Channel Islands National Park
It’s an early morning and we need to catch a ferry to Santa Cruz, one of the islands of Channel Islands National Park. The ferry ride is beautiful, but a bit chilly, longer than Josh would have liked. There are 5 islands, in the National Park. We chose Santa Cruz because we can sea kayak. Amber is a bit nervous. I am just excited!
After a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride we finally arrive, and the first glimpse of the island is beautiful. I am excited for this national park because I have never been to a park like this one, an isolated group of islands. Maybe we can pretend that we are on the TV show Lost. Nah, I don’t want that much adventure.After arriving on the island, a ranger provides an orientation. Primarily, he tells of two diseases you can contract on the island: Hantavirus and Lyme disease. Hantavirus is deadly and nasty. Recently, Gene Hackman’s wife died from it. The main way to contract the disease is by smelling deer mouse poop. The kind ranger tells us not to sniff poop droppings. I can honestly say that was not what I was planning to do.
Our first activity is a two mile hike up to Cavern Point. After an initial steep climb it is a beautiful hike atop a cliff along the coast. I imagine the island resembles Ireland (never been there). It’s beautiful.
After a packed lunch, it is finally time for kayaking. Again we get a wonderful orientation on all the ways we could get hurt or die kayaking in the sea. Amber is not a bit nervous anymore. It has definitely increased. I remind her that she does not have to go, but this is Amber. She wants to do everything with her family. She is strong willed. A little fear will not stop her. The 2 1/2 hours on the sea are fantastic. The water is perfectly clear. You can see orange star fish, colorful (bright purple) sea urchins (which are dangerous to touch), fish, and again sea lions. The water is chilly, but the sun is warm. The highlight, however, may be kayaking through 5 sea caves. Amber kayaks with Josh and I with Eli. Kayaking in pairs can be tough. You have to work together, paddle on opposite sides and the same time to go forward, etc. Why is it so difficult to work together? The kayaker in the back (Amber and I) steer and act as the captain. The kayaker in the front (Josh and Eli) is the scout, looking for obstacles. We actually had four captains in two boats. Neither son thought their parent was steering the boat well.
For most of us, it is natural to want to be the captain and give directions instead of take directions. I believe this is why true Christian leaders may be rare. Moses, the prophets, the disciples (after the resurrection) are all followers before they are leaders. In fact humility and a desire not to lead often are characteristic of a true God given leader. To truly be a Christian leader, you must first learn to follow, and that is difficult. As a pastor, I know that the allure of leading is a temptation itself. Many pastors, may enjoy being a leader too much, enjoy their opinion too much, and subtly miss God’s leading. On this day of sea kayaking, none of us were great followers. We were all captains. However, besides the guide, we definitely were the best kayakers of the group. Our boats ran into less trouble, needed the guide less, than the other kayakers. Go Amber!!!
After kayaking and changing into dry clothes, we had 1 1/2 hours before the ferry home not enough time for another hike. However, at this point there is still one disappointment. On Santa Cruz is the island fox. We were told several times how they are abundant. Thus, you will surely see one. Amber loves seeing animals on trips. Of course she wants to see the dangerous animals from a safe distance. Her favorite sightings are the cute, furry little creatures. Before the trip, Amber was excited to see these foxes, but as of yet, no luck. As we enter, the kayaking camp, our first island fox is sighted. Next thing I know, Eli and Amber are gone as they chase the fox to get a good picture. This just wets their appetite. We travel into the campground area, a common place for fox sighting looking for camper food. Here, we see a few more of these foxes. I must admit they are cute, adorable looking creatures. At one time their population was scarce, and they are still on the endangered list. But overtime, their numbers have increased. This specific fox species can only be found on these islands. Amber and Eli got a few good pictures.
As we walk through to the end of the campground, we find a picnic table revealing the beauty of the center of the island. We sit here and rest until it is time to go back to our ferry. Again, this is how I imagine Ireland to look. As we leave, we must have worn both Eli and Josh out because they fall asleep on the ferry back to the mainland.
Today was a wonderful day, full of things I had never done: sea kayaking and hiking on an isolated island. It was all wonderful and beautiful.
After a 1 1/2 hour ferry ride we finally arrive, and the first glimpse of the island is beautiful. I am excited for this national park because I have never been to a park like this one, an isolated group of islands. Maybe we can pretend that we are on the TV show Lost. Nah, I don’t want that much adventure.After arriving on the island, a ranger provides an orientation. Primarily, he tells of two diseases you can contract on the island: Hantavirus and Lyme disease. Hantavirus is deadly and nasty. Recently, Gene Hackman’s wife died from it. The main way to contract the disease is by smelling deer mouse poop. The kind ranger tells us not to sniff poop droppings. I can honestly say that was not what I was planning to do.
Our first activity is a two mile hike up to Cavern Point. After an initial steep climb it is a beautiful hike atop a cliff along the coast. I imagine the island resembles Ireland (never been there). It’s beautiful.
After a packed lunch, it is finally time for kayaking. Again we get a wonderful orientation on all the ways we could get hurt or die kayaking in the sea. Amber is not a bit nervous anymore. It has definitely increased. I remind her that she does not have to go, but this is Amber. She wants to do everything with her family. She is strong willed. A little fear will not stop her. The 2 1/2 hours on the sea are fantastic. The water is perfectly clear. You can see orange star fish, colorful (bright purple) sea urchins (which are dangerous to touch), fish, and again sea lions. The water is chilly, but the sun is warm. The highlight, however, may be kayaking through 5 sea caves. Amber kayaks with Josh and I with Eli. Kayaking in pairs can be tough. You have to work together, paddle on opposite sides and the same time to go forward, etc. Why is it so difficult to work together? The kayaker in the back (Amber and I) steer and act as the captain. The kayaker in the front (Josh and Eli) is the scout, looking for obstacles. We actually had four captains in two boats. Neither son thought their parent was steering the boat well.
For most of us, it is natural to want to be the captain and give directions instead of take directions. I believe this is why true Christian leaders may be rare. Moses, the prophets, the disciples (after the resurrection) are all followers before they are leaders. In fact humility and a desire not to lead often are characteristic of a true God given leader. To truly be a Christian leader, you must first learn to follow, and that is difficult. As a pastor, I know that the allure of leading is a temptation itself. Many pastors, may enjoy being a leader too much, enjoy their opinion too much, and subtly miss God’s leading. On this day of sea kayaking, none of us were great followers. We were all captains. However, besides the guide, we definitely were the best kayakers of the group. Our boats ran into less trouble, needed the guide less, than the other kayakers. Go Amber!!!
After kayaking and changing into dry clothes, we had 1 1/2 hours before the ferry home not enough time for another hike. However, at this point there is still one disappointment. On Santa Cruz is the island fox. We were told several times how they are abundant. Thus, you will surely see one. Amber loves seeing animals on trips. Of course she wants to see the dangerous animals from a safe distance. Her favorite sightings are the cute, furry little creatures. Before the trip, Amber was excited to see these foxes, but as of yet, no luck. As we enter, the kayaking camp, our first island fox is sighted. Next thing I know, Eli and Amber are gone as they chase the fox to get a good picture. This just wets their appetite. We travel into the campground area, a common place for fox sighting looking for camper food. Here, we see a few more of these foxes. I must admit they are cute, adorable looking creatures. At one time their population was scarce, and they are still on the endangered list. But overtime, their numbers have increased. This specific fox species can only be found on these islands. Amber and Eli got a few good pictures.
As we walk through to the end of the campground, we find a picnic table revealing the beauty of the center of the island. We sit here and rest until it is time to go back to our ferry. Again, this is how I imagine Ireland to look. As we leave, we must have worn both Eli and Josh out because they fall asleep on the ferry back to the mainland.
Today was a wonderful day, full of things I had never done: sea kayaking and hiking on an isolated island. It was all wonderful and beautiful.
