I thoroughly enjoyed the article by Carl Heintze about the Donner family and its sad chapter in California history ("Picnicking at Donner campsite disturbing," Dec. 11). We own a family place at Tahoe Donner and know of the campsite that he referenced. We have been there many times and always try to imagine how it must have been. When we are snug in our mountain home, with the snow falling in huge amounts, I sometimes go out on our deck to get a feel for the cold. Of course, nothing that we can do would give us a true feeling, as we are well fed and can come inside at any time or leave for the valley.

—Mary Ann (Hogan) Shirhall, Rocklin, Calif.