Trinidad, Ca

I truly needed this moment. The refreshing scent of redwoods blends with the crisp Pacific Ocean air, while soft fog envelops the treetops on the cliffs and rocks. 

It was a calm morning at sea. 

I sought this escape to refresh my mind, with the tranquil embrace of nature to wash away the clutter of the past couple of weeks. 

I was raised by the ocean, where the fog, waves, and salty air became my sanctuary from an early age.  Even when the wind howled fiercely, there was a strange comfort in its chaos. I have always enjoyed sitting on an ocean bluff during overcast weather. It's exhilarating to watch the turbulent sea crashing against the rocks.

This was not the case today. It was calm like a lake. 

But then...

Seventeen years ago, we began our journey inland -  leaving the ocean behind. The road to the waves is now long, winding through the granite peaks of the Trinity Mountains, the Pacific Coastal Range, and the King Mountain Range in Humboldt County. The two-lane highway, often reduced to one lane due to winter rockslides, uses traffic lights to manage traffic. While some find it annoying, I see it as an adventure amid the stunning scenery.

It's only 150 miles, but the steep mountain ranges make our drive take twice as long to get here. No freeways. two lanes and sometimes only one lane. 

Driving the I-5 to the Bay Area and the San Mateo Coast can be quicker, but it's crowded and touristy. The North Coast remains a secluded secret.

Trinidad, California, is a small coastal town in Humboldt County with a population of about 317. Known for its beautiful coastline, public beaches, and offshore rocks part of the California Coastal National Monument, Trinidad is the oldest town on the Northern California coast. It has a rich history, starting with the Indigenous Tsurai (Yurok) people and later serving as a supply port during the Gold Rush. 

A Portuguese sea captain, Sebastian Rodriguez Cermeno, discovered Trinidad Bay in 1595. Many years later, it was discovered again by Spanish captains, Heceta and Bodega, on Trinity Sunday, June 9, 1775. They named the port La Santisima Trinidad and claimed the area for Spain. Visiting Trinidad in 1793, Captain George Vancouver found the natives "friendly and courteous ..." Russian and other seafaring fur traders found safe harbor in Trinidad Bay in the early 1800's.

 

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day - 

refreshing coastal breezes mingled with a delicate whisper of fog. 

The majestic redwoods in the distance stretch gracefully down to the sea. 

Nestled amidst the cliffs, homes rise gracefully. 

Hidden away from the bustling crowds, 

The secluded beaches stretch like a secret paradise. 

And wait - could that be Waldo down there, without his famous hat and glasses, blending into the scenery in a delightfully unexpected twist?

No, it's just a nudist. 

On the opposite side of the harbor, the atmosphere shifts dramatically - less sheltered and noticeably cooler, with a crispness in the air.

This is Autumn to me. 

We affectionately refer to this spot as "poop rock," 

and it remains unchanged. 

That is what all the white is...

The Coastal ice plant is a succulent shrub from the South African coast, introduced to California in the early 1900s to prevent erosion on railroad tracks and roadsides. However, it has become invasive along the California coast, from Humboldt County to Baja California. It forms thick mats that block native plants and alters the soil, competing with many endangered and rare species.

I've always hated the stuff. 

The fog lingers patiently in the distance, like an artist waiting for the perfect moment to embrace its misty canvas over the town. As the night falls, it will gently creep in, wrapping everything in a cool, damp embrace that will hold until dawn breaks and the sun chases it away.

Until Next Time, 

Debby

 

Revelation 21:1

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also, there was no more sea.”