Trail Kiosk written by Fred Allebach and enter the Mountain Cemetery next to the kiosk.

Walk Sonoma History Through Sonoma Mountain Cemetery

Posted October 4, 2017

Filed under Events, Fall, Fundraising, Mountain Cemetery, Seasons, Stewardship

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS—DAY OF THE DEAD

WALK SONOMA HISTORY THROUGH SONOMA MOUNTAIN CEMETERY

Saturday November 4

Two Opportunities: 9:30 am OR 1:00 pm

The Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards invite you to take a lively, informative walk through our historic cemetery with amateur historian Fred Allebach.

Meet cowboys and Indians, ranchers and real estate tycoons, farmers and farriers, carpenters and stone masons, quarrymen, grocers, butchers, bakers, maybe a candlestick maker, and many more!

This fundraising event is limited to 20 participants. Your $35 donation includes the walking tour and small bites. . . complete with googly eyes.

All proceeds go to the Sonoma Overlook Trail Maintenance and Education programs. The Trail is solely supported by private donations. To reserve your spot, email Hope Nisson hopedn@sbcglobal.net. Indicate time preference.

Signs of Spring

Posted April 4, 2017

Filed under Flowers, Fundraising, Plant Life, Seasons, Spring, Stewardship, Trail Maintenance

Spring is definitely in full swing. Wildflowers such as lupine and California poppies are in profusion, as are the butterflies that frequent the also prevalent Blue dicks (like the Swallowtail pictured).

The trail is mostly no longer muddy (until the next rain, at least), so now is a great time to get out and enjoy the warmth and the wildlife. Just keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes, as they have already been sighted on the trail. Other wildlife to look for include squirrels, deer, lizards, and wide variety of birds, from Red-Tailed Hawks to Red-Shafted Flickers to Great Horned Owls (all of which have been sighted from the trails).

Another sign of spring is, well, a sign. We just replaced the sign at the top of the trail that describes a little of the history of the area and names some of the surrounding sights viewable from the upper meadow. On the Overlook Trail, costs such as these are borne by the volunteer Stewards of the Overlook Trail group, which
collaborates with the Sonoma Ecology Center that serves as our fiscal agent. But anything that costs money to maintain or upgrade the trail and property requires us to raise money through events, donations, etc. If you feel so moved, please click on our “Donate Now!” link in the righthand column.

In any case, enjoy all of the sights of spring and stay safe out there!

The Cemetery Tour, Back by Popular Demand

Posted November 4, 2015

Filed under Events, Fundraising, Mountain Cemetery, Stewardship

SONOMA MOUNTAIN CEMETERY WALK

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14th, 2015, 10 A.M. to 12:15

FUNDRAISER FOR THE SONOMA OVERLOOK TRAIL

Our tour of the Sonoma Cemetery on November 1 proved so popular that we have scheduled another one.

Amateur historian Fred Allebach will lead an informative walk of the Sonoma Mountain Cemetery introducing you to cowboys and Indians, ranchers and real estate tycoons, farmers and farriers, carpenters and stone masons, quarrymen, grocers, butchers, bakers, maybe a candlestick maker and many more!

This fundraising event is limited to 25 participants. The $30.00 donation is a non-refundable, tax-deductible donation that includes the Sonoma Overlook Trail, the walking tour, and a light snack.

In the event of rain, check your email the day of the event as the Tour will be conducted light rain or shine; heavy rain will reschedule the event to Saturday, 11/21 at 10.

Proceeds support the Sonoma Overlook Trail Maintenance and Education programs. The Trail is solely supported by private donations. The walk is sponsored by Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards. To reserve your spot, contact Laurie: mvrlsf@aol.com

Fundraiser for the Overlook Trail

Posted September 12, 2015

Filed under Fundraising, Stewardship

Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards Fundraiser

Haywood Ranch and Vineyard

Sunday September 27th, 2015 10AM – 1PM

We would love to see you all out to support the trail, enjoy a good walk, lunch and lovely people!

RSVP required Cost $35.00

Help us keep the Overlook Trail well maintained and lovely as ever by participating in a quintessential Sonoma event. Come walk with us through the Haywood vineyards with award winning winemaker Peter Haywood. We’ll meet at the ranch where the Haywoods live and work, walk through the vineyards, returning to the ranch for a simple lunch made with some locally grown ingredients. Haywood wine was the dream of noted winemaker Peter Haywood, one of the early developers of the zinfandel varietal in Sonoma Valley. Set in the midst of vineyards that are bursting with some of the most highly regarded wine grapes in the region; the site has a feeling of vigor and excitement generated by the forces of nature at work all around.

With over 180 secluded acres, 40 acres are devoted predominately to zinfandel grapes. We’ll have the opportunity to walk through the vines and pause by one of the two ponds to listen to the special stillness broken only by the chatter of birds. For those more ambitious hikers, we can continue our walk up the hillside, lined with boulders, and consider the feat of the hardy pioneers who quarried this stone to build the streets of San Francisco. Haywood produces 3 Los Chamizal Zinfandels: Los Chamizal, Rocky Terrace and Morning Sun.

RSVP To Laurie Friedeman to reserve your space – MVRLSF@aol.com

The Sonoma Overlook Trail is a non profit EIN # 94-313-6500. The trail is run and maintained by volunteers. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Sonoma Overlook Trail.

Thank you to Sonoma Market for their generous support!