In the Forest, in Northern California

I have been in Northern California for about six weeks now, and here are some of the images that I’ve made during that time.


This image may be my favorite. I love the way the light is shining through the trees, and the way the road looks almost like a secret pathway…

  

here

  


Notice the baby ferns popping out of the side of mountain…


And yes, that’s a treehouse on the far right!


And finally, a shot of the iconic Crescent City lighthouse. I shot it from several angles, and then found if I walked out on the jetty just a bit, I liked the angle even better–and since then I’ve seen other photos of it around town, all taken from this exact same angle, so clearly it’s everyone’s favorite spot! Someday I’ll come back when there are clouds in the sky, or it’s sunset, and make a more interesting image of it, but I also like the sunny simplicity of the the one above.

Happy New Year!

The first day of 2018 was gloriously beautiful in Trinidad! The sun shone, and it was good…

Here’s to an excellent year ahead! Happy new year everyone!

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California
This shot looks like an ad for a car, and it made me wish I could get a shot of my own car in this spot? Maybe someday…

Trinidad, California

New Years Eve in Humboldt County

A crowded beach day in Humboldt County...
A crowded beach day in Humboldt County…

Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach

Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach

Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach

Moonstone Beach
Moonstone Beach

Luffenholtz Beach County Park
Luffenholtz Beach County Park

Luffenholtz Beach County Park
Luffenholtz Beach County Park

Trinidad, California
Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California
Trinidad, California

A Rainy Day in Trinidad, California

Looking south...If you come to Trinidad, just know that you’re more than likely going to encounter some wet grey days.

When the sun does come out, it’s glorious!

But you aren’t guaranteed sun every day, or even every other day.

Some days it’s just grey, and wet, and a little dreary…

And if I can find some beauty on those days? Then I know I’m doing something right!
Looking south from Houda Point
Looking south from Houda Point, towards Arcata and Eureka, California.

Ferns and Moss
Ferns and moss on the black rock this part of the California Coastline is known for.

Luffenholtz Creek access to the beach
Trinidad Head is almost completely obstructed by fog–you can just make out the base of it, in the distance. This was shot from the Luffenholtz Creek access to the beach below.

Luffenholtz Beach County Park
Above Luffenholtz Creek access to the beach.

Raindrops on Wildflowers
Raindrops on one of the few remaining wildflowers, even though it’s the middle of winter here.

There are still a few wildflowers left, even in December.
There are still a few wildflowers left, even in December.

Luffenholtz Beach County Park
Luffenholtz Beach County Park

Trinidad, California
Another shot with Trinidad Head almost completely hidden by fog, taken from the south.

Trinidad, California
I think this may be known as Camel Rock…

Carson Mansion and the Pink Lady

The Carson MansionCarson Mansion was built by Northern California’s first major lumber baron, and is arguably the most famous Victorian house in the United States. How many Halloween decorations have you seen, with a haunted mansion that sort of look like they were based on it?

It’s also one of my favorite houses, and I was super excited to see it for the first time, and even more excited to come back with my camera, and finally get some images of it.

Built from 1884-1886, the Carson Mansion is located in Old Town, Eureka, California, right on the water. It was the home of William Carson and his heirs until 1950, when the remaining family left Humboldt County. They sold the Carson Mansion to a private club for $35,000, and the Ingomar Club still exits today, and has done a wonderful job maintaining the house for almost 70 years.

The Pink Lady, sits across the street from Carson Mansion, and was built in 1889 as a wedding gift for William Carson’s oldest son. It too is a magnificent example of Victorian architecture, and is part Queen Anne, with some Eastlake, Italianate, and Stick features, and was designed by the same architects, Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom of San Francisco.

Carson Mansion, Eureka, California

The Carson Mansion

The Carson MansionThe Pink Lady, Eureka, California

The Pink Lady, Eureka, California

The Pink Lady, Eureka, California

The Carter House InnThe Carter House is a replica of the Murphy House, a home built in 1885 in San Francisco, which was lost in the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. The Carter House was constructed in 1982, using the original plans by Samuel and Joseph Cather Newsom, which had been discovered in San Francisco. Newsom and Newsom are the same architects who designed both the Carson Mansion, and the Pink Lady, and the Carter House is located just a couple of blocks away, in Old Town, Eureka.

Carson Mansion in 1902
This historical image was shot in 1902, by an unnamed National Park Service employee, and shows how the Carson Mansion looked almost 20 years after it was built. Eureka is still a great place to ride a bike!

Trinidad California, Before the Storm

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Trinidad Head, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Trinidad Head, California.

Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse

Trinidad Memorial Lighthouse // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Don't Park on the Beach // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsLittle Head, Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Probably the best plan is to just not park on the beach!

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsTrinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Little Head is the miniature cousin to Trinidad Head.

Must Love Fishing // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
These guys must love fishing to brave the wind and cold, and later the rain…

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
The pier in Trinidad juts out between Little Head on the left, and Trinidad Head on the right.

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Beside the pier, between Trinidad Head and Little Head is the tiniest sliver of beach…

Windansea // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Ocean Cottage // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Holy Trinity Church // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Holy Trinity Church

Trinidad Eatery and Gallery // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Trinidad Eatery and Gallery

Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast Hotel // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast Hotel

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Looking north, toward Pewetole Island, in Trinidad, California.

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
A very old boat, in Trinidad, California.

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Trinidad, California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts
Little Head from the pier, looking toward the bay.

December Wildflowers // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Lavender Festival at Highland Springs Resort

The Tenth Annual Lavender Festival was held the last two weekends at Highland Springs Resort in Cherry Valley, and I’d never been before, but I love lavender, so I decided to drop by on Sunday. I had no idea what to expect, and it was much grander than I could have imagined!

Set on a 2400 acre ranch of mostly pristine California land, the property contains a working organic farm and the Grand Oak Restaurant and Bar. And the “grand oak” referenced in the restaurant’s name? It’s on the property as well, and is at least 1100 years old. A massive old oak, it’s trunk is burned on one side, evidence of a fire or two in the past. But it’s still strong and healthy, despite the damage. Just like the state of California!

Butterfly on Lavender // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

I loved this butterfly so much, I cropped the image on the left below, to get the larger version above. But if I was ever to print it, I would print the full frame below really big, so the butterfly would really stand out!

Butterfly // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsLavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Tourists pose for photos at the Lavender Festival // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Festival-goers posing for photos in the middle of the lavender fields.

Olive Trees // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Lavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsLeaves of an Olive Tree // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Olive Tree Leaves // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsGrowing Lavender in Southern California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

The Grand Oak // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

The Grand Oak at Highland Springs Ranch // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsOak Tree Branch

Burned Grand Oak // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsThousand-Year-Old Oak Tree // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Sage Brush in Southern California // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Bee in the Sage Brush // Photo: Cheryl SpeltsSheep at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Southern California Lavender Farm // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

Rows of Lavender at Highland Springs Resort // Photo: Cheryl Spelts

I concentrated mostly on the ranch itself – it’s so beautiful! But they also had booths with all the products they make from the lavender, lots of food, live music, and a lovely place to sit under a canopy of trees and just soak up the atmosphere!

And when I got home? I got a call that I had won a $25 gift certificate to their Grand Oak Restaurant and Bar!