Thursday, October 22, 2015

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


8 comments:

  1. We're drooling over the cinnamon roll photos!! So far it doesn't look like anyone is suffering from a lack of delicious food on board! What culinary delicacies do they serve at the Costco cafe? Hank immediately noticed the rusty diesel locomotive in the picture behind Anna and Sophia. Too bad you couldn't climb the fence and play on that for a while. We'll be looking forward to the Pingy and Foxy animated feature when the girls are done with it!

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    1. Hello Matt,
      Costco meals are usually pizza and hotdogs with raspberry slushies. Apparently I didn't get the names right. They are Pingy and Loxy. Foxy is the name of the fox that Patsy gave Sophia, not this little one that our friend gave them. Once the movie is complete I will be sure to share it. I hope you guys are having fun with Jim and Patsy.
      Love,
      Monica

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  2. Yum those cinnamon rolls look fantastic!! Your thoughtful comments are inspiring as well. Enjoy your harbor time while Patricia blows through. Love, Julia

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    1. Now that we have created an expectation on food and recipes, I will have to be thinking about the variety of foods that we cook and bake on board. On the next posting, we will have one of Jeff's expert recipes to share. Can't tell you what it is yet. Oooohh suspense.
      There will be more comments coming. I enjoy sharing the learning we experience with others. Love, Monica

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  3. Great pics, great adventure, thanks for including us GBWY!

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    1. Thank you and Thank you for all the beautiful things you and your family sent us off with. Like I mentioned before we are enjoying your onions and garlic. Recently, we got into Ellie's blackberry jam and it's even more delicious on the boat! Lately, I am being encouraged to write and share more about my internal revelations God gives me. Have been searching for that voice for the blog and I think it is being formed as we speak. God Be With You also! Send my love to the family. Love,
      Monica

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  4. Very much enjoying your blog! Sorry we weren't able to connect in San Francisco.

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    1. Oh Mairead, it really would have been fun to meet up with you guys in San Fran. Our track record for meeting up with people so far has been terrible. One of our friends stopped by at our boat in Coos Bay and we missed them! When we are subjected to the weather I guess we can't promise anything. I hope you, Richard, and the girls are doing well. Tell your girls that we will have a video on the next posting and to look for it. Take care and hope all is well at work. Monica

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