Valentine 3-day Weekend... Super busy....

To start my long weekend, mom and I went out whale watching for the day. We were just going to go out on the morning trip, but it was too nice of a day to skip the afternoon trip, plus we had a friend going then too. It was so nice, that I was able to sit outside for the morning trip, and most of the afternoon trip... I've only been able to do that on trips out of Newport Beach. :)

We encountered two northbound Gray Whales right off the bat. They are one of the "early birds" heading back to their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea off of Alaska from Baja. Did you know that the Pacific Gray Whales have the longest migration than any other animal? They do of approximately 12,000 - 16,000 miles, which they do every year from Alaska to Baja. They go to Baja to have their babies in the safe, warm waters (lagoons).

After getting some good looks of the Gray Whales, we headed out towards Anacapa Island in search of more whales, and any other wildlife. We found my friends; the Common Dolphins. I got to get some good looks of them, and I heard a few squeaks (them talking).

We went to the east end of Anacapa Island to view Arch Rock, and go down the backside to see all the birds and California Sea Lions.

The afternoon trip was a little more difficult to find whales... We came upon a small, spread out group of scouting Common Dolphins heading east down the east end of Santa Cruz Island. That was a beautiful site to see with Santa Cruz in the background all green.

Captain Dave got word that there might be whales further west off of Santa Cruz Island, so we headed in that direction. I got to get good looks of Scorpion Harbor (Scorpion Ranch). Mom plans to bring me here this year - I can't wait!

Passing along some sea arches along the edges of the island...

All along Santa Cruz Island are blow holes like this one. This is actually a small one, but very cool.

The tide was pretty low near Potato Harbor where I saw these colorful Sea Stars bunched together hanging out. It's not the best photo, but I still wanted to share it.

This is Potato Harbor. You can hike here from Scorpion Ranch, which I will do when mom brings me out here... Well, I will cruise the hike in my hiking stroller, while mom does the actual hiking. :)

And still no whales... Captain Dave was making the announcement how just some trips, no matter how hard we try, we just don't see any whales.

As Dave was preparing to turn around...... "A BLOW"! And then another one and another. There were three VERY SHY Gray Whales slowly heading east along Santa Cruz Island nearer Chinese Harbor. Once they realized we were there, they became even more shy and started doing what is called "snorkeling".

We ended up seeing two other whales in the area, and another one that was breaching just outside the harbor. It was a gorgeous evening on our way back.

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Sunday, the day before Valentine's and my party at school, I had so much to do to get ready for my school party. I had to go shopping for cupcakes that I was making, cards for all my friends, and still had to do my homework, plus a few other things. I really enjoyed it!

And of course, I had to stick my hand in one when mom wasn't looking... She had to remove the frosting, and re-do it.

Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day!

Mom went out whale watching on Valentine's and she saw Transient Orca CA-199 and a small group of Pacific White Sided Dolphins..

Here are links to some of mom's photos:

Gray Whales : http://www.creativefreedomphotography.com/f953252668

Dolphins: http://www.creativefreedomphotography.com/f1004849134

Sea Lions: http://www.creativefreedomphotography.com/f747320141

Santa Cruz Island: http://www.creativefreedomphotography.com/f758194903

And her blog that she has posted a photo or two every week: http://www.creativefreedomphotography.blogspot.com/

Hi!

A few weeks ago, mom took me to her work where she volunteers at one day after I got out of school. I had a short day, the weather was beautiful, so off we went down to the Ventura Harbor to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center. I got to meet some of the people mom knows there, works with.....

In this photo, the building in the background is mom's work; the Channel Islands National Park Visitors Center. It's a lovely building and has been redone inside that was completed over a year ago. It's really cool...

I went through the door and into the bookstore part of the center. In here you can learn sooooo MUCH about the animals, history, hiking & camping on the islands and see a lot of marine life in the sea tank. Oh, and as you will see in the photo below, there is a full size Elephant Seal statue. It's HUGE! There is also a replica of the Pygmy Mammoth that was discovered on Santa Rosa Island in 1994.

Here is a Sea Star that is in the sea tank. It's a beautiful tank with lots of Sea Stars (Blue Knobby Starfish & Bat Starfish), Surf Perch, Lobsters, Sea Cucumbers, Horn Shark, Garibaldi Fish, and others. On some days when they feed the marine life, there are live Mussels.

They have lots of books including one of moms' favorites' Islands of the Blue Dolphins, souvenirs, and so much more. Carolyn is always bringing in new items.

From the bookstore, you can go out the door to the breezeway area. This is a really cool part as there are models of each island; Santa Barbara, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa and San Miguel. You can see where you can go on each of the islands and the names of the different points, beaches. There are panels above each island that has a lot of information about each one.

During this time of year on Anacapa Island, the baby Gull chicks are running around everywhere with their moms being very protective of them. Mom went out to Anacapa Island a week in a half ago. Some of the chicks had just hatched to where others were already about 3 weeks old. Here are some of the photos:

At the other end of the breezeway is the auditorium where they show a movie about the islands in the National Park. It is only 20 minutes long and makes for a nice break from standing/walking, and you get to learn a lot and see what the islands look like. :) Sea Lectures are held once a month here in the evening, free and open to the public. Each month is a different topic.

Next part of the visitors' center is taking the elevator or stairs up to the Observatory Deck where on clear days you can see the islands. The views are spectacular. Unfortunately, the day I went, the fire in Santa Barbara was still quite active and made the view of the islands quite hazy, but I did capture some nice views of Ventura. Below is me up on the Observatory deck. Oh, I have my blinky sandals...

When I face the ocean, off on my slight right is this scene. I did zoom in order to get a closer look and miss the Visitors Center. :)

A little more to my right and made the camera view wider, you can see part of the top of the Visitors Center.

Then to the back of me are the park ranger boats.

Then to my back-left is the harbor and harbor village. It is a lot of fun to walk through the harbor village and Andria's is a great place to eat. Grandpa, grandma and mom love to eat here. I like to come because that means I get to be outside for quite a long time and go for a nice walk. :)

On my left is the village, parking lots, and part of the coastline.

And then my front-left is more parking and the coast line. You can barely see Anacapa Island in the far distance.

I will have to go back on a clearer day and get some photos of facing forward and of the islands.

The next photo is Island Packers; who is the concessionaire for the National Park. They offer a variety of trips out of Ventura & Oxnard harbors. Trips to the islands for day use and camping, whale watching, North shore wildlife cruises, harbor cruises, a few specialty cruises. They are just a block down from the Visitors Center in the Ventura Harbor. Everyone is really nice. Mom has thoroughly enjoyed her days out in the channel with them, and they have enjoyed her photos. They are open year around. Island Packers (805)642-1393.

Walking along the harbor.....


This lovely memorial is on the other end of the harbor next to Andria's.

Hope you all enjoyed my little tour of a great place to visit. If you haven't been, I highly recommend spending an afternoon or even a full day there. The Harbor Cove Cafe next to the Visitors Center is a great place for breakfast and lunch.

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Thursday is my last day of 7th grade. Then on Monday, I start summer school for 4 weeks. Yeah! Grandma is coming up on Friday, and we are going to go get pedicures. I really need one for summer. Mom is leaving on Sunday for San Juan Island for a week, so grandma is staying with me.

Next post is about my day shopping with Cubby Bear, seeing the movie Hannah Montana over memorial weekend and well who knows what else I will end up doing by then... :)
Until next time........

Kayla