Behind the Redwood Curtain

By Blenna Kiros and Diana Martinez

Rain in the Pacific Northwest It is no secret that it rains a lot in the Northwestern part of California. Between October to March, the county’s coastal cities receive an average of 55 inches a year (National Weather Service, 2000). While rain can be stunning for some people, it can have the opposite effect on others. The rhythm of its natural sound may bring some comfort temporarily, but when one experiences torrential downpours and light drizzles interchangeably, for months, it is not uncommon for one to feel fatigued and unmotivated. Such were our respective dispositions when we initially settled in Humboldt County. With the lack of sunshine, our moods made a downhill shift that prevented us from acculturating smoothly. We felt clouded by our inability to normalize living in rain. The rain restricted our movement and limited the time we spent outside which left us with feelings of sadness and depression. But as we eventually found healing in the effervescent cities and hiking trails of the Pacific Northwest, we developed a love and appreciation for the rain and found healing in our communities and in the natural environment.

What is the Redwood Curtain? The Redwood Curtain is a term often used by the local communities in the Pacific Northwest. It refers to the rows of coastal redwood trees found in the Northernmost corner of California. The Redwood Curtain marks the beginning of a temperate rainforest enveloped with small coastal communities distant from any metropolis.

Quaint City Design and Community by Blenna The gloom that came with living in the Pacific Northwest challenged my ability to feel happy. Almost every day I woke to dreary grey days punctuated by sudden downpours that lasted minutes or hours. I easily lost sight of this melancholic reality as I developed connections with my surroundings and found a community. I cultivated the simplest of relationships with people around me solely by virtue of living above a Mexican restaurant in the heart of Old Town (OT) Eureka, a historic town settled on the edge of Humboldt Bay. OT is a small scale mixed-use city that shares a compact space occupied by housing combined with shops, galleries, bars, restaurants and cultural landmarks (Rise, 2020). In other words, all my activities took place within OT, and that offered me an important lifestyle option because all my movement was centralized. Although Eureka was often cloaked by fog and skirted by the Redwood Curtain*, the town’s visual and functional diversity was inherently stimulating and effective in helping me maintain a dynamic mood. Its vibrant art scene and eclectic Victorian architecture made it a lively place to hang out at all hours of the day (see figure 1b). Just by working and grocery shopping locally, I interacted with many people from my neighborhood. I was constantly greeting familiar faces, making small talk and eventually developing some sort of relationship with them (see figure 1c). For example: When I ordered from the restaurant downstairs, the staff would usually extend their hospitality by bringing the food up. Some people even created a relationship with my dog. It was oftentimes my neighbors or employees from local shops who were eager to pet him or give him a treat.

Photo: A glimpse of sunshine near College Cove, by Diana Martinez

When I didn’t want to be in OT, I could get away by simply walking up to the shore of the bay, biking to see a friend or taking the bus to neighboring towns. In short, I enjoyed living in OT. My world seemed like a small place because “I lived where I worked and played where I lived” (Rise, 2020).

Benefits of Nature by Diana It was a dream to wake up every day surrounded by giant trees that connected to the sea. I watched flocks of birds passing in the sky and saw the change of the seasons from summer to autumn as the Earth moved slowly. I often wonder what made me enjoy nature so much. It must have been my curiosity. Or was it from going to the beach and finding solitude?. Or was it from seeing bees fly from flower to flower on my walks? Or from seeing leaves change from yellow to green? Or was it the movement of the trees? Or was it from hearing heavy downpour rain accompanied by the sound of frogs and crickets, or from witnessing owls and giant full moons? Or was it from being at the top of a mountain and seeing a vast ocean below? Or was it the indescribable beauty of the Redwood Curtain? I believe my deep love for nature comes from all of these experiences. Nature has had a significant impact on my wellbeing. It’s helped me find peace within myself and create a more balanced lifestyle. Looking back, living inside of the Redwood Curtain was one of the most beautiful times of my life. It made me realize the importance of living in the present moment; to slow down, take a second out of my busy routine to see that the new season began, to pay closer attention to the flowers that grow in the cracks of rocks or sidewalks, and notice the night sky’s different movements from stars that appear to welcome the moon and light up the clear night sky. Nature can help someone discover their passion, and it can awaken someone’s inner child and sense of curiosity. Spending five to 10 minutes outside can help create a more balanced lifestyle. Outdoor activities can improve memory, reduce stress and improve fitness. Spending time outdoors is shown to activate various parts of your brain, such as picking up patterns in trees or flowers, engaging more intensely your sense of hearing or smell, and bringing joy. Nature can be found anywhere. It can be as far as you can imagine or as close as your window. Even if it is just for a short second, I invite you to look up—you might discover something no one has ever seen before. After adapting our lifestyles to the environment, the rain was no longer a factor that minimized our movement and impaired our mood. What was ironic about living in a rainy place consisting of a mixed use city surrounded by a pristine natural landscape is the fact that we experienced more mobility in our day to day, yet concurrently had a reduced carbon footprint. We drove less and explored more. It’s almost as if being outdoors and moving around freely inherently generated happiness. Like the Redwoods, we bloomed in the rain which is why the majesty of the Redwood Curtain holds a special place in our hearts.

Literature Cited

Brad Daniel, Andrew Bobilya, & Ken Kalisch. (2021, January 05). Spending time alone in nature is good for your mental and emotional health. Retrieved January 23, 2021, from https://theconversation.com/spending-time-alone-in-nature-isgood-for-your-mental-and-emotional-health-92652

Logan, A. C., Selhub, E. M. (2012). Your Brain On Nature: The Science of Nature’s Influence on Your Health, Happiness and Vitality. United Kingdom: Wiley.

National Weather Service Corporate Image Web Team. (2000, January 01). California Nevada River Forecast Center. Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https:// www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/monthly_precip.php

Rise, C. (2020, August 25). Mixed-use neighborhoods: What are they, and what are the benefits? Retrieved February 21, 2021, from https://www.cambrianrisevt.com/ mixed-use-neighborhood-faqs/

Schimelpfening, N. (2020, March 25). What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Retrieved January 27, 2021, from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-isseasonal-affective-disorder-1065408