I was awake i think around 2 in the morning. I should have made our lunches or something because it was a bit frenetic right before we had to leave. We had to be at Ventura Harbour by 7.30am for a Ferry ride across to the Channel Islands.
Turned out no worries, but yeah we needed lunch, footwear, bathers and because we weren't prepared the best and had to be out the door by 6.45 it felt a bit tight. Thinking back, gosh it was dark. at 6.45 in the morning. It was just on the side of winter solstace by my reckonning as well.
The drive along the 101 towards Ventura in the morning was awesome. Just the fog and sun poking through trying to wrestle away from darkness. Felt good to be up but im glad i wasnt driving.
Ventura is filled with streets like Oyster Drive, Spinnaker Street, Barnicle Way. It was good actuially getting off the Interstate to see a bit more of Ventura than I had initially seen just hooning past on the expressway.
Ventura has masive harbours. We saw a huge boat called 'The Godfather' It was cold out, and we had to wait around a bit before we could get on the ferry. Once announced we realised that there must be kids camps on or something because the boat was packed with young teenagers who must be going on camping trips on the Channel Islands.
Part of Ventura's massive harbour
Santa Cruz Island is the 2nd island from the right.
As we got out into open water it started to get really cold and rough. Mssive sea mists. Also god it was funny. Classic Californian surfer dude driving the boat - sounded sort of like Jack Nickolson come to think of it. But all I could think of was 'Stoner'. Yeah that's it his voice was a cross between Jack Nickolson, Casey Casum from the old America Top 40 show they used to play on FOX, and the dead guy from Sincity.
We sat up top and had breakfast burijitos and saw a fat kid polish off a donut in quick time (this was before 9 am mind you). Apparantly there are whales and dolphins about and we all got really excited when the boat stopped. Everyone rushes to the sides to catch a glimpse, but the reason why the boat had cut its engines was to stop and pick up balloons. Sherry dozed on my shoulder. Then out of know where Santa Cruz Island just appeared in front of us. Off we got at Scorpion Beach (hoping that there were no scorpions around).
No wonder the island popped up so quickly.
The fog gradually rolled out on the north side of the island in time for the start of our kayaking. It was amazing how things heated up quickly. Our guide, Evelyn, was lovely. Originally from Alaska and then Portland. She told me about the Portland Trailblazers who were constantly speeding around the streets.
I was a bit worried for Sherry as it sounded like there was a fair chance we would capsize. So after putting cream on, wet suitting up! (Barney style), donning our life jackets and putting on our helmets AND going through safety we were ready. Evelyn showed us how to get back in the kayake if it tipped. Plenty of slithering apparantly and centering your balance over the kayak. She also said that sometimes rocks can drop so don't look up.
Sherry and I got in first in our tandem kayak. Sherry in front and she had to get in first.l She had trouble getting in at first because the water was too deep. Once in we were right! As Shez said 'I'm so proud that we didn't fall out'. Sure we didn't go absolutely gung-ho as the others but we had fun and tested ourselves. We also saw some amazing scenery and wildlife.
The funniest thing was Sherry asking me after 2 hours of paddling 'So what side do we turn if i paddle on this side?'. Too bad. We had already gone into some caves and dodged some rocks. Whew! As we paddled around it was weird how one side was really really choppy, foggy and wet - while the other side was smooth sailing, sunny and calm. The funniest thing was Sherry asking me after 2 hours of paddling 'So what side do we turn if i paddle on this side?'. Too bad. We had already gone into some caves and dodged some rocks. Whew! We even got to handle a starfish. It was cool how one side it was kind of like valcrow and how it changed shape depending on how it was held. As we paddled around it was weird how one side was really really choppy, foggy and wet - while the other side was smooth sailing, sunny and calm.
'The elephant' The first cave we went in was called 'The Elephant' because you had to pick a path either left or right. It looked easy but when you get in amongst it you realise its hard going. You just get pushed and pulled making it much harder to stay on course.
The second cave we went in was cool and pretty huge...sort of like getting in close to a rockband at the big day out. All you can see is the band and the stage - no sky. Anyway Evelyn went in real deep (she went deep deep DEEP undercover) to check out how far she thought it was safe for us to go in. She discussed the best path with the group and the girl from New York went that way, as she did out of nowhere a swell came in and dumped her. That was an eye opener for us all. Sherry and I gave her our boat to lean on while Evelyn went and rescued her kayak. Apparantly seals sometimes set up shop in that cave too.
We even got to handle a starfish or 'Sea Star'. It was cool how if you layed them upside down on your skin they would kind of attach. When you oull them off its kind of like Valcrow from those old Trax sneakers. They were big Seastars too. It sort of changed shape depending on how it was held.
The toughest one Sherry and I attempted was on the calmer, eastern side. But we still hit the rocks twice as we went in and decided to turn round. There was one cave that we went in where Evelyn said you need to be a confident back paddler sa you had to wait for the appropriate moment to go through the gap at the end. ie/ the water level needed to be high enough otherwise the kayak would get stuck. Only Aaron and his girlfriend (who never paddled apparantly) went through.
I'm glad we didnt go through that one as Evelyn came back to us and suffered her first ever 'dumping'. Same as with our New York friend - the water or swell just rose and got nasty. I remember light green colours in that cave. When we were at one cave SHerry made a joke reminiscant of something from Molly's repertoire, which was in response to Evelyn's informative facts about the rocks being 200 million years old. Sherry said 'Wow, finally something older than you'. I laughed out loud in an exaggerated fashion that was really embarassing. As Simon said when we picked him up the following day 'all rocks are 200 million year old' That's just what rocks are. Show me a rock that was made yesterday and then I'll be impressed' hahah so true.
Anyway, I was actually glad to come ashore when we did. Paddling is hard work on the upper arms and shoulders. I got changed and actually took off my wet undies behind the lockers. We then had lunch and chatted for an hour or so which was nice. Hahaha I remember someone asking 'How many foxes are there on the island?' Evelyn replied '355'. However, only half an hour ago i asked the same question and she said 'oooh about 300'. So I said 'Geez their growth rate is bloody quick'.
Oh yeah. I also showed them cricket. hahah a demo ball with a big run up complete with fake rubbing the ball on the creams.
Happy to have the earth under my feet.
In the time we had left before the return ferry, Sherry, the N.Y girl and i went for a quick hike on on e of the tracks. She is way faster than us. We thought a quick hike meant distance wise, not how fast you walk. Geez she motored on. She was obviously way fitter than us and I remember puffing while trying to hold a conversation with her.
Up the top of the hills i spoke to a guy who taking photos for a tour group. He was from Toronto so we had a quick yack about the Raptors and the anus that is Vince Carter. Sherry told the NY girl stories about the 'Ambushing Koalas' who would jump out of trees at you.
One of the caves we kayaked too. Plus a good view from here.
Sherry, NY girl, and me.
Scorpion Beach
We made it back to Scorpion Beach with enough time to say our goodbyes and thanks for a great day before climbing aboard the return ferry.
Evelyn and Muz. Thanks mate!
Sherry fell asleep pretty quickly on the table (well, head on the table), while i looked at the passengers. One had a gay white brimmed bowler hat on. The captain was still talking in his slow stoner voice which was not as funny as it was before kayaking. You could tell he loved his job, and a pretty good salesman too, talking about the donuts, ice-creams, sandwhiches, people starting relationships by snuggling up with the person next to them. Good on him I say. Glad he's doing what he loves.
Happy Anniversary - Let's get home and sleep.
When we got back to Ventura the fog had rolled right into the harbour. W ejumped in the car and headed back to Santa Barbara pretty quickly as we wanted to catch the college football game. What a shambles! Sherry checked the net and found out that the game started at 6 pm, which it had just ticked over to), so she had a quick shower and we drove down. The lights were on, but nobody was home!
So we went back home and checked and Sherry had been looking at the wrong date. Oh well. So we got dressed up a bit better and headed out somewhere nice for tea. Only problem was it wasnt that nice. The bread and soup was nice. But the pasta and wine were crap. The pasta consisted of 2 minute maggi noodles - so much for homemade. Also, the lemon lime and bitters i ordered was intially made with soda water instead of Sprite. That was the nail in the coffin.
We were both tired and grumpy, so we were glad to get back home. Sherry went to bed while I watched the 6th, 7th and 8th Innings of Game 3 of Phillies v Rays. Oh yeah - While kayaking it was couples counselling. Coloured boats and helmets depending on how your relationship was.
hmmm. i dont remember that part as well as I did immediately afterwards.
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