Humboldt State: It's A Cosmic Journey



Arcata, CA -- If you're looking to deepen your relationship with nature and are open to using both your left and right brain hemisphere, I recommend you attend the Cosmic Vision Workshop at Humboldt State University.  Not only is this the best deal in town at $15 for 15 hours of lecture by ridiculously energetic and uber-intelligent Professor Stone Brusca, it's downright entertaining.  The photographic images of galaxies, atoms and Gaia he shows cosmicians are worth the price of admission, alone.  Be prepared to have your mind blown open.  Me and my twin, who lives in a parallel universe, both loved the class.  It's a cosmic journey.

Arcata: Holly Yashi Jewelry

Arcata, CA -- My favorite jewelry in the world is made in Arcata—the company is called Holly Yashi. Their signature metal is a lightweight material called niobium like titanium but much rarer.  When niobium is dipped in an electrically-charged bath, the refractory metal turns into a rich rainbow color, resulting in one-of-a-kind necklaces and earrings.  

            The story of how owners Holly Hosterman and Paul “Yashi” Lubitz began their company goes back to 1981, when they were searching for creative ways to use their degrees. Holly, who majored in studio art with an emphasis in jewelry-making, and Paul, who graduated with a double degree in industrial technology and music, knew they wanted to work together. Combining their talents to lay the foundation for what would quickly become a successful jewelry business they transformed their one-car garage into a design studio and started their lifelong career with Holly Yashi.  They just celebrated 30 years in business. 

            If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift that will wow your mom, I recommend Holly Yashi.  Tell them the Humboldt Honey sent you. 

El Portal: Rafting the Merced River

El Portal, CA --  The Merced River picks up at the West Entrance to Yosemite in mid-spring alongside  Highway 140, five miles from El Portal.  The snow melt is only a few hours old—low 40’s and ready to give Class III and Class IV rafters the ride of a lifetime.  If you're looking for adventure and appreciate a tremendous landscape, I recommend you explore the Merced River with the Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions.  Tell them Operation Goldfish sent you.

Mariposa: Gold Rush Town

Mariposa, CA --  If you were near the small Gold Rush town of Mariposa in 1849, you would have seen over 3,000 gold seekers from around the world, peering at every pebble in Mariposa Creek.   Mariposa was the southernmost mine during the Gold Rush.  The first gold was mined near where it was found—the American River.  Mythical stories of picking up gold nuggets while walking near the water’s edge are epic.  Here, the operation wasn’t placer, but rather subterranean—deep shafts tunneled into the Earth to depths of 200 feet.   On display at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum a few miles out of town near the Fairgrounds is the Fricot “Nugget,” a rare and beautiful specimen of crystallized gold discovered in the American River in 1864 weighing almost 14 pounds. This specimen is the largest remaining intact mass of crystalline gold from the 19th century.  The value? Two million dollars.  Go west young man, go west.

Pessagno Winery: Salinas Valley Gem

Salinas, CA -- I’m always enchanted when I discover a new part of California.  So when my college roommate whom I’ve known for 30 years said, “I’m taking you on the River Road Wine Trail in the Salinas Valley—John Steinbeck country,” I happily agreed to go.  The spring day was 68 degrees as we drove by agricultural fields that stretched for miles.  Farmworkers were harvesting broccoli and cauliflower in front of a stunning backdrop of the low-lying Santa Lucia Mountains. It looked like our fairy godmother had sprinkled ice plant blooms with a wand, just in time for us to gasp at the display of vibrant pink and purple blossoms.

We spent the afternoon at PessagnoWinery where owner Steve Pessagno joined us for a glass of wine, engaging us in conversation ranging from the benefits of owning a winery, “great lifestyle, good friends, wonderful wines,” to the downside of abundance, “it’s a challenge to maintain a slim waistline,” to the way of the universe. 

I said we were made of the same stuff as the stars—carbon atoms.  He of course knew better.  After all, to be a winemaker of his caliber he understood chemistry.  He corrected me with some gobbledygook about the alchemical process of transformation that involved helium, hydrogen and free neutrons that even now I can’t recall.  Still, we were in agreement.  We are the universe and the universe is us.  Cheers!

Yogananda: Self-Realization Center

Pacific Palisades, CA -- Before I left the grounds at the Self-Realization Center, I saw a sign cast amidst a clump of orange daylilies.  It was a quote by the Yogananda that captured the essence of his spirit. “Everything else can wait, but our search for God cannot wait.” -- Paramahansa Yogananda.
Thank you dear Yogananda for sharing your divine wisdom with this spiritual seeker.  Namaste.

Rodeo Drive: Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA -- When I was little, I loved watching the Beverly Hillbillies, falling in love with the Clampetts who struck oil, calling it black gold, Texas tea.  Since now they were rich, they moved to Beverly Hills—swimming pools and movies stars.  It was a natural for me to visit the shopping capital of the world, Rodeo Drive, a three-block district of high-end stores with designer names like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Tiffany & Co. and Chanel.  But I never did run into the Clampetts, only tourists.