Channel Islands NP and Orange County, CA trip

Hi folks. Just back from my trip. For those who haven't kept up w/ my blog, I went to Southern California for a business trip and bought DW along and we made a mini-vacation out of it. After we arrived we were amazed at the beautiful mountains arond the city that were all as tall as Smokies.

Tuesday, after my class, DW and I took the convertible (sweet!) down to Cystal Cove SP, walked around the beach ,watched the tidepools and the sunset. This is the nicest beach I have ever been to (and that includes the Gulf of Mexico, the VI, Jamaica, and quiet afew places on the Mediterranean). Perfect surf, rocks, cliffs, not alot of people, very clean (except the odd peice of kelp). I wish I had played hooky and spent the day there.

The next day we made a stop at the Santa Ana REI and tried to buy fuel for the Coke Can Stove (smallest size was 32oz ) but we found some nice Sierra Designs rain jackets and REI packable pillows instead. Then we headed north to Ventura, CA and to McGrath State Beach and set up our camp. The campground was practically full and crowded. However, the sites were still semi-private w/ hedges between sites. The sites each had tall fire rings and picnic tables. The bathhouses were filthy and suffering from alot of deferred maintenance and had pay (coin-op) showers ($0.25 got you 2 minutes of hot water). The way to the beach was a a bit of a problem as the nearby Santa Clara River has now started moving into the CG and has flooded the trail to the beach. To get around the flooded areas requires about a half mile trek over loose sand then a makeshift log bridge crossing. The beach that we arrived at was a let-down compared to the day before (tons of driftwood and some trash). However this beaches claim to fame is as a bird-watching destination, and it did'nt disappoint in that regard. Lots of waterfowl species were present includes terns, sandpipers, cranes, as well as the more common gulls and pelicans. We later figures out why the firerings were so tall as the wind howled after sunset and a lower firering would have showered the whole campground w/ sparks.

We awoke early Thursday morning and ventured over to the chilly Ventura Harbor to the Island Packers ferry. As soon as we left the harbor we came upon a bouy cover w/ sea lions. Then as we neared the dropoff for the Santa Barbara Channel we saw a solitary shark near the surface, and then dozens of common dolphins that swam and surfed on our waves. We arrived at the Prisoner's Harbor peir then met w/ our naturalist-guide Laurie, who guided us onto the TNC side of the island for our 4.6 mile round-trip to Pelican Bay. The trail led up to the original lookout for the island's ranch. Then over several hilltops and canyons (all dry since it hadn't rained since March) some even required scrambling. We arrived at the Bay and saw Tinker's Beach where the original Peter Pan silent film was made. Then we climbed up to the top of Pelican Bay and had a lunch of cheese, crackers, pepperoni, wine and cookies.  Then we returned to Prisoner's Harbor, and we saw a large Island Jay on the trail.

 Pics: http://www.alatrails.com/photos/thumbnails.php?album=54