Back in the Land of Slugs and Starfish – Trinidad, CA – Labor Day Weekend, 2014
I’m in Trinidad, California this weekend. Trinidad is about 6 hours north of San Francisco. It's a small fishing town that's about 20 miles away from Redwood National Park and the tallest trees in the world. I lived here for almost 30 years before I moved to New Hampshire. While I spent my youth in the SF Bay Area, Trinidad is where I feel like I grew up. I moved to Trinidad fresh out of high school to attend Humboldt State University. I was 18 years old and stayed here until I was 49. There are more memories and friendships in this little town than I can count. Probably everyone has a place where they feel like their soul resides. For me, it’s here. This morning I took a long run and ended up at Trinidad State Beach. I saw some true Pacific North Coast images. Banana slugs and starfish. In my crazy, convoluted career where I’ve done whatever I’ve had to do to keep the ship afloat, at one point I made a low-end jewelry line that I called, “Pacific Icons.” My concept was to highlight quirky North Coast Images like Big Foot, salmon, redwood trees, salamanders and of course, banana slugs. I’m slightly embarrassed now to say, that at many a craft fair, slug jewelry saved the show for me.
It’s going to be a great weekend. I’m staying at my old college buddy, Bryce’s house here in Trinidad. Another old college buddy Bill, is driving up from L.A. today. We’re having a reunion of sorts. Bryce is a passionate ocean fisherman. Tonight, it’s a fresh salmon barbeque. Mmmm!!