“Love is a verb, 
and kindness is 
its practice.” 
C.S. Lewis

We’re packing up and leaving Eureka this morning. Before we go, however, we’ll spend one last bit of time visiting with Kathy’s brother, John, and his wife, Linda. Kathy and I decided to stay in a bed & breakfast during our visit here in Eureka, but we spent a considerable amount of time at John and Linda’s home and traveling around to various parts of Humboldt County with them. The level of hospitality they provided for us went above and beyond anything we might have hoped for.

Over the past couple of days, we visited the towns of Arcata and Trinidad, as well as numerous sites here in Eureka. A couple of weeks ago, Kathy and I visited the San Francisco Zoo. We were quite disappointed in the experience for a number of reasons. Sequoia Park Zoo here in Eureka was a much more pleasant adventure, which included the opportunity to take a walk through the redwoods on the Redwood Skywalk, a walking path 100 feet above the forest floor. It’s an experience I will never forget.

Last night, John and Linda took us to Old Town Eureka where we enjoyed a couple of hours at the Eureka Friday Night Market, which featured local food vendors, artisan makers, and live music. Being together for this event, as well as the drives we took in and around Eureka, provided ample time for excellent conversation. 

Just one block from John & Linda’s home is the western edge of the McKay Community Forest. This park, filled with towering redwood trees, includes approximately 31 miles of multi-use roads, multi-use trails, hiking trails, and mountain bike trails. The purpose of these amenities is to provide a place for residents and visitors of all ages and abilities to enjoy walking, hiking, mountain-biking, wheeling (in mobility devices), horseback-riding, learning, and connecting with the natural world.

At the western end of Eureka is Humboldt Bay, which features a flat, paved 14.8-mile multi-use trail connecting Eureka and Arcata. One stretch of this trail passes through the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s an ideal venue for for walking, running, and bicycling, with gentle grades accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Kathy and I are tremendously grateful to John and Linda for their gracious hospitality during our visit. As I mentioned in a previous blog post, our last visit to Eureka was in 1996.  I’m fairly confident that we will not wait another thirty years before returning.