See history while hiking Jack London

<p>For a fall hike, Jack London State Historical Park in the Sonoma Valley beckons.</p><p>"There is a great diversity, some history there; the hikes there are classic with a variety of nice loops of differing lengths," said Dave Gould, superintendent of the Diablo Vista District.</p><p>"I like the feel of that park, grassy meadows, forested areas, viewpoints, you can even hike by vineyards. What could be better than hiking in the Sonoma Valley forest and past vineyards?"</p><p>The 1,413-acre Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen was the author's home and where he penned his novels, and a working ranch with barns and silos.</p><p>There is an easy milelong hike from the House of Happy Walls, where Charmian London lived after Jack London's death, to the remains of the Wolf House and to the author's grave.</p><p>There are also 2- to 5-mile loops from the London cottage to the lake that served as the estate's swimming pool.</p><p>"The wind has taken a lot of the leaves off the trees, it is the transition from fall into winter," Gould said. "It's actually dry, without a lot of rain; there are a lot of branches strewn about now."</p><p>Maps are posted on interpretative signs and available at the parks House of Happy Walls museum, which opens at 10 a.m. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thursdays. The entry fee is $8.</p><p>-- Bob Norberg</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or e-mail bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com.</p>