October 16th (Friday) through 22nd (Thursday), 2015 Still in Humbolt Bay of Eureka, CA

Guessing it's the Humbolt State University rowing team.  The girls thought it was so funny how the coach was on a motored dinghy yelling at the rowers on her megaphone.  At first I thought a woman was having a fight with someone on the dock near our boat so I peeked out to find the coach on her mega phone.

Waiting for the favorable weather window we were wondering what we should do to occupy ourselves in Eureka.  Well, let's just say that our lives have taken a dramatic slowing down in pace. The weather seems to be predicting all kinds of havoc along the coast especially around where we are.  Surprisingly the weather inland was a lot more favorable with warm sun and light breeze. Between a few days of small craft advisories and a gale warning at sea, we went to the grocery stores everyday including a nearby Costco, which by the way groceries are our second highest expense so far on this trip.  Also, a record was set for us when we walked out of  Costco with a bill less than $50! As typical with one critically needed item - sliced cheddar cheese -  the rest were impulse buys. Having an early dinner at Costco, we reminisced the meals we had at the crowded Bellingham Costco. It's odd to relate being a member of Costco with the security that I used to have.  Not having a car and having to walk everywhere have really humbled us. When I used to drive around town and see the homeless, it was really easy to just zone out or drive by without much thought of the homeless.  On foot the image of the homeless remain longer in my brain because I am forced to walk pass them and can't hide in my car to drive by fast. Compared to many hanging around the boardwalk here near the marina I know we are very privileged.  In fact compared to most, we are very privileged.  But, why do I feel like a vagabond?  We walk around with our backpacks and I watch those on bikes with longing.  Hanging out in Eureka I have come to realize that I lived a fairly affluent life.  I never felt rich but I knew that I had the means to do anything and go anywhere my heart desired. Was it a good life?  It was comfortable but we were so busy that I didn't have a moment to realize how comfortable I was. Isn't this yet another blessing and an education for our family to really see the people on the streets even for a short while to become a part of their community?

I wonder how many years this future Marina Center has been in the plan.  

Going on a grocery run. Note the backpacks.  The future of the Marina Center is a quite large piece of land (~10 city blocks) cordoned off by chain link fence across the street from the marina.

Old town of Eureka seems to be famous for these old Victorian homes.  These are the more famous ones but there were plenty we found on our 40 min walk to St. Joseph for vigil mass on Saturday.

Cason Mansion.  Its sign said, "Ingomar Private Club". Too bad it wasn't open for viewing inside to learn more about its history. 

Painting contractors may be in high demand in this town . 

Front of St. Joseph Church

A serene alter with BVM to the left.  Kudos for you if know what BVM stands for. 

The other high point of being in Eureka for almost 8 days is that I have been inspired to bake.  At home I baked but always felt that I had to fit it in between this and that.  Here, I am not deterred by raised dough recipes that require more time to rise twice to their delicious fluffiness. We didn't bring a rolling pin so had to improvise with  a 2 liter seltzer water bottle.  It worked well.

Yummy Cinnamon Rolls.Easy Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

Made another batch the next day for a second day of cinnamon goodness. The crew approves.

Gloating here with a close up. 

The following day I made sweet fluffy bread rolls.  They are so buttery and soft but had to ration these for our passage down south tomorrow. Maangchi's Bread Rolls 

While I was busy baking the girls were playing with Pingy and Foxy and creating an animated movie. 

See Ellie, the girls love their Pingy and Foxy that you gave them. Perfect size. 

Anna is taking pictures of every move and gesture to capture a very short scene while the prop handler, Sophia, prepares for the next shot.  

Humbolt Bay Sunset