Mariano’s Crossing – Book Tour of Historic Sites
In cooperation with Loveland’s Historic Preservation Month, I will be leading a tour of sites described in my award-winning historical novel, Mariano’s Crossing on Sunday, May 17, 2015. The tour is sponsored by the Heart-J Center for Experiential Learning at Sylvan Dale Ranch.
The event will begin with brunch at Sylvan Dale, followed by a presentation and a walking tour of the ranch grounds, including Indian tipi rings and the remains of the original Alexander homestead dugout, which was exposed by the 2013 flood. We’ll end with beverages and snacks and a presentation on the history of Sylvan Dale and the great floods of 1976 and 2013. In between, the group will visit the site of the old Weldon School, the Medina Cemetery, Namaqua Park (Mariano’s original Crossing) and Red Ridge, the novel’s imagined location of John Alexander’s hideout and Lena’s secret gravesite.
The Red Ridge segment of the tour will be available only to participants who have their own four-wheel drive vehicles, who can car-pool with someone else, or who choose to climb the last half-mile on foot (calculate a half-hour fairly steep hike up an old quarry road bed). Those who are unable to join the Red Ridge segment will return to Sylvan Dale for happy hour before the late afternoon program.
Cabins are available for optional bed-and-breakfast stays for anyone who would like an overnight spring get-away.
I look forward to your joining us!
David M. Jessup
970-481-8342
PS. For those not able to join the tour, please consider attending a “virtual tour” (my Fact-to-Fiction slide presentation) at 5:00 PM on Thursday, May 7, at the Loveland Museum, 503 N. Lincoln Ave. No charge, no RSVP necessary.
COST: $79.00, paid in advance. Includes full brunch, late afternoon snacks, meeting facility and tour. Optional Bed-and-breakfast overnight “spring getaway” stay available for $110/night (double occupancy).
REGISTRATION: On-line at http://www.heartjcenter.org/marianos-crossing-tour.html,
Or send a check to National Center for Craftsmanship (fiscal sponsor of Heart-J Center, at PO Box 150, Masonville, CO 80541, with “HJC book tour” in memo line. Questions? E-mail davidj@sylvandale.com, or call (970) 481-8342.
SCHEDULE:
12:00 Noon. Full brunch in the Sylvan Dale Heritage Room.
12:30 PM. Historic photo slide presentation Mariano’s Crossing – From Fact to Fiction. Heritage Room, Sylvan Dale Ranch.
1:00 PM. Walking tour of main ranch grounds, including the original William Alexander Homestead, the original bridge location, old barn, Indian tipi rings, and view of Mt. Alexander.
2:00 PM. Depart for driving tour, car caravan to the Weldon School ruins, Marianna Butte, Medina Cemetery, and Mariano’s Crossing near Namaqua Park.
4:00 AM. Red Ridge, the “Hideout,” overlooking the river valley below. (hikers and 4-wheelers only. Others return to main ranch for happy hour).
5:30 PM. Beverages and snacks at Sylvan Dale Heritage Room, with presentation on the history of Sylvan Dale and the great floods of 1976 and 2013.
Optional: Overnight Bed and Breakfast “spring get-away” stays available at Sylvan Dale. $110/night.