Last weekend Lulu, Pat and I packed up the toys for a weekend at Santa Cruz Island. Prior to leaving for the weekend trip, John Lindsay (local weather icon) announced that the central coast was about to get battered with high winds and swell. Not such good news, when you are about to embark on a boat trip to the Channel Islands.
The weekend started on Friday at 4:30 am when I quickly gave the steering wheel up to Pat Patten, who was something 0f a madman amped on coffee. As a result of his caffeinated state of being and discussion on world economics, the laborious 2 hour morning drive went by swiftly. It went even more swiftly for Lulu, who was resting her eyes in the backseat.
So, to make a really long story short: the wind at SCI was absolutely ridiculous! Thankfully this only lasted from Friday to Saturday, but it’s strength and random gusts keep us second guessing our steps along the majority of the 12 miles of hiking we did the first day. We were stoked to finally wake up on Sunday to slack winds and a flat, clear ocean. Finally, we were able to launch the kayaks and do a hunting along the shores of SCI. Notable observations within the 30 feet of visibility included a couple of lobster-saurus’ who had a stronghold on large crevice, a couple of medium sized rays, and a legal cabezon that thought he looked more like a rock than a fish.
P.S. No real pictures to attach as of yet. Amongst my frantic packing for Channel Islands, I argued with my alter ego that the camera case would not be brought along. So without a camera, I’ve relinquished responsibility of photo documenting to Lulu and Pat. Standby. (photo obviously inserted now. thanks for the patience.)
So, I’ve been to a lot of weddings this year, but John and Lacrissa’s has probably been the best so far. John and Lacrissa flooded the Refugio State Beach with family and friends from all around the country. One of my personal fav’s was the folks from Georgia, who subconsciously caused me to put a Georgian twang in my speech by the end of the weekend. Moreover, only a man from Georgia would try and pay off the State Ranger to keep the party rolling, only to realize what he had just done, and then decide to run from the law!! John and Lacrissa…..you guys didn’t miss a detail. Great food, great people, cool tent, campout, campfire, Chris on the mic, Alan running from the law. Loved it all.
One should never go on a fishing/surfing trip with expectations, but in fact, I have to admit that I did have some lurking in back of my mind before heading to Yakutat. Expectations like: catching the biggest fish of my life, a solid swell at an Alaskan point break, a boat load (literally) of halibut, and of course, getting a close encounter with a grizzly bear (I think 15 yards is close enough, don’t you?). Anyway, not to disappoint, Alaska stepped up and gave me all of these things and more. After it was all said and done, I couldn’t believe that trips like these work out so magically. It almost seemed like someone scripted some of the scenes. Remember that evening session at Point Carrew, Pat?
by Jon
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