Thursday, March 19, 2009

"A Whale of a Day"

Hello Everyone.....

Okay...... So I haven't been updating as often as I should be, but that is not my fault... Blame mom... I kept telling her I needed to update my blog, but she has been so busy, there just isn't enough time in one day to do everything that needs to be done.... So, I apologize for not staying in touch more often, but I have been doing GREAT and keeping busy myself.

Saturday, March 07 was "A Whale of a Day" at Rancho Palos Verde. Mom and I left the house at 7am; 2 hours later than mom wanted to, but it was still a nice hour to leave.... Mom decided to drive down Pacific Coast Hwy 1 in hopes of seeing some whales and just have a beautiful morning drive down. :) No matter what way we went, it was fine with me because I was just so excited to finally get out and go on a road trip.. :):)


Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

We made our way through Oxnard and onto PCH 1.. A straight away, a few turns and then the open coast line around the last turn and there they were...... 8 separate Grey Whale blows on their northern migration back up to Alaska. Mom pulled over, of course, and we tracked them for about 30 minutes. Lots of blows, a couple of pairs and a few tail flukes.. All in all, it was a beautiful morning and there ended up being 12 Grey Whales - older kids and adults. The mother and calves have not started their migration north yet, but should in April.

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

After 30 minutes mom finally decided to get back on the road and told me to keep an eye out for more whales.. I made sure, I covered all options for seeing them including looking out the left window towards the mountains a lot. :) Mom kept telling me to look towards the ocean, and I did for a few, but always turned back to the mountains. I told mom that I was making sure, I didn't miss seeing one ANYWHERE.. :)

We saw a couple more blows, but nothing exciting. Grey Whales are a little shy and do a lot of "snorkeling" behavior due to their being predators out there after them. Although these are the adults and older kids, they can still be hunted by their predators; Orcas, especially if they are weak.

Arriving in Rancho Palos Verde at the Interpretive Center on the point (farthest points off of California Coastline), the weather was beautiful and perfect. It was a small "A Whale of a Day", but very much catered to children. Lots of crafts to make, which I made a plate, got my hair and face painted, received a passport to get 7 stamps in it (like a treasure hunt), story time on the patio, band, whale watching from the point with the counters and took a nice nap on my blanket on the grass.. It was great. In addition, during lunch time sitting at the picnic table along the cliffs, we saw a couple of gray whales within a 1/2 mile off shore. I played Elmo for them. I think that's why they came in so close, so they could enjoy it more. :)

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

You can see my passport around my neck in the photo above. I had to collect 7 stamps to complete it. I had 7 clues to go find the stations where the stamps were at. At one station, I had to learn about the different kind of owls and large birds. They were beautiful..

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Another station was the main Interpretive Center. Lots of info on marine life and Chumash Indians. I really enjoyed the different lighting effect and the large wall images and statues.

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell


During my nap, this handsome little guy kept coming over to check on me and told mom how cute I was. His words, "She is soooo adorable". "She is soooo cute".

Copyright 2009 Michele Wassell

Mom and I stayed until sunset before making the journey back home via the freeway. Good ole 405 and 101...

Point Vicente Lighthouse

C.2009 Michele Wassell

I was going to post my St Patty's Day photo that mom took of me before I left for school, but my images are still in the camera, so I will do that this weekend...

Have a fabulous weekend... Thank you all for your previous comments....

Love,
Kayla