"Eureka! You've found me!" Royal63's Profile

I was born in 1963 and raised here in Eureka, California. Eureka is a small city on the north western coast of California. It is about 2 hours drive south of the Oregon border. Eureka is well known for its year round fresh seafood, Victorian architecture and wonderful tall Redwood trees.

280 miles north of San Francisco, the City of Eureka remains one of California's best kept secrets. The city is bordered on one side by beautiful and functional Humboldt Bay, and on the other by mountains lush with redwoods which offer a reminder of the area's rich logging heritage. The community's roots since the 1850's were in the timber and commercial fishing industries. Eureka is continuing to successfully transition to a broader economic base, and today enjoys its position as the governmental, commercial, industrial and transportation center of the region. The city's 26,128 residents reside within the 17 square miles of the City limits which also serves as the County seat for Humboldt County. Eureka functions more like a city twice its size due to its regional center status and the fact its service area population is about 50,000.

Founded in 1856, and proud of its history, Eureka has emerged to become an incomparable combination of big-city sophistication and small town charm. With all of the amenities, but few of the problems, Eureka offers an excellent quality of life. Housing is very affordable by California standards. The average price of a house in Eureka is $213,500 and the housing stock includes a wealth of attractive Victorian homes. There are good elementary/secondary schools coupled with quality institutions of higher learning - College of the Redwoods and Humboldt State University. A variety of cultural opportunities are available, including active artisan, arts, and theater groups. Outdoor recreation is abundant with activities such as boating, sport fishing, hunting and backpacking all available close by. Among other important attributes Eureka offers are a relaxed way of living with friendly neighbors, traditional values, and an excellent family environment.

I love to travel. I have been to Hawaii 3 times. Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. The Big Island is my favorite.
I was in San Miguel de Allende (Guanajuato), Dolores Hidalgo and Pozos (Mineral de Pozos) May 6-16 and again Dec. 17-27, 2004.
I have been to Disneyland in southern California, 4 or 5 times. I have also driven to various parts of Oregon and Washington.

This picture of me is taken in front of a horse campground about an hour south of Eureka. I own 4 horses, 6 cats and a dog. I have been married since 1994. My dog, Thor, is next to me. Thor is part German Shepherd, part Chow. He is 10 years old.

LCI(L) 1091

Laid down (date unknown) at Defoe Shipbuilding Co., Bay City, MI.
Launched (date unknown)
Commissioned USS LCI(L)-1091, 21 September 1944
During World War II LCIL-1091 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the:
Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns Campaign and Dates
Okinawa Gunto operation
Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, from 28 April to 30 June 1945
Minesweeping Operations-Pacific
Kochi-Shikoku (Honshu area), 8 to 16 September 1945
Nagoya (Honshu area), 28 September to 25 October 1945

Following World War II LCI(L)-1091 performed occupation duty in the Far East, from 2 September to 16 December 1945
Redsignated Landing Ship Infantry (Large) LSIL-1091, 28 February 1949
During the Korean War LSI(L)-1091 participated in the following campaigns:
Korean War Campaigns Campaigns and Dates Campaigns and Dates
North Korean Aggression
13 March to 21 April 1951 Communist China Spring Offensive
22 April to 20 June 1951
Communist China Spring Offensive
22 April to 20 June 1951 Second Korean Winter
9 February to 20 March 1952

Converted to an Epidemiligial Control Ship in 1951
Decommissioned at Astoria, OR. in 1955
Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
Sold for commercial use as a salmon cannery ship on the Yukon River in Alaska from1961 to 1985
Purchased by Dr. Ralph Davis in 1988 and moved to Eureka, CA. where she fished Albacore from 1995 to 2003
Current Disposition, donated to the Humboldt Bay Naval Sea/Air Museum at Eureka, CA. in December 2005
LSIL-1091 is currently the flagship of the USS LCI National Association and will be open to the public as a memorial ship in the spring of 2006 while she is undergoing restoration.
LCI(L)-1091 received two battle stars for World War II service and as LSIL-1091 received four battle stars for Korean service
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Specifications:
Displacement 236 t.(light), 264 t.(landing), 419 t.(loaded)
Length 158' 5½"
Beam 23' 3"
Draft Light, 3'1½" mean, Landing, 2' 8" forward, 4' 10" aft, Loaded, 5' 4" forward, 5' 11" aft
Speed 16 kts (max.), 14 kts maximum continuous
Complement 4 officers, 24 enlisted
Troop Capacity 6 Officers, 182 Enlisted
Cargo Capacity 75 tons
Armor 2" plastic splinter protection on gun turrets, conning tower and pilot house
Endurance 4,000 miles at 12 kts, loaded, 500 miles at 15 knots; and 110 tons of fuel
Armament five single 20mm guns two forward, one amidship, two aft, on some LCIs two .50 cal machine guns were added
Fuel Capacity 130 tons, lube oil 200 gal.
Propulsion
As Built - two sets of 4 GM diesels, 4 per shaft, BHP 1,600, twin variable pitch propellers
Current - two GM 12V-71's w/reverse gears, BHP 800, twin variable pitch propellers are now locked.
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So the next time you are in Eureka and you would like a tour of this awesome ship, email me! I am part of the crew.

Carson Mansion

One of the most written about, and photographed Victorian houses in California, and perhaps in the United States, the William Carson Mansion epitomizes the range of possibilities for eclectic design expression that created a peculiarly American style of architecture. Derived from many sources, but unique enough to represent none predominately, this much discussed and debated property stands today in virtually the same condition as when first constructed. The designers, Samuel and Joseph Newsom, were well respected San Francisco architects who heartily embraced the concept of the "picturesque", a quality that continues to fascinate all who see the Carson Mansion's intricately composed interiors and exteriors.
Prominently sited [143 M Street], the extensive grounds provide a substantial pedestal for this sculptured edifice. Eye-seeking and shadow-producing surfaces showcase the use of wood as a building material. This three-dimensional "pattern-book" took over one hundred men over two years to construct. Its influence on the design of subsequent buildings in Eureka is readily apparent even today. In addition to the abundant use of redwood, Mr. Carson imported 97,000 feet of primavera or "white mahogany" from Central America, along with other woods and onyx from the Philippines, East India, and Mexico. The elaborate interiors include stained glass, plasterwork, and carved ornaments in exotic woods.

The Carson Mansion was owned by the descendents of William Carson until 1950, when it was sold to the Ingomar Club.
From Eureka: An Architectural View

*I've eaten there once, by invitation. The food was incredible and walking around was like stepping back in time.

California coast

If you want to go to a beach, there are many to choose from. Some of the treasures you will find are sanddollars, shells, clams, driftwood, agates (shiny rocks), seaweed, and sometimes at the shore line, you'll see jellyfish. People can ride their horses on some of the beaches too. The water is cold, but on warm days, it can be very refreshing.

Campsite at Hidden Springs

Here is a typical campsite in the campground I work in during the months of May to September. (Go to "where I work").

Chandelier Tree

The Chandelier Tree is located about an hour south of Eureka.

Height 315 ft.
Diameter 21 ft.
Maximum Age 2400 years

My dog Thor and a Redwood tree

My dog is laying down near this tree. I left him there so you can get an idea of how large our trees are.