Share
Digg
StumbleUpon
Reddit
When my family moved to the Eureka area, we were told that the meaning of Eureka is " I found it." Originally, it made us wonder what could we possibly discover here. What we have found is that the town of Eureka is a gateway to a slower and more peaceful way of life. As My Kind of Town, it provides a home base to reach out to some of the most remote and picturesque areas in California. I have tried to exhibit some of what we have found in the attached photographs that portray why Eureka is My Kind of Town.
If you have never been here, we are hidden behind what is called the Redwood Curtain. This perceived confine exists because you have to travel five hours north of San Francisco via winding mountain roads that serpentine their way through the tallest trees in the world. Once here, we often find ourselves exploring a foggy redwood forest till you rise above the fog and find the rolling hills that provide a spectacular vista without the interruption of human progress. Returning to the coast, we encounter numerous nearby harbors that often present a daily postcard of sunrises and bay side sunsets. One of the biggest draws to the area is the surfing on the north coast. This group has a culture and a strong social dynamic that forms a tribe all of it's own. We are fortunate to be surrounded by National Wildlife Refuges, State Parks and National Forest of which some provide access to the ancient redwood trees that are so resilient that they are like the keepers of time. Most of the parks and beaches are just a few minutes from our front door and provide easy access to the habitats of migrating birds and indigenous wildlife. At the beginning of summer, the nearby communities embrace the World Championship kinetic sculpture race. This contest of people-powered contraptions really typifies the eclectic attitude and diverse collection of life on the north coast. Then at the end of summer, we humans migrate to the horse races at the county fair. Seeing friends and hanging out in one of the prettiest settings makes the event memorable year after year. The last item that makes Eureka My Kind of Town is our location right on the Pacific Ocean. Every day whether it is the fog, the wind or the surge of waves from ocean storms, we are all engaged with its overwhelming power. In the last photo, on the beach in the right hand corner, there is a surfer and his dog. They are very small in comparison to the vastness of the surrounding ocean. I think that is a constant reminder of what keeps many of us here. We like the ease in which we can embrace our connection with the earth's beauty and serenity. Maybe that is what is meant by "Eureka, I found it!"
Comments
Excellent-- you have hidden talent you haven't shared with us yet. Thank you for sharing. Murline
Posted by Murline Georgeson on December 21,2009 | 11:22AM
You really captured Humboldt County! Great job, John.
Sharon
Posted by Sharon Falk-Carlsen on December 22,2009 | 04:55PM
Fabulous photographs! Congratulations, John!
Posted by Lorraine on December 23,2009 | 11:22AM
these are fabulous shots. You really have captured the essence of our area and reminded me why I love living here.
thanks, Tina
Posted by Tina Mackenzie on December 24,2009 | 09:57AM
John, Your photos and words do a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of Eureka and the North Coast. Nice work!
Posted by Richard Stenger on December 28,2009 | 10:27AM
You make us proud!
Posted by Jean on December 28,2009 | 11:51AM
Great photos, but most are not "from this town." The lighthouse is in Trinidad, the Kinetic Sculpture Race photo was taken in Arcata, the horse racing is in Ferndale, and I believe the "rolling hills" photo was taken from Kneeland.
Posted by Sue on December 28,2009 | 12:00PM
These are pictures of Humboldt, and it fact, some of the places in these photos are hours apart from each other, and there's no real surfing there, it's cold and blown out every day of the year, neat big trees though
Posted by ralph on December 28,2009 | 01:36PM
I understand using photos from around Humboldt county for an article about Eureka but why a surfing shot from Crescent City which is not even in the same county as Eureka?
Posted by From Arcata on December 28,2009 | 01:56PM
I agree with Sue. Please portray our area correctly and label the pictures with the location at which they were taken. The pictures are great, but they are most definitely giving people the wrong impression of the area. They are pictures from all over the county, and the essay describing the pictures should state so.
Posted by Astrid on December 28,2009 | 03:08PM
Great pictures from our area...
Posted by Janice on December 28,2009 | 03:11PM
Yes, Sue most of the pics are not exactly Eureka, but Eureka is the largest(small)town of our area. This story is for the world as a whole...it is not just for us Humboldt folk. I think that the area showcase is presented in a positive way! I love it!!! I just think it is so wonderful up here! COME AND VISIT ;)
Posted by Nicole on December 28,2009 | 03:13PM
Where are the Redwood Trees? The trees are the "spirit of the North Coast". I was disappointed.
Posted by Patty Rodriguez on December 28,2009 | 03:14PM
Nice representation! Folks who want to sample more local flavor online - check out community access media at http://accesshumboldt.net
Posted by Sean McLaughlin on December 28,2009 | 03:45PM
As a native son, born in 53, lived here all my life except for 5 years away to school, these photos don't give you a sense of what is here. It should entice and tease you come for a visit and enjoy our quiet life around and about the giants and the sea and the mountain ranges that have the same essence as the European Alps! Good fishing and sight seeing and some great places to eat too!
Posted by michael on December 28,2009 | 05:12PM
Thank you, John, for a lovely article and some great photographs. As others have said, they reminded me of what a truly amazing part of the world this is. Although I too would have liked to have seen at least one shot taken in Eureka itself. I would guess that the "Rolling Hills" photo was taken along Bald Hills Road near Dolason Prairie, where there was a fantastic bloom of lupines this past spring.
Posted by Phil Williamson on December 28,2009 | 05:28PM
I'm puzzled by the picture drawn by Mr. Meyers. I live 25 miles north of Eureka and I have no idea what he's talking about when he says "you have to travel five hours north of San Francisco via winding mountain roads that serpentine their way through the tallest trees in the world." Coming here from San Francisco involves no winding mountain roads let alone any that go through the redwoods. The highway does pass through redwoods as you enter Humboldt County and entering those redwoods at Richardson Grove State Park is an awesome experience. That spot is The Redwood Curtain and is more than an hour from Eureka. Sadly CalTrans wants to widen the road through the ancient redwoods so big trucks can more easily drive through. Mr. Meyers says that most of the parks and beaches are a few minutes from his front door, If he lives in Eureka it's at least an hours drive in either direction to get to the remaining enclaves of ancient redwoods and the same goes for most of the beaches, etc. As someone has already pointed out 8 out of the 9 photos had little to do with Eureka. While I'm very pleased to have this area spotlighted I wish that someone who knew the area better had done the presentation.
Posted by Sylvia De Rooy on December 28,2009 | 05:55PM
I think John did a great job capturing the beauty of Humboldt but I would be very disappointed as a tourist if I came to the City of Eureka and saw what it have to offer. Rundown buildings, hotels for the homeless, drugs on every corner. We've got a few major problems that need some attention before I would ever put Eureka on my top 100 places to visit.
Posted by Eava on December 29,2009 | 08:31AM
Good call, Sean! And for more great pictures and videos of Eureka and the Redwood Coast, check out:
http://flickr.com/groups/redwoodcoast/pool/show
http://www.flickr.com/photos/redwoodcoaster/show/
and
http://redwoods.info/video.asp
Posted by Richard Stenger on December 29,2009 | 12:00PM
We visited Eureka in the summer and had a blast. There was a travel website with a lot of good news and tips that helped, redwoods.info, I think it was. Yea, that's it.
Posted by Christopher Robinson on December 29,2009 | 12:10PM
Happy New Year!
Don't let the negative comments prevent you from visiting us. Every city - large and small - has their share of homeless and drug problems exacerbated by the recession.
Old Towne Eureka, Arcata, Ferndale, and Fortuna, as well as Trinidad have wonderful restaurants and interesting shops to please visitors.
Roni - (I recently returned to Humboldt County to be near family after living in the Bay Area and East Coast for 40+ years.)
Posted by Roni Carlson on December 29,2009 | 05:10PM
Nice article, but as a resident of Eureka who loves living here I would like to point out that nearly all the pictures came from nearby communities. The articles should have been called Humboldt County or the pictures and story should have been more representative of the city of Eureka.
Posted by Dee Brady on December 30,2009 | 09:09AM
I live right in the middle of Eureka and it is just minutes to the beach from my front door. You do have to drive through winding mountain roads to get to San Francisco. I love it here! I think the article was wonderful and described how I feel about Humboldt County and Eureka exactly. Although I would have included a picture of the redwoods it is certainly the artist's prerogative which photos he wants to include in his story.
I can't believe all the negative comments. It's a beautiful story with beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing it, especially with those of us who are so proud of our town.
Posted by Rhonda Mueller on December 30,2009 | 10:55AM
...And what about the Majestic Lost Coast, known as Shelter Cove, CA? Talk about grandeur!!!
Posted by kostas on January 1,2010 | 11:13AM
I lived in Eureka from 1948 thru 1956 (ages 4 thru 11). My memories and experiences there are are still very strong. These pictures bring back great memories. Thank you.
Posted by Robin Lovering on January 1,2010 | 11:45AM
What a lovely description of a lovely place. Probably the best place in the U.S. or the world to make one's home. The people and the surrounding environment are the most wonderful.
Sometimes I long to be back there where I lived for a long, long time.
Posted by Harry Johnson on January 7,2010 | 04:11PM
Nice description of a beautiful place. I use to live there for about three years and think about all the time. I miss it dearly. Wish I never left. Never thought I would feel that way if I left. Humboldt county and Eureka are very unique and progressive. You won't find anywhere else like this area. I have the best memories here and have met some wonderful people there. I will never forget it.
Posted by Jennifer Lariccia on April 22,2010 | 09:12PM