MDRT 2006, Day 7, 8, and 9, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park

Our final destination of the week was Santa Cruz Island, of the Channel Islands National Park, with the Northern California Hikers. We met Paige, Karen, Candace, and Lisa at the Island Packers harbor early on Friday morning. It was cool and foggy as we loaded our gear on the boat and rode across the waves to the island. After about an hour a dock appeared out of the fog and we were at Scorpion Anchorage, with only a short 1/4 mile walk to the Scorpion campground.

We easily found our three campsites together and set up. The rest of the weekend was sunny, warm, and leisurely. We took a hike over to Smuggler's Cove (what, no pirates?) and sat around enjoying the luxury of coolers and picnic tables. We spent some time lounging around on the beach and tidepooling, and also had our share of wildlife sightings, including a Santa Cruz Island gopher snake that befriended David, some endangered Island Foxes, and we can't forget Henry the Seagull. All in all, a really tough weekend (ha!)

My photo album from the three days on the island can be seen by clicking on the photo to the upper left or here: Channel Islands.

Paige's awesome photos are here.