Behind the Curtain 31: Pot Peddlers, Touring Humboldt – October 8, 2010
Sharon Letts
Eye Correspondent
Jill put a scoop of beans into the grinder.
“What’ll we have this morning?” Andrea asked.
“Peru Perla Andina Microlot, from Sacred Grounds.”
“Not from Sacred Grounds – they brought it to us,” Jill chided.
“Alright, Peru. It’s from Peru,” Jill said grinding the beans. “But it was chosen by our very own, Sacred Grounds, and roasted to perfection in Humboldt just for us.”
“So, what’s the adventure today?” Andrea inquired, removing the tray from the kitchen cupboard. “How’s your pot biking tour of Arcata coming along?” Andrea set the tray on the table and began cutting up bud.
“I’ve decided to call it, ‘Pot Peddlers,’ what do you think?” she asked.
“That’s funny, what’s the first stop?”
Here’s the list and a map,” Jill said, spreading a map of Arcata on the kitchen table. “How does Cafe Brio on the Plaza sound? I mean, there are so many places we could start, but doesn’t a Croissant Bread Pudding with some of those Neukom peaches sound yummy? They are in season now.”
“I want the homemade muesli with peaches,” Andrea said, passing the pipe to Jill. “Let’s start at Brio, for sure.”
“After Brio, we ride over to Humboldt Patient Resource Center on Sixth Street to see what’s new – maybe a sativa for energy – then to the Co-op for munchies, then the Marsh. Or we can make our way out to the North Jetty down Samoa Boulevard, depending on how your energy holds up,” Jill said.
“That may be a full-day trip – pun intended,” she laughed.
Andrea laughed along, and said, “The marsh is all I may have energy for. If you write one up for the Jetty, a big meal at the Cookhouse would be in order.”
“I suppose riding bikes home from the Cookhouse would be warranted, but a cab home might be more realistic after a pig-out like that!”
More laughter ensued, as the couple made plans for the day ahead of them.
“What about another trip up to the Community Forest? Where ever we end up, I’ll bring my camera. Can I shoot Arcata Scrap and Salvage across the street from the Marsh? Maybe make a list for picture-taking too?”
“Good thinking,” Jill made notations on the list. “I need to start making another list of things to bring, things to do, to see…”
“Binoculars, blanket, sunscreen, water bottles, hat, papers or pipe?” Andrea asked.
“It’s up to the person, I think,” Jill said. “Maybe rolling joints ahead of time is the best thing – less to pack, less to haul home. After the Marsh or the Jetty, I think the tour should end up at Scoop back in town, what do you think?
“Scoop, for sure – ending the day with more of Neukom’s peaches in ice cream!” Andrea said.
“Ice cream, for sure!” Jill agreed. “Can’t get enough of his peaches! But, I think the tour should end up at the Finnish Country Sauna.”
“What about a massage by a 215-friendly therapist?” Andrea offered.
“Great, I’ll have to do some research on that one. So much of this is don’t ask, don’t tell right now,” Jill added. “Maybe all I can do is suggest, or make these little tours just for us until the world is ready?”
“Will the world ever be ready?” Andrea said, loading up the pipe one last time.
Sounds like a good day ahead of us,” Jill said, packing up the papers and some bud in a small, zippered pouch. “Who knew having a 215 card could be such an adventure?”
Note: This week’s story was inspired by the travels of journalist and publisher of online zine PotAppetit.com, Ed Murrieta, currently touring the Green Triangle and beyond in search of 215-friendly establishments and cool places to hang-out.
