Dear MendoFever Readers-
We are excited to announce the beginning of a new partnership with Mendonoma Sightings, a publication that documents the stretch of coastline shared between Mendocino and Sonoma County
Jeanne Jackson and her husband Rick made the Mendonoma Coast their home in 1996. Using the powers of observation and her informative yet approachable writing style, Jackson has written a book, contributed a regular column to the Independent Coast Observer, and manages a Facebook page all of which are dedicated to documenting the wildlife and natural settings unique to the Mendonoma Coast.
So, what exactly is the Mendonoma Coast?
“Mendonoma” describes the stretch of coastline that crosses the Mendocino/Sonoma County border. This coastline is marked by cliffs, hairpin turns, redwood trees, and epic vistas.
The Mendonoma Coastline’s southern terminus is said to be the Sonoma County town of Jenner-By-The-Sea. Others contend Mendonoma does not officially begin until the Coastal Highway begins to ascend the bluffs a few miles north of Jenner-By-The-Sea.
Mendonoma’s agreed-upon midpoint is the Gualala River which splits the community of Gualala and The Sea Ranch.
Its northern endpoint is also debated. Some say it ends at Irish Beach while others claim it goes further north to the community of Elk. Jeanne Jackson has pinpointed MacKerricher State Park, just north of Fort Bragg, as the northern terminus of Mendonoma.
So, what will MendoFever’s collaboration with Mendonoma Sightings look like?
Jeanne Jackson often receives pictures or is told of sightings, and she will compose what some might call articles, others might call entries, but what we’re going to call “Dispatches from Mendonoma” describing the wildlife or wildland featured in the photograph or witnessed by an on-looker.
Jackson’s wealth of knowledge is informed by over twenty years of consulting guidebooks, considering tide tables, and a sea-side prowess that honed her craft as an amateur Mendonoma expert.
We are excited to host the photographs of Craig Tooley who often collaborates with Jackson to capture the beauty of Mendonoma. Tooley has been featured in local, regional, and national newspapers, galleries, Sunset Magazine, and multiple Wildlife Preservation reports.
Readers, take note.
When we begin publishing these “Dispatches from Mendonoma”, each one will include multiple hyperlinks at the bottom of the article. These hyperlinks will take you to a page where you can buy Jackson’s book called Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year and Craig Tooley’s photography website.
Buy Jackson’s book! Purchase some of Tooley’s photographs for decoration!
Mendocino County- we have mastery on our doorsteps and too often Google and smartphones and photo-editing apps replace the bountiful knowledge of those that have spent hours in the salt and sand understanding the rhythms of our world.
How Can You Support the Efforts of Mendonoma Sightings?
- Buy Jeanne Jackson’s book Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year here. The 270-page, full-color documentation of our coast’s beauty would make for a great gift or coffee table conversation piece.
- Jeanne Jackson has also written two children’s books: Sunny Loves Spring on the California Coast and Sunny Loves Summer on the California Coast. These playful children’s books were written to instill within children a love of nature. Jackson will be publishing the other two seasons this year. Those books can be purchased at http://sunnylovesnature.com/
- Check out Craig Tooley’s incredible photography of our coastline here. Buy some prints of his photos, get them framed, and bring the Mendonoma coast home.
- “Follow” and “Like” the Mendonoma Sightings Throughout the Year Facebook page for direct access to Jackson’s dispatches of life on Mendonoma.
- If you have your own Mendonoma Sighting, contact Jeanne Jackson at mendonomasightings@gmail.com to submit your narrative and photograph so she can document the experience.
Jeanne and Craig, we are excited to work with you. Thank you again
—MendoFever Founder, Editor, and Reporter Matt LaFever
