Author Archives: nancyleek

It was getting late in October, the Bidwell-Bartleson Party had run out of food, and they were still making their way down the canyons of the western side of the Sierra Nevada. On October 23, 1841, John Bidwell set off … Continue reading →

One of my favorite sources for information on John Bidwell is his 1897 address to the Society of California Pioneers. The Society was limited to those who had come to California before the end of 1849. Plenty of 49er’s joined, … Continue reading →

The Bidwell-Bartleson Party climbed up narrow canyons on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, following streams and seeking grass for their mounts. Some were on horses or mules, others were on foot. On October 18th they crested the mountains, … Continue reading →

Notice how the weather is getting cooler in October? We are currently enjoying lovely fall days, but the days are shorter and the nights are cooler. What if you were trying to get to California and hadn’t yet crossed the … Continue reading →

I have been reading Covered Wagon Women: Diaries and Letters from the Western Trails, 1850. This is the second volume in an eleven volume series devoted to women’s journals of the westward movement. I am quite intrigued with the journal … Continue reading →

The book on Pres Longley, edited by John Rudderow and myself, is out! If you are interested in The Miner Poet: Poems of Pres Longley, it is available at Lyon Books, Paradise Coin and Gift, Bidwell Mansion, and from the … Continue reading →

I have learned a lot about old times in California as I have worked on editing this book on Pres Longley, the miner poet. Yesterday John Rudderow, the instigator of this project, told me about the old custom of “firing … Continue reading →

I have a new project that I’ve been working on for the past month or so, and I am hoping it will be a book soon. I am helping to edit a book of poems by Pres Longley, the poet … Continue reading →