Eureka (and Humboldt County) in a nutshell

This is going to be a quick little post with very few pictures. That way I can get all of the information about our current location out there and then we can move on with the more photogenic blogs.

Once Ia and I rolled into Eureka, one of the first things we noticed was that there was a Wal-Mart…in the mall. Yep, if there is any way to accurately describe what the local community is like in one statement, tell them that the only Wal-Mart in the whole county is in the only mall in the whole county.

When we told people that we were going to Eureka, California, the most common response that we got was a blank stare and a small reassuring smile followed by a slow nod. Then once we mentioned that it was in a section of California called Humboldt County, a few more people lit up and said, "Oh! I've heard about Humboldt County. You know what Humboldt County is known for, don't you?" Quite frankly, I had no idea. After some shallow research, I got a glimpse of what they were talking about. But once we actually arrived to our hotel in Eureka and showed up for my first day of work at St. Joseph hospital (one of the only acute care hospitals in the county) we very quickly realized where we were.

Humboldt County houses one of the most beautiful national forests in America - The Redwood National Forest. The foggy, moist weather and proper soil and sunshine provides all of the essential elements for the worlds largest trees to grow. It ALSO provides all of the essential elements (including seclusion and concealment) for the growing of marijuana and other illegal drugs.

The homeless rate in Eureka is astounding as well. I was told that the census states that there are just about 27,000 people living in Eureka, but that does not take into account for the estimated 1,200 homeless people living there. Quite an amazing number when you actually see it with your own eyes.

Anyway, Ia and I were finally able to get out of that scary little hotel in downtown Eureka and into a nice little vacation home tucked away into the redwoods, in a town about 30 minutes north of Eureka, called Trinidad.

Here's the view everyday I wake up on a day off…

Now stay tuned for my rundown of my personal favorite town in Humboldt County, Trinidad!