Quintessential Eureka -- Rhododendron Day

Our son Patrick has Paris in April; we have Rhododendrons in April. I'm not sure that's a valid comparison, but we do enjoy the resplendent blooms in our newly re-adopted home town. And the town, over the 27 years, has devised a pleasant way of acknowledging April.

It was the first sunny morning in days, so we got Anya and walked the block and a half from our new little house to the parade route. After 40 years in the hills, we bask in the pleasure of being close to things like this.



We arrived just in time to see some of Eureka's finest classic cars.



Anya is 4 now - nearly 5 - and enjoys a happy parade.


Music from the HSU's Marching Lumber Jack's band was very lively.

A VERY short clip of their talent.

How's this for a great example of family fun?

A salute to fine horses. (disclaimer:don't know anything about the candidate except that he has good taste in horses.) Just outside the photo is the "pooper scooper" detail provided by Sequoia Zoo for all horse entries. It consisted of a wheelbarrow pusher and friend with a large scoop shovel -- really cute!

Sure glad they're wearing helmets. They appeared incredibly balanced, however.



What's a Humboldt County parade without a tractor?


Parade over - we walk half a block to the American Rhododendron Society Show, Sale, and Garden tour. How can you not have happy eyes with these gorgeous beauties?

Mom's favorite: an apricot color something of a departure from the more pink ladies.

There was a nice bonsai exhibit at the Rhododendron show too. Lucky us!

Later after a bit of kite flying at our neighborhood park, we took in the open house at the Eureka Model Railroad Club. Those guys have a whole world (several of them) in miniature. It's clearly for their own enjoyment and we appreciate that they shared it with us.

Later that evening there was a concert at the Episcopal Church, known for its fine organ. Here is a photo op with the Humboldt Bay Brass Quintet (and friends) during the intermission after their performance of "Suite for Organ, Brass Quintet & Percussion" by Craig Phillips, and just before the Rhododendron Festival Choir presented Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise" from his Symphony No. 2 to a very appreciative audience.

A Walking Tour of Some Eureka Houses

Monthly tours of various Eureka neighborhoods are led by Ruth Moon. This month's was of the Clark District and included the Jefferson School which has lately been in the news.

Ruth has been leading these free walks since 2003. This was the 4th time for this particular itinerary. They are quite popular as evidenced by the participation. It was a lovely cool but sunny morning.


Ruth's printed flyer details many of the homes. This Italianate home has a hipped roof. Decorative fish and flowers have been added just above the windows on the frieze. Patterned shingles on the 2nd story add texture.

This little beauty is for sale.

It is late March and the Calla Lilies (Alcatraces) are in bloom. Look closely for dew drops.

Can only imagine the work ahead for this owner. Already there has been a great deal. Looks like it will be in keeping with the historic theme. Thank you Mr. Owner.

Many of the homes have been converted into apartments. See multiple mail boxes. The window sports a guard kitty.

A small sweetie with renovations totally in theme.

This is a rental and recently painted we are told. Great detailing in the vintage window glass. With all the colors available, one has to wonder about this particular choice.

A favorite! But Ruth says it is deteriorating since it was turned into rentals.

The controversial Jefferson school site, also rapidly deteriorating. Only one of several local schools now facing financial stress and decreased enrollment issues.

A fully restored Craftsman nicely done.

A little divergence from the designated Clark District tour on to Hillsdale street and Eureka's most noted "Painted Lady" The decorative elements (i.e., circular porch entrance) place it in the Queen Anne category. I wonder if they get a bit tired of being photographed.

And her neighbor -- "Painted Lady 220" The Mowry house is another Queen Anne/Eastlake, sunburst details on the brackets, scrollsaw ornaments on the upper frieze, beautiful corner porch, stained glass.

Still a painted lady, but more modestly so. Lovely!! 1904 late Queen Anne with complex gabled roof and classical portico

Another color combination that works well.

The context.

Nice! Across the street with the view in the previous shot.

A little detail -- green growth in the eaves.

Nice character.

At least 3 mailboxes here. AND it takes up the whole lot. You can't say it's inefficient use of space.

Fresh paint. Always an eye pleaser.

Queen Anne with a Colonial Revival porch, built in 1903. Two kinds of patterned shingles and an oval window

I liked the period lights in front as well as the circular balestraded porches -- different!
A very nice way to start a Saturday

Palco Marsh - REALLY close to home

We heard that the Palco Marsh had some interesting features. We lived quite close -- just half a mile and thought it might be the closest bit of bay life to us geographically and a potentially pleasant place for a lunch. So I packed up some fresh tabouli and and orange each and set out. Here's what we found.

Scotch Broom in full blossom near the RR track- one of several which once serviced the various mills around Humboldt Bay

Unhappily, the brush partly concealed various campsites and various former campsites that were less than pretty. Not pictured were assorted dead shopping carts, rotting sleeping bags and mountains of plastic debris.

We had our lunch near here and watched the little sail boat cavort in the mild breezes.

Kinetic sculpture? Not quite. Not even kinetic. Someone's idea of sculpture tho.

More art. While graffiti is something of an art form in some places, I suspect this isn't.

Perhaps a bit better. More colorful anyway.

There is even a bit of marsh here and there.

ok this is a bit different

Ah, the tell tale signs of an artist and his tools

You've heard of riding the rails? This is writing the rails.
"So long Humboldt -- East bound '99
you will be missed" A bit sad, I'd say.



The marsh has potential but lacks a certain care. A high school class could adopt it as an environmental cleanup project for a few years. Ah, yes, but then there would need to be another place for homeless to stay.

Closer to Home - Humboldt Bay South

Inspired by a local history class, we take a sunny Sunday drive to parts of the bay we haven't seen for 40 years, as well as parts we never saw back when we lived here in the 60's.


South Spit looking north


Hookton Slough on a good day for clouds

Field's Landing and what's left of the landing part.

I'm cheating here a bit, but if you will click on the title above, you will see a website devoted to the sights we saw on this day.