Ever wandered into a cemetery and thought, ah yes, this is my happy place? Same. Mountain Cemetery in Sonoma has been around since 1841, making it one of California’s oldest. And unlike Europe’s cemeteries, which are often overcrowded, crumbling, and piled high with centuries of the dearly (and not-so-dearly) departed, here even the dead get a bit of acreage. It’s wild, sun-bleached, and just the right amount of eerie. Among its residents is John McCracken, a member of the Donner Party. When the group debated taking the infamous Hastings Cutoff, the McCrackens wisely said, “absolutely not” and chose the safer route. They survived, without ever resorting to cannibalism, a reminder that sometimes history really does come down to which road you take. I’ve always been happiest in cemeteries. They’re quiet, a little unsettling, and full of stories & mystery. Can’t ask for much more. . . #history #cemetery #LAhistorygirl #californiablogger #historian California History, Historic Cemete...