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.”

✔ A Friday Post

Trinidad Beach

This week has felt like a whirlwind, with my mind racing to keep up with everything unfolding around me. 

✔We arrived home on Monday evening. 

✔Tuesday was the day of that medical procedure. After I came home from that, I still had to carve out time to finalize my preparations for leading my BSF class the following day. This week, it was the Promise of Restoration - Ezekiel 36 and the Promise of Regeneration in Ezekiel 37. 

I have twelve women in my group, and they tend to be quite talkative, often going off on rabbit trails that often don't make much sense. It’s my responsibility to keep them focused; otherwise, they won’t absorb the lessons from Ezekiel. Last year, there wasn’t as much of that because they all really wanted to study.  I have to stay on top of this.  While I allow them a little leeway, I also need to step in and steer them back on track.  

✔ On Thursday morning, I began my Isaiah study. I REALLY enjoy this because I am not leading it and I can relax.  

✔As the day progressed, I began to look forward to my youngest son's 41st birthday. 

To mark the occasion, we all headed to his favorite place: 

Woody's, a local brewery and eatery. 

It was an enjoyable night filled with good food, great company, and plenty of laughter, as well as yummy crème brûlée. 

✔ Just before we were getting ready, we spotted Laydee's tail and noticed it was bleeding quite heavily, with streaks of blood splattered on the walls of the entryway where her tail was hitting the wall. My husband is a mother hen when it comes to her and gets a bit overwhelmed when he sees blood. 

I raised three boys by myself - I can handle this! 

I gently guided Laydee down and carefully examined her tail. After cleaning the area, I was relieved to see that the bleeding had finally stopped. However, upon further inspection, I discovered an open cyst that had burst, likely due to her beating her tail against the wall. I shaved her tail and bandaged it up as best as I could. So he elected to stay home to keep an eye on her. 

✔This morning, Laydee visited her veterinarian, and it was determined that she will return on Tuesday for a procedure to bob a small portion of her tail. Her tail is a part of her charming personality, but it’s for the best. Healing can be quite a challenge, especially when she’s always wagging it around! The thing is, she seems fine. But we don't want an infection. 

The last of the morning fog burning off...

So...

✔I've decided to make some adjustments to my blogging schedule for a while, as I'm struggling to keep up with reading blogs and posting due to my commitments during the week. I’ll experiment until I discover what suits me best. I will write a few posts on Sunday afternoon and then pre-schedule them for the days of the week when I am swamped. 

Next week, I have three appointments, all on Tuesday. 

✔Check Laydee in at the Vet for her surgery

 ✔Rush over for my dental cleaning in the morning 

✔ Then the follow-up appointment to have the bandage removed from the loop-recorder incision in the afternoon.  

A beautiful way to start the morning 

Last week, I mentioned feeling as though I had lost a day; well, this week, the sensation has intensified, making it seem like I've misplaced several days. Here it is, Friday, and it feels as if time has slipped through my fingers; this week has left me disoriented with the rhythm of the week. 

✔Everything is going well; my incision is healing without any issues. I’m grateful for that. 

✔The weather remains summer-like, with a high of 95 today, but we may experience some rain and Fall-like temperatures early next week, which would be welcome.

 ✔My house is not as clean as I like, and I am behind on my laundry.

 ✔Fall decorating? It will happen when it happens. 

And if all of that isn't enough, I'm also finding myself navigating the frustrating landscape of writer's block, where ideas for posts seem sparse and my thoughts barely form into anything meaningful to share that you would all find interesting.

I even wrote out the Hodgepodge and then looked at it, decided I didn't like it, so I deleted it. The same with a couple of other rushed posts. 

Life has been an exhilarating ride lately, filled with unexpected surprises and delightful twists that have kept me on my toes. Lord willing, I’m hoping that after Tuesday, things will finally begin to calm down a bit for the rest of the next week!

Until Next Time,

Debby