Best Of Humboldt — Staff Picks
— Andrew Goff
BEST DAY HIKE
Some folks head inland for the heat. Others translate “day hike” as several hours climbing switchbacks for a moment of glory at the summit before racing downhill to beat the encroaching darkness. But the best day hikes celebrate Humboldt’s defining characteristics — redwoods, cliffs, ferns and Pacific — while leaving time for a picnic upon arrival at the destination.
Prairie Creek’s Ossagon Trail stretches a mere 1.8 miles each way, but with enough elevation change to make your thighs burn and enough beauty to cause your heart to sing. Four hours roundtrip — you’ll sweat enough to know it’s a “hike,” not a “walk,” yet have plenty of time for food and play. Layers, grilled veggie sandwiches and homemade cookies recommended. Celebrate, then reward yourself with a nap on the postcard-worthy beach. (Park at Ossagon Trailhead off the northern portion of Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway.)
— Jennifer Savage
BEST PLACE TO HORRIFY A VEGETARIAN
Right across the street from the looming salmon behemoth of the county jail is one of the best and most affordable places for steak in the county — AA Bar and Grill. You can get a head start on your next heart attack with succulent top sirloin, ribeye or porterhouse steaks, cooked to your specifications while you enjoy a cocktail or brew. There’s also a deal for two steaks, which makes it ideal for a carnivorous date.
The Quonset hut sports bar atmosphere makes no concessions to the modern day. There’s a tropical fish tank in the middle of the bar to gaze at if you don’t have company, and an outside patio for smokers who’ve decided to completely throw caution to the wind and give the American Heart Association the middle finger.
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Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
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NINE Comments
Comment / By jordan rollins / Sept. 10, 2009, 11:09 a.m.
i must say that i too love that jacob nunes from dutch bros. hes a keeper for sure!
Comment / By Tim Daniels / Sept. 10, 2009, 6:20 p.m.
I concur with the choice of best single-track. I think it’s some of the best single track trail in the country. Of course, my opinion is heavily biased.
Comment / By M’Aerie / Sept. 12, 2009, 12:19 p.m.
yes! Jacob Nunes from Dutch Bros is a wonderful young man and I so much enjoy his enthusiasm, his singing to the loud tunes, and his memory of what I like to order. He takes one look at me in the morning and knows if I want decaf or regular. What a darlin!
Comment / By Carol Ballard / Sept. 12, 2009, 7:09 p.m.
Where is the best reason to live here?
Comment / By Ryan Burns / Sept. 13, 2009, 5:44 p.m.
It’s in the readers’ picks section, Carol.
Comment / By Carol Ballard / Sept. 13, 2009, 9:27 p.m.
Thanks!
Comment / By BTP / Sept. 16, 2009, 6:58 a.m.
This was the most entertaining, funny, and interesting ‘best of’ i have ever seen! Well done! Thanks to NJC for trying to remind people why we all live and love here. I wish the Times-Standard would write like this….
Now, if only Mike Dronkers would call me and discuss how I can get paid to report on the happenings between Trinidad and Orick! Mike?
Comment / By Bill Moehnke / Sept. 18, 2009, 3:57 p.m.
Thanks Jennifer for proclaiming the library “Best place to be seen”! I would like to point out, however, that the library owns a copy of “Party girl”. You can check it out for a week with a valid library card.
Comment / By wendy / Jan. 5, 10:30 a.m.
Best Bar in eureka is The BOILER ROOM!!! Lots of booze, frendship and single people!