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Channel Islands National ParkDec 9, 2007
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Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, CA
Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, CA
Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park, CA
| The weather gods must be looking out for me. Today was beautiful, although a bit chilly for Southern California, and I boarded a boat for Channel Islands National Park. It had been rainy and the wind so strong the previous two days that all cruises had been cancelled. I certainly have lucked out with the weather. We sailed out of Ventura Harbor for Santa Cruz Island, the largest among the Channel Islands. There are five islands within Channel Islands National Park, but boats sail to only two of them during the winter months. Although just an hour or two from the mainland, the islands have always been isolated, and many of the plants and animals there are found nowhere else on Earth. We searched for wildlife on the way to Santa Cruz and weren’t disappointed. We soon sighted several sea lions who were taking it easy on a buoy. I joined a volunteer naturalist for a hike to a beautiful point overlooking the water. I then set out on my own to try several of the other trails. One of these followed the coast atop the high cliffs to Potato Harbor, which has the most gorgeous turquoise water. The island is also home to the historic Scorpion Ranch, which is still privately owned. Over the years, the sheep had decimated much of the native vegetation, and the National Park Service is in the process of re-vegetating the island and protecting the native animals. While I was on the first hike, and later on the boat, I talked with a family of four. The parents are consultants and had decided to home school their children. They have traveled the country, visiting most national parks along the way. This is not the first family I’ve encountered that has chosen this lifestyle. What an incredible experience for the kids! I introduced them to the gnome, who made his appearance again today. The boat ride back to Ventura was the best. We sailed through a pod of hundreds, if not thousands, of dolphins and watched them frolic for at least 30 minutes. They are the most incredible creatures. Unfortunately, they were much too fast for my camera to capture, although I certainly did try. We arrived in Ventura for sunset, which peeked through the masts and palm trees in Ventura Harbor. |
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