Candid moments . . .

Like stepping back in time . . .
Young blacksmith preparing for
the day . . .

Volunteers are appreciated . . .

On Saturday, April 24, the GDPA Board of Directors, MGDSHP Staff, Gold Fields District Superintendent, and Marshall Gold Docents gathered for the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon held outdoors at the Coloma Country Inn. On what was probably the most beautiful Spring afternoon to date the gardens of the Inn came alive with many people who've made Marshall Gold their second home.

GDPA Board Member, Tal Jones, sat under the wisteria and played keyboard providing a nice mix of background music while the Native Sons prepared and served a terrific lunch. The Native Sons group are always so generous with their time and efforts, often providing free breakfast for docents and volunteers during Coloma Gold Rush Live. After lunch, Ranger Eric, who's been acting as the coordinator for the interpretive program in addition to his daily park duties, acknowledged everyone who made the afternoon possible and honored some of our extra-special volunteers. Read more by visiting the Gold Discovery Park Association website.

How time flies . . .

Well, I've spent a good portion of the past two weeks haunting the Park in anticipation of the poppies but it seems that the weather prevented a real show this year. Mt. Murphy is a beautiful green and there was a brief period when one could see subtle brush strokes of orange, but the grasses have now overpowered much of the color.  There are poppies beginning to bloom down in the park area, with lupine and other wildflowers along Mt. Murphy road.  The weather is predicted to be nice this weekend so my plan is to be in Coloma.  In the meantime, here is a lilac photo taken about two weeks ago. The best show of lilac are bordering the church parking lot on High Street - definitely worth the walk to be rewarded by this visual and fragrant treat!

The Door Knob . . . .

Ok, so Friday I arrived at Marshall Gold about mid-afternoon to see what I could see and get in some photo practice while the sun was still shining. My goal was to experiment with close-up photos for a class I'm taking online, while also getting some images for the GDPA Newsletter article on Spring in the Park. The lilac and morning glory blooms were abundant - as was the delightful breeze, which tried my patience in my attempts to capture an image of a perfectly still flower. After deciding this was going to be futile, I began to look for something solid to study close up and settled on a door knob at James Marshall's Cabin.
When I'm out and about in the Park I usually wear my docent badge and when visitors see it, it's an open invitation to ask questions about the gold rush and Coloma's history. So I'm about 15 minutes into concentrating on taking pictures of this door knob and look up to see a small family patiently observing me work. Dad apologized and said that they didn't want to startle me, and he then noticed that I'm a docent and asked if this was an important door knob. Immediately my mind starts to sift through what I remember from my docent training and I draw a blank about the historic significance of building hardware. So I tell him no, I just thought it was a really cool door knob. This family gathers around the door knob, study it, and agree that it's a really cool door knob. With big smiles they thank me and enthusiastically move on to study James Marshall's outhouse.
I have to say that these are the people moments I enjoy the most . . .

a quick note . . . .

Well, finally a weekend with good weather? Hard to tell, but I'm headed out the door to find as much Spring in the Park as possible! It's also Second Saturday, which means the docents will be there in period clothing and participating in any number of interpretive programs throughout the day. Stay tuned for an update on new and traditional events taking place this year . . . including a weekly Farmers Market at the Monroe Orchard . . . . .

Still Waiting for the Poppies . . .

I drove out to the park yesterday morning ever hopeful that the dark clouds on the horizon were somehow not hovering over Coloma, and thinking that maybe something new will have bloomed . . . . right. Still, it was a beautiful drive and today as I listen to the sudden, brief hail storm on my roof, I can be hopeful for sunshine by the weekend. Spring is about hope . . . right?  In the meantime, above is a photo of a daffodil in the garden of the Thomas House from a couple of weeks ago and leaves from last Fall to color things up a bit . . . .

Fall Leaves at the Coloma Country Inn 2009

Daffodil, Thomas House, March 2010

On the verge of Spring . . .

Word has it that the poppies are about to light up Mt. Murphy any day now.  Ranger Mark Michalski is keeping me posted and I can guarantee you that I'll be there at every possible minute (along with local photographers, I'm sure) to document and enjoy this sight.  Every year these blooms send a spash of color along the face of the mountain and the view from Marshall Gold is breathtaking! Check back for the Poppy Update . . . .

My River of Gold

by Kathleen Young

Deer emerging from under the Weller House

this past September

I've spent a lifetime visiting Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park (MGDSHP) in Coloma, California. When my wanderings brought me to live in El Dorado County ten years ago, the Park became a central location for my husband and me to hike, picnic, and bring visitors. It wasn't so much that I'd been particularly interested in the Gold Rush or California history. That came later. Coloma has always been for me one of those destinations that once I arrive it feels like home, a reason to smile, no worries . . . go figure. I'll look for any excuse to just be there.

I remember one day realizing that we spent most of our time at the Park during the off hours - typically after work - and that meant we weren't paying use fees. I felt badly about that, but not because I thought we were cheating . . . we weren't contributing. So I went over on a day off and had a conversation with one of the rangers and joined the Gold Discovery Park Association (GDPA). Now that was cool! Membership came with a parking pass for the year, discount at the Mercantile, and a newsletter. Hmmm . . . I wondered if they ever needed volunteers . . .

Well, in 2004, I was invited to enroll in docent training. That did it. Marshall Gold is now stuck with me. At docent graduation I felt like I'd been handed the keys to the kingdom, the ability explore, be creative, and contribute to the ongoing preservation of this little gem of a town . . . . and if my friends aren't careful they all get recruited at some point for a special event or program. My husband has learned to be knee-deep into a critical project at home or risk being sucked into the vortex of my "park projects" and ever-expanding closet of period clothing, accessories, books, and scripts. His preference is a brisk hike up Mt. Murphy to take in the view of the American River and the quieter side of Coloma.

Copyright © 2010 Gold Discovery Park Association. All Rights Reserved.

so why a blog?

Ok, that's what got me here . . .

 

Man Lee Store, November 2009

In docent training everyone is encouraged to consider participation in any number of programs - Saw Mill, Blacksmith, historic building interpretation, library and research, etc. My choice was the Cemetery Committee focusing on preservation, interpretation and awareness of the two historic cemeteries in Coloma - Pioneer Cemetery and St. John's Cemetery. We created a small performance group who research, script and perform vignettes about the lives of people buried there. We put out the flags and crosses for Memorial and Veterans Days, document the condition of the cemeteries, and advocate for their preservation. In addition to spending a great deal of time over the years photographing the condition of the cemeteries, I had been asked to work with another docent to photograph and catalog all the historic signage in the Park. This all led me to spend an increasing amount of time wandering throughout the park with my camera practicing what has become my newest passion - photography. When I'm out and about in the Park or cemeteries I have the opportunity to meet interesting people and experience mindful moments with the diverse inhabitants tucked away in the nooks and crannies of this beautiful little spot that for a few years, for better or for worse, was the center of the world. I'm hoping that sharing these stories will encourage people to come here for the first time, and interest those who have been here before in returning to be curious about what is still here to be discovered.

Until next time . . . . I hope see you around the Park!

Fall Reflections, James Marshall's Cabin, 2008