Elusive California National Parks part I

Post 39

After some quality time in Northern California with Becky’s family we jettison off again on our own. As a massive and diverse state it comes to no surprise that California tops the list of states containing the most National Parks out of all the states in the lower 48. However, what is surprising is that it also surpasses the number of parks that Alaska holds within it’s goliath borders. Yes, believe it or not, that behemoth state that lies partially within the arctic circle that is known for it’s majestic beauty falls short of containing more National Parks than California. Alaska, a state larger than the next largest states combined(Texas, California and Montana) fails to top this list. California’s nine National Parks outnumber Alaska’s eight National Parks by only one. Which is great for us because we happen to be in California right now and not Alaska!

Out of these nine National Parks in California, Becky and I had yet to visit just two of these national treasures. Thankfully this tribulation was remedied this week. Departing from the palm tree clad Ventura Harbor we set off on an early morning ferry which shuttled us across the Santa Barbara Channel. Wildlife was abundant even before we set foot on any of the five islands of the National Park. Jostling for space on a swaying buoy, festively plump sea lions lazily enjoyed themselves as they soaked in the early morning rays from the sun. A pod of what seemed like a million common dolphins skillfully surfed the boats wake and playfully chased each other across the shimmering waves. Also far off on the horizon at least two unidentified whales could be seen spouting air and saltwater from their powerful blowholes.  

Once safely across the channel we departed our vessel and stepped ashore on the island of Santa Cruz, the largest of the five islands. Wasting no time we set off on a eight mile loop hike taking us to one of the highest peaks on the island. Our ferry had taken an hour and a half to reach the island, so by this time the merciless sun was beginning to raise high into the sky. As we trotted up the dusty trail the few trees by the harbor and visitor center gave way to tall shrubs 

and the tall shrubs eventually to short stunted shrubs. The cool ocean breeze that had been our friend at the lower elevations down by the boat had abandoned us. This was truly a barren desolate landscape. Each tan chalky hill we summited blended into a similar parched brown hill further and higher along. I would have done anything for a break in the relentless sun, but like the refreshing breeze the few clouds in the sky and resulting shade had also apparently renounced us. 

For me, what made the hike entirely worth the hardships was the view once we reach the ridge line. The string of islands due East formed a queue of rugged islets branching back towards the mainland. Due to haze, pollution or simply particles in the air, the coast in the distance seemed to float on the horizon; giving an appearance of a lush oasis just out of reach. This distant scene might as well have been a mirage because it was utterly unreachable in the sweltering conditions we stood in while taking in the picturesque view.