Trinidad, Ca (Population: 364)

For those of you who know me well, you know that my ideal living situation is in a small ranch home in a small town just outside of the city. I don't want to see my neighbors, but when I do, I want to be able to ask them for a cup of sugar. I don't want to have to leash my dogs, but when I do, it has to be because they are going with me on a hike or to the beach. I would like to have the ability to go into my backyard in my skivvies, even though I probably wouldn't. If I go to the market or local restaurant, I would like to be greeted with, "Hey! You're back! How're ya doing?"

Well, Trinidad, California is the closest thing to all of that in northern California. You kind of have to be careful when driving by, because if you miss the exit over the hill, you will be driving to the next state park before you can turn around to come back! But let me tell you something, if you do happen to take the Trinidad exit, you're not gonna find much if you're looking for fine dining, shopping malls, and boutiques. However, if you take that Trinidad exit looking for beautiful scenery, great hiking trails, and beautiful sunset beaches…you've made it!!

The first week that we made it into Humboldt County (that's where all of the locals live…not "Eureka" or "Arcata" or "Trinidad"…"Humboldt County") we did everything but lit a fire underneath my nursing agent to get out of Eureka. They came through and placed us in this beautiful and quaint little town. They kept apologizing for housing me 30 minutes away from work, but believe me…it's totally ok. We feel safe and comfortable here. The community is not big enough or rich enough for all of the vagrants to come panhandling for drugs or money. Not to mention, these people here seem to be of a different culture. It almost seems like we're staying in a small town in northern Colorado rather than the other hippie towns in the bigger cities of this county.

Here's an example of the local "Humboldt hippie" style
(Not my photo…I Googled it)

This is a totally new culture to me. Not that I am unaccepting (I know that's not a word, but I can't think of a better one to use yet) of it, but it does take an adjustment of mindset and a practice of humility on my part. Meeting and greeting new and different cultures is part of what we have set out to do when we decided that we were going to be traveling. In fact, many of these people are peaceful and kind folks!

However, the people in Trinidad are not of the typical local style. Rather, I can imagine these folk tending to small shops and diners in a small town out side of Galveston. It really helps Ia and I ease in to the culture shock element.

Anyway, on my first day off from work in the hospital, Ia and I set out to explore the highlight of Trinidad. Trinidad State Beach is what keeps this little town on the map. This ocean access starts at the bottom of the hill where all of the vacation beach houses sit. Sitting between the Trinidad and Elk Heads (two small mountains sandwiching the beach between them) and spotted with numerous boulder-like islands, this picturesque flat is a great place to take a loved one, a couple of dogs, and a camera!

The other beautiful thing about this beach is that it's less than ten minutes from our front door!!

This is the view from atop Trinidad Head. You can see Elk Head across the way.

Another thing that a few may know about me, is that I have acquired my mother's fascination with lighthouses…and Trinidad has one!! 

(That's Trinidad Head on the right side of the picture, so Trinidad State Beach is outside of the frame to the right of the Head.)

The view from the lighthouse.

Ground level at the beach.

I'm thinking I can get used to this :)

The Lord is my strength and song, And he has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him.

Exodous 15:2 (NKJV)