Season of Joy. . . and Thanks

Posted
Filed under Fall

Before you hit the trail, check out the Hikers Gallery at the kiosk for gratitude quotes from Overlook Trail Hikers.

“What a way to top off a great trip to Sonoma, 25th anniversary!” 

“Being in the moment with family & friends is pure love. Nature is a part of our soul.”

“What you see is what you get. And what you get is awesome.”

“My husband and I both survived traumatic health issues. Coming to the lookout is the best way for

us to celebrate and conquer.”

You, Overlook Hikers, have been writing in the Hikers Notebooks for nearly 20 years! Go to our past blogs for more Gratitude quotes that Roy has posted from the Hikers Notebooks. 

And while you are at the top, write YOUR thoughts in the notebook. . . .It’s on the stone bench at the top of the trail.

And So it Begins…

Posted
Filed under Invasive Species, Italian Thistle, Plant Life, Seasons, Stewardship, Winter

IMG-1011Today I realized that the invasive species removal season had started — earlier than it ever has during my tenure. The earliest I had started removing Italian thistle from the Sonoma Overlook and Montini Preserve properties had been in December. But now, with our early rains this season, the thistle has already started coming in (see pic).  This essentially cuts my “down time” from four months to three, meaning the thistle removal season is going to be nine months long this year. Ouch!

One nice thing, though, is that I will have a three-week “vacation” in May, when I put in on the Colorado River rowing an 18-foot raft for 17 days. Since I just recently got off a 19-day trip doing the same thing, call me one lucky guy!

But mostly I’ll be out there, day in and day out, pulling these plants so that we can eventually eradicate them, as we almost have with the Yellow starthistle.

At Last

Congratulations Roy Tennant

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Filed under Events, Stewardship

During a packed outdoor event at Hanna Boys Center on Oct. 10, the Sonoma Valley Fund recognized dozens of volunteers for their contributions to local charities. Sonoma Overlook Trail Steward Roy Tennant was honored as A Star Volunteer.

For over 10 years, Roy Tennant has spent thousands of hours fervently tending the Overlook Trail, the Montini Open Space Preserve, and Sugarloaf Ridge Regional Park. He regularly posts blogs and keeps us all current on the seasonal changes on the Overlook trail and other goings on.

To read more go to

https://www.sonomanews.com/article/lifestyle/honoring-the-star-volunteers-of-the-valley/

The Sonoma Valley Stars for 2021, at Hanna Boys Center on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021. (Photo: Melania Mahoney)

Dia de los Muertos ~ Day of the Dead

Posted
Filed under Events, Fall, Hiking, History, Mountain Cemetery

Walk Sonoma History through Sonoma Mountain Cemetery

Saturday, October 30
Times: 10:00 OR 12:30
Suggested Donation: $35.00

dayofdeadTHIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT!
Please join us next year….
The Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards are thrilled to invite you once again to a lively, informative tour through our historic cemetery with our own amateur historian Fred Allebach!

Each year (except 2020) Fred has led this walking tour where we meet cowboys and Indians, ranchers and real estate tycoons, farmers and farriers, carpenters and stone masons, quarry-men, grocers, butchers, bakers, maybe a candlestick maker, and many more!

Fred will host 2 walking tours, one at 10:00am and another at 12:30. Both will be limited to 25 guests. We will be observing current Covid-19 protocols so please bring your mask.