Visit to Jack London State Historic park

 

I first heard about the Jack London State Historic Park from my professor with whom I was taking workshop with last semester. It was something during the month of November when I was feeling an all time low. Nothing was goiing right. I missed running the Golden gate Half marathon because of fatigue, my strength dropped, my pace dropped, I received a few rejections, and I was feeling home sick. I wasnt sure where my writing was heading and whether I was even in the right field. 

It was during that time when my professor mentioned about his visit to Jack London museum, about thirty minutes from Napa. He talked about having seen a pile of rejections faced by the author before he tasted success. I listened intently, making my mind to visit this place sometime. 

During winter break, while browsing for things to do/see near Bodega Bay, I stumbled upon Jack London state Historic park. It was an hour away. I took this as some sort of sign and decided to drive up there with family. 

Nestled amidst the lush green ranches and vineyards, we spotted the stone building which was the museum. There were clippings about the author's life along with motivational quotes. I learned how he died at 40, and yet lived his life to the fullest. It was intriguing to learn how he never wasted a single minute of his life. He faced 1000s of rejections before he made it big in life. Apparently he wasnt afraid of failure. He cherished experimenting with new ideas even if it didnt work in his favour. He strongly believed that exercise would cater to a buoyant mind which would help his writing. 

It was a delight to see how he indulged in several outdoor activities, sailed seas, and weathered storms. The entire place mesmerised me. I stood there gaping at the photographs, quotes, and the typewriter. What a history this place has! After a tour, we were asked to type out a note that chronicled our learnings from this place. One of my biggest takeaways was to larn to embrace failure which was a process for every struggling or aspiring writer. The author's quote on failure will remain imprinted in my mind forever, and not get bogged own by rejections on submittable. 

We then visited his cottage, overlookng a pond and the vineyards. I marveled at the view from his porch from where he used to write. What a magnificent sight of the vineyards. I wonder how he got his writing done with such a beautiful and distracting view. There was something about the ascdending vineyards that was distracting, almost casting you into a spell. You could never tear your gaze from them. And this was the same place where the author churned out great stories.  

The place was tranquil, serene and calm. It elicited goosebumps as I took a tour inside the rooms. It almost felt like the author's spirit was still there. A strange presence. I couldnt put my finger to it. A crazy part of me perhaps wanted the blessings of this legendary author. I was filled with a strange sense of calmness. I walked around the rooms, porches, along the pond and the vineyards. Surrounded by trails, patches of green and puddles, I was lost in thought. 

This solitude amidst nature gave me time to introspect and reflect about the fall semester. I was stressed out with a lack of break between my thesis and rthe beginning of the semester. I was trying yo do multiple things at the same time-get back my running, participate in triathlons, write new stories, read short stories in a way I've never done before, I was pressed for time, i felt my energy zap, and I badly needed a break. A break where there were no deadlines, a break where I could just sleep and recover from the summer bout of illness and fatigue. I felt I was in a constant race and pressurized. When I looked into my reflection in the pond, I was reminded of a quote my coaches used to mention-you are your only competition. And i asked myself-so what if i face rejections? So what if my writing isnt reached the level I want it to reach?Have I improved in the last one year? Most importantly was I happy? What was the need to rush? Havent several authors whom I interviewed in the past told me catogorically as to how their stories took time to evolve. I had to be patient, disciplined and enjoy the process. 

I always believe nature has the ability to nurture those who embrace it. Few years ago, when I was facing another dilemna in my life, a visit to the redwoods ghelped me gain clarity. I looked around the green landscape around me. Majestic and silent. It almost felt they were smiling at me. I felt I found the answers to my questions. I found the ability to reconnect with myself and what was important to me, rather than fall into the rat race. I went back to my hotel, feeling lighter, better and most importantly happier.