The docent-led hike we call The Adventurer includes a visit to the museum, Jack London's Grave Site, and the Wolf House ruin. The hike is approximately 2 hours in duration. The trail is mostly dirt, uneven in places, and includes some uphill portions. Part of the trail is in the shade, but much of the trail is in the open, exposing the hikers to the sun. During the hot summer months, an early start by 10 a.m. is recommended.
The docents will talk about the life and work of Jack London - the writer, the socialist, the farmer - and his travels and adventures. We will also talk about the natural environment of the park - the trees, flowers and animals.
The Museum, "House of Happy Walls"
The Museum was built by Charmian London in 1919 after Jack London's death in 1916. Charmian called it "The House with Happy Walls" and it was designed to be a museum as well as a home for Charmian. She lived in the house from 1934 until 1945. Today, it serves as a museum and a small gift shop.
The museum is a two-story building. Items on display a scale model of the Snark, a complete set of first-edition books by Jack London, Charmian's Steinway piano, many of the items Jack and Charmian brought back from their travels around the world, and several displays depicting the life and adventures of Jack London.
The Grave Site
One day, when Charmian and Jack were riding over their property, they came upon the grave site of two pioneer children - David and Lilly Greenlaw. David had died in 1876, the year Jack London was born. Jack was quite moved by the lonely place where the children were buried and he said to Charmian that he would like to be buried in this place if he should die before her. So when Jack died later, Charmian had his ashes placed under this large volcanic rock. When Charmian died, her ashes were placed next to Jack's under the same rock.
The "Wolf House"
Jack London wrote so many books about wolves and dogs that his friend George Sterling gave him the nickname "The Wolf". So when Jack started to build his dream house in 1911, it was only fitting that people would call it "The Wolf House". Jack and Charmian never got to live in their home because one hot summer night in August 1913, spontaneous combustion started a fire in the house. Nobody was living near the house so the fire was quite advanced before anyone became aware of it. The Londons were sleeping in the cottage about a half mile away and were awakened by a farm worker who saw the red glow in the sky. They got on their horses and rode to their beloved dream house. By the time they got there, the house was completely engulfed in flames and beyond saving. Although Jack vowed to rebuild the house, he did not live long enough to rebuild. Today, we have a beautiful ruin.
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