The Spirit of Humboldt
Getting into the Spirit
Tao Ryce, Bassist for NPK
Most small towns are sleepy but ours are action packed. The Southern part of Humboldt has, according to the Redwood Times, a population of around 15,000 with its two “major metropolitan” areas reaching the grand total of about 2000 inhabitants each. Yet, this last month has included multiple lightning strikes, catastrophic fires, an invasion by 450 FBI agents, a visit by the King of Jordan and, of course, our ever present passionate discussions about how to deal with our modern day Prohibition and the environmental and economic fallout that results from marijuana’s illegal status.
Our tiny little Art Deco movie theater kept the action up this last Thursday with a wonderful event. Local band, NPK opened the house to a passionate crowd of fans for the shooting of a new music video. Fans from babies to elders rocked and clapped to the beat while cameras rolled. The energy grew more passionate until finally many members of the crowd surged onto the stage and joined the band in singing, swaying and tambourine playing.
Outside, the full moon hovered high over the tiny streets. Other than the theater, lights came from only the grocery store and the gas stations. Only one stop sign interfered with the main road through town. Yet, cars still paused to allow pedestrians to cross where needed rather than where indicated by crosswalks. Small groups strolled through town laughing and chatting. People gathered on corners and leaned against buildings moving slowly and savoring the perfection of the weather.
Nearby, the Jordanian king dined in one of our best Inns surrounded by security guards and guns. I hope he and his wife had a chance to step outside alone and wander the quiet night in peace like we did for, like the crowd in the theater, many of the people of So. Hum are passionate souls ready to get into the spirit of the moment but most of them, like me, paused on their way home to enjoy the moon and clouds lighting quiet landscapes of trees and meadows.
How did we manage the best of both worlds here?
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Okay, maybe the excitement hasn’t all been exactly fun but at least it isn’t boring here.
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this image is incredible
I think I would like that area; hopefully the pup and I can make it down there someday. He’s from Eureka, which I think spoiled him from ever loving long hot summers, heh.
One of these months, we should try for a blogger picnic (or even brunch) at Benbow.
Thanks, Elizabeth. I was playing around and ended up with this shot and loved it.
Elaine, that sounds fun. I would like to meet you.
That shot could be a magazine cover, Kym.
…but, even when the excitement level isn’t quite as high, I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
Great photo – maybe NPK would like it for an album cover.
It’s amazing how much there is here. I’m with Elaine. Blogger Party!!!!!! I would love to meet you guys.
Think we can get Kristibal and Boy Most Likely to… to show up?
Dunno about the party idea. I don’t look this good in person.
Isn’t there a blogger’s picnic in Scotia in Sept.? It keeps changing dates so I haven’t been paying close attention to the details.
I would love to pull the center of gravity down to southern Humboldt if we can. On the other hand, nothing says we can have only one party/picnic!
Boy and I are always up for a party, especially when it involves a road trip. Jen, we’ll pick you up on the way.
Love the photo, Kym.
SWEEEEEEEET! How do we find out about the Scotia picnic? And if it’s in Southern Humboldt, I’ll take the time.
Kristabel, I’d love to get “picked up’ by you, though my husband may object.
Then let’s not tell him, Jen. ; )
The Benbow Inn blog confirms it was the King, and his brother and son. No Queen. No word on where they went after that. I can’t tell if WordPress allows coded links, but here goes a try:
,a href=”http://www.benbowinn.com/blog/2008/07/his-majesty-king-abdullah-ii-of-jordan.html’>Benbow blog
Dang it.
http://www.benbowinn.com/blog/2008/07/his-majesty-king-abdullah-ii-of-jordan.html
Ah! Automatic.
Elaine thanks for the link. I was surprised to see Benbow now has a pool.
[…] the King of Jordan comes to our little town, now a […]
[…] NPK, a favorite of mine, is a high energy band that rocks the house. Their fans range from grandmothers to toddlers. Both my sons like them. More than just another musical group, they are a socially conscious band that has raised more than $60,000 doing benefits for nonprofits in the area. […]