News From Jamul Haven

We've started work building the water feature in the canyon and under the pedestrian bridge between the two houses. Although the project will take six months to a year to complete, it is already looking much better, plus it's fun to see things take shape. If you live in the Jamul area and you or a neighbor have any spare rocks in your yard, give us a call. We're looking for donations of rocks to use in the water features and we like to work with native stone from the area. Also, if you happen to know someone in the area who drives a backhoe, we could use a bit of help (paid, not donated) for a half-day or so to position some of the larger rocks.

We're busy planting flowers everywhere. Unlike many parts of the country, winter in San Diego is the best time for flowers. In fact, our gardens tend to be at their peak in the period between January and May.

Amy Lowell Slept Here (continued)

Last month we learned a bit about the poet Amy Lowell and read some of her diary entries about staying across the way from the Dabney's Fayal Ranch. This month I'll quotefrom a letter from Mrs. Raymond Emerson written in April 1971 from Concord Massachusetts.

"I want to tell you a little about the Fayal Ranch. About the year 1890 Mr. Samuel Dabney who together with his father and grandfather had been American Consuls in the Island of Fayal in the Azores Islands decided to leave the Island and return to America. The family roots were in Boston but they felt that the climate of New England was too severe for them after living in the Azores.

"Mr. Dabney bought the 50 (or more) acre ranch at Jamach. He built a comfortable house on the rise overlooking the valley of the Sweetwater River [currently burned down except for the foundation, but located about 500 feet from the Angel House-William]. He moved to the ranch which they named Fayal Ranch in about 1891. ...Some of the oranges were shipped via El Cajon but Mrs. Dabney used to cook great cauldrons of Marmalade and she also supervised the pickling of the olives.

"Once, for the 4th of July we drove in the surrey with the white farm pair, Jim and Nancy, to San Diego to visit friends in Coronado. In 1902 San Diego was a small sleepy town. On the main street were a few two story brick buildings and along the sidewalk were hitched a row of horses harnessed in single buggies or double wagons or carts. The road ran down to the Coronado ferry which took a few teams each trip. There were a number of Chinamen to be seen. We had a Chinaman cook for awhile until he was dismissed for opium smoking."

To be continued.

Romantic Getaway #8: Yellowstone Escape

If you like spectacular nature, but hate crowds, consider a trip to Yellowstone National park about this time of year. Once the snows start, but before the park is closed, you can see a Yellowstone park that is more spectacular, but much less crowded, than Yellowstone in the summer. The geysers and hot springs are amazing steaming, and the elk come down from the mountains and forage right in the town.

In This Issue:

Upcoming Local Events

Selected fun San Diego events that are worth a trip.

October 3rd, reading of William's play Dickinson in San Diego, free.

10/02-10/05, San Diego Women's Film Festival

10/3-10/5 - La Mesa Oktoberfest

10/11-10/12 - Little Italy Precious Festa of food and music

10/17 - Old Town Octoberfest

October 20th, reading of William's play Eliot in Los Angeles, free.

10/1 - 11/15: Julian Apple Festival


For information about any of these events, email us!

Jamul Haven Specials

We are continuing to offer our introductory rate special of $199 per night, holidays excluded, which includes a gourmet breakfast for two cooked to order.

Innkeeper Update

Marianne and Glenda are celebrating their birthdays in October by traveling to Las Vegas for a two-day "girls just wanna have fun" getaway.

Bill has been busy getting ready for the performance (workshop) of his musical Eliot in Los Angeles. He's working with a very high end cast plus Director and Music Director, all with Broadway experience. If you'd like to attend, it's a great opportunity to see the birth of a Broadway show.

In The News

For links to articles and reviews, visit http://www.jamulhaven.com/links.html.

Hints from Yesteryear

Hints from "The Everyday Cook-Book," (c) 1889 and found in the Jamul Haven Angel House.

Cologne Water: Take a pint of alcohol and put in thirty drops or so of lemon, thirty of bergamot, and half a gill of water. If musk or lavender is desired, add the same quantity of each. The oils should be put in the alcohol and shaken well before the water is added. Bottle it for use.

Recipies from Yesteryear

Recipies from "The Everyday Cook-Book," (c) 1889 and found in the Jamul Haven Angel House.

Spiced Beef: Four pounds of round of beef chopped fine; take from it all fat; add to it three dozen small crackers rolled fine, four eggs, one cup of milk, one tablespoon ground mace, two tablespoons of black pepper, one tablespoon melted butter; mix well and put in any tin pan that will just fill, packing it well; baste with butter and water, and bake two hours in a slow oven.