SECOND ANNUAL
CALIFORNIA DESERT HISTORY WEEKEND
February 14, 15, 16, 2020
All of these programs are now full - no new registrations accepted
Feb. 14, Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All Aboard the Butterfield Trail: The Life & Work of Artist Marjorie Reed
Speaker: Gary Fillmore, Author, Art Collector
In preparation for tomorrow’s trip exploring sights along the Butterfield Stage Route, Gary Fillmore shows the work of Artist Marjorie Reed and gives us a colorful portrait of the determined character and adventuresome personality of the woman who is best known for her paintings of the Butterfield-Overland Stage Trail. Better than any other western artist, Reed captured the romance and appeal of this rugged route, which carried mail and adventurous passengers from 1858 to 1861 from Missouri to California. NM$12, M$10, V$8. Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Sat., Feb. 15, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tour of Historical Butterfield Stagecoach Route & Ranchos in San Diego County Leaders: Urmi Ray & Sanjiv Nanda, Volunteers
Sun., Feb. 16, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Two Historic Hikes in Box Canyon Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Kathy Bussey
Hike #1: Hike the stagecoach route taken by Yuma-bound travelers.
Leader Sanjiv Nanda.
This hike will take you Southbound on the Wagon trail. The hike will start with a short stretch (1/2 mile round trip) on the Foot and Walker pass in Blair Valley, with optional hike up to the “overlook”. Afterwards, we will drive a short distance to start the hike to box canyon, traversing 200 years of history. We may even meet the North bound stagecoach passengers. This is a moderately easy hike. Total distance is 4 miles, relatively flat terrain. Bring snacks, lunch, plenty of water and dress warm in layers. Weather can be unpredictable. Carpool strongly encouraged. Meet at ABDNHA library
Hike #2: Hike the stagecoach route taken by San Francisco-bound travelers.
Leader Kathy Bussey.
An easy 3-mile round-trip hike, with an optional short steep climb to the roadside monument, Box Canyon is part of a historic land route through southern California, with a roadbed created by the Mormon Battalion in 1847. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool 40 min. to the trailhead with limited parking. Max. 20. Bring water, hat, hiking boots, snack. No charge; call to reserve.
Meet at the ABDNHA Library for both hikes. No charge but space limited and you must specify which hike you wish to be on. Call to reserve. You must select either Hike # 1 or Hike # 2 when you reserve.
CALIFORNIA DESERT HISTORY WEEKEND
February 14, 15, 16, 2020
All of these programs are now full - no new registrations accepted
Feb. 14, Fri., 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
All Aboard the Butterfield Trail: The Life & Work of Artist Marjorie Reed
Speaker: Gary Fillmore, Author, Art Collector
In preparation for tomorrow’s trip exploring sights along the Butterfield Stage Route, Gary Fillmore shows the work of Artist Marjorie Reed and gives us a colorful portrait of the determined character and adventuresome personality of the woman who is best known for her paintings of the Butterfield-Overland Stage Trail. Better than any other western artist, Reed captured the romance and appeal of this rugged route, which carried mail and adventurous passengers from 1858 to 1861 from Missouri to California. NM$12, M$10, V$8. Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, 760-767-3098.
Sat., Feb. 15, 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tour of Historical Butterfield Stagecoach Route & Ranchos in San Diego County Leaders: Urmi Ray & Sanjiv Nanda, Volunteers
This driving tour begins at the ABDNHA Library with an introductory
orientation program, followed by drives to some of the
quintessential stops on the historic San Antonio and San Diego Stage
Coach Route. We will have interpretive tours at the Vallecito
Stagecoach stop by County Park Rangers and volunteer archaeologist,
and a detailed historical tour of the beautifully refurbished
Warner-Carrillo Stage Stop at Warner Springs. On our return to
Borrego Springs, we have a break to freshen up before a taco dinner
reception at the ABDNHA gardens, with fireside chat and presentation
by Kathryn Fletcher, author of “Warner Hot Springs (Images of
America).” Carpool strongly encouraged. Bring warm clothes,
including layers, good walking shoes, water and packed lunch for a
picnic at Vallecito County Park. Have a full tank of gas. Meet at 8
a.m. at ABDNHA Library. Fee includes Saturday activities, entrance
fees, and the dinner reception including wine, beer, soft drinks and
water. NM $70, M$55, V$50 (non-refundable).To register:
www.abdnha.org, at Nature
Center, or 760-767-3098.
Feb. 15, Sat., 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Program: Postcards from Mecca
By Archeologist Ron May & Warner Graves III.
Susie Keef Smith was seeking escape from a troubled home life and the havoc of childhood polio when she took a job as postmaster in Mecca, on the edge of California's Salton Sea. She and her cousin Lula Mae Graves set out to photograph the last of the prospectors, burro packers and stage stops in the remote desert to the east. They traveled by burro, foot, and Ford though washes and canyons, armed with a .38 revolver and a large format camera. While making postcards for the Post Office spinner rack, the women were remade in the wilderness and wound up creating an unparalleled portrait of one of the lesser-known deserts in the West. Smith's photos were nearly lost when upon her death they were tossed out by an estate administrator. A savvy archaeologist jumped into a dumpster and rescued many of the photos in this book, Postcards From Mecca. Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or 760-767-3098. NM$12, M$10, V$8.
Feb. 15, Sat., 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Program: Postcards from Mecca
By Archeologist Ron May & Warner Graves III.
Susie Keef Smith was seeking escape from a troubled home life and the havoc of childhood polio when she took a job as postmaster in Mecca, on the edge of California's Salton Sea. She and her cousin Lula Mae Graves set out to photograph the last of the prospectors, burro packers and stage stops in the remote desert to the east. They traveled by burro, foot, and Ford though washes and canyons, armed with a .38 revolver and a large format camera. While making postcards for the Post Office spinner rack, the women were remade in the wilderness and wound up creating an unparalleled portrait of one of the lesser-known deserts in the West. Smith's photos were nearly lost when upon her death they were tossed out by an estate administrator. A savvy archaeologist jumped into a dumpster and rescued many of the photos in this book, Postcards From Mecca. Register: www.abdnha.org, Nature Center, or 760-767-3098. NM$12, M$10, V$8.
Sun., Feb. 16, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Two Historic Hikes in Box Canyon Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Kathy Bussey
Hike #1: Hike the stagecoach route taken by Yuma-bound travelers.
Leader Sanjiv Nanda.
This hike will take you Southbound on the Wagon trail. The hike will start with a short stretch (1/2 mile round trip) on the Foot and Walker pass in Blair Valley, with optional hike up to the “overlook”. Afterwards, we will drive a short distance to start the hike to box canyon, traversing 200 years of history. We may even meet the North bound stagecoach passengers. This is a moderately easy hike. Total distance is 4 miles, relatively flat terrain. Bring snacks, lunch, plenty of water and dress warm in layers. Weather can be unpredictable. Carpool strongly encouraged. Meet at ABDNHA library
Hike #2: Hike the stagecoach route taken by San Francisco-bound travelers.
Leader Kathy Bussey.
An easy 3-mile round-trip hike, with an optional short steep climb to the roadside monument, Box Canyon is part of a historic land route through southern California, with a roadbed created by the Mormon Battalion in 1847. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool 40 min. to the trailhead with limited parking. Max. 20. Bring water, hat, hiking boots, snack. No charge; call to reserve.
Meet at the ABDNHA Library for both hikes. No charge but space limited and you must specify which hike you wish to be on. Call to reserve. You must select either Hike # 1 or Hike # 2 when you reserve.