Winter in the Channel Islands

Tortuga · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:07 pm Post subject: Winter in the Channel Islands

This last week I was able to get a break in the weather and take the boys out to Anacapa Island. February is a beautiful time of year -- though it did take us three tries! A couple weeks back I thought we had a break in the Santa Anas (the East Winds which blow sporadically October through March). But, as we approached the Island it was really blowing -- and an on-shore blow at that -- so we couldn't approach the Island.

Then, we had beautiful weather -- we watched all week as the sun shined, water was flat, wind was calm. Finally, we got up early Saturday morning and found that the coast was shrouded in fog. Winter fog is not common, so we were pretty bummed. We waited, and as the fog cleared we headed out. But, as we approached the shipping lane it was clear that the fog wasn't going to lift, so we turned back. I don't gamble with the ships -- they have house odds...

But, Sunday, the fog thinned, and we tried again -- success! The fog burned off, and we had a great trip.

Click on the photo below if you're interested in seeing the album!

Cheers!

Matt

sportner · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:36 am Post subject:

Looks like a great time, beautiful photos, thanks for posting.

colobear · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:54 am Post subject:

You're right, that's what it is all about. Thanks.

Dreamer · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 1:16 am Post subject:

Matt,

Great photos of the island. Best of all are the photos of those great kids having fun! They'll remember those good times the rest of their lives. Good on ya brother!

Dora~Jean · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:52 am Post subject:

Matt,

Very excellent photos and story. I've been to all 8 of the islands off our coast, Anacapa and Santa Cruz possibly in the hundreds of times. I had to take 2nd looks at some of your photos to make sure I knew exactly where they were snapped. You captured the essence of Anacapa and the fun times with kids, love it, great job and thanks for sharing.

We have several down here in SoCal, maybe we can get together on some joint ventures, doubles the fun!!!

C-Pelican · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Thanks for sharing Matt.

I am a salt water-aholic and very familiar with Cat but haven't been to the Channel Islands yet but your pics will make me work harder to do it this year!

Jeff

SEA3PO · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:55 am Post subject:

OK Matt.... Load the boat and come with us tomarrow to Lake Mahave...for the weekend....should be nice there too.... Sue and I are going a day early just so we can have a day before everyone else arrives.... (Thurs.)

Joel
SEA3PO
Camarillo

Tortuga · Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

A group trip out to Santa Cruz Island would be great fun. Maybe Painted Cave --an easy ride from Santa Barbara Harbor. Or, maybe head from Ventura to Prisoners and then do a coastal ride up to Painted Cave and back. Maybe when Joel gets back from Lake Mohave? (Wish I could make it with you but unfortunately -- or in this economy, fortunately -- I've got to work).

Painted Cave is the largest sea cave in the world -- You can see a great map of the cave HERE.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:07 am Post subject:

There are many of us going to Lake Mohave, including me! Will be there Thursday - Monday. Many of us have been to the Painted Cave many times (myself in the 20's), but seems brand new on every trip there because the conditions are never twice the same.

That's a great picture of the cave you found, very difficult to get light to penetrate that far to see the inner rooms.

Doryman · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:56 am Post subject:

Someone took me in there (Painted Cave) 20-30 years ago, on an inflatable, and I freaked out. I don't like caves (a big of claustrophobia, I guess) and I kept thinking the tide would rise and trap us in there. I think the sea lions were roaring too.

Warren

Tortuga · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 10:58 am Post subject:

SEA3PO · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

We are on our way this morning !! There's still time....Call in Sick... just Sick of work or whatever.... the weather looks super...what great fun !! even the dog is excited !!

Joel
SEA3PO

C-Hawk · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:11 pm Post subject:

Matt-
Your shot of the cave is a lot clearer than mine- I had an old camera and the dink was rocking.
We'll have to get a few boats together and spend a weekend at the islands--- hopefully I won't roll the dink again Embarassed

Tortuga · Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 7:06 pm Post subject:

Actually, the shot in my post above was found on Google Images -- my shots are also pretty uneven.
Here's a videoclip of the entrance that I shot. Low resolution -- but it gives the feel of it pretty well.