A Return to a Sorrowful Friday

Marking the beast with rain, like a lumber jack marking his trees before the cutting begins, the thunderheads swooped in silently. Hours later Jupiter threw down his mighty bolts, lit up the sky, screamed toward the ground and shook every inch of land, air and sea for miles around.


[Shafts of rain warn the beast what lay ahead]

Shafts of blue lightning have shown their face once and for all this calm winter, reminding its dwellers below of the unrestrained power only possible above.

Seven Falls Afternoon

Yesterday afternoon my roommate and I took the opportunity of the gorgeous day and headed into the Santa Ynez Mountains to visit Seven Falls.


[Autumn leaves in winter]

Our trek by the creek and through glens was attainable north of the 101 after the Mission exit. We followed Mission until we arrived at Foothill, took a right and then took a left at Tunnel.

If you ever visit, bring some swimwear. You'll find perfectly clear pools and gentle waterfalls to cool down in.

An Ocean Sandwich With Spanish In Between

I went to a church on Sunday, just as the man upstairs intended. I didn't "attend" church as most Christian and Catholic families do on Sunday mornings, however. Instead I went for a feast, skipping right to the dessert to divulge my sight in a Santa Barbara landmark.

That was only the second of three entertaining events that took place yesterday. The day began and ended at the ocean, the first on the open sea south of Santa Barbara Harbor. Thanks to the UCSB Leisure Review I enrolled in a four day sailing class spanning two weekends for the total price of $65. That, my friends, is a bargain if I ever found one. I learned all of the primary vocabulary used in sailing and from day one I was able to sail a "dingy", a small 14 foot sailboat.


[Number 5 in full wind]

My girlfriend and I carried out our last sail session for the course yesterday in the open ocean. Stubborn currents, intimidating swells and winds worthy of Aeolus put our 14 foot sailboat to the test, almost capsizing it during one of our tacks.


[Facing Santa Barbara Harbor]

After taming the sail for two and a half hours and a quick stop at El Pollo Loco to recharge our batteries, my girlfriend and I exited the 101 at Mission Street and headed north to the Santa Barbara Mission.


[Church facade at Santa Barbara Mission]

The self-tour, at a modest four dollars, exposed us to Spanish history, artifacts, architecture and paintings, which were largely influenced by the flat perspectives and deep colors of the Byzantine style, which also largely influenced Late Gothic Italian painters.

After a stroll through the garden at the center of the mission, my girlfriend and I headed into the church. Dimly lit, with ambient choral music and a serenity which laid to rest every bone in my body, the church supplied me with childhood memories of playing Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, specifically in the Temple of Time where a sense of peace was always established.


[Church interior]

Concluding with the cemetery we headed to El Capitan State Beach west of Isla Vista, north on the 101. If you ever visit El Capitan State Beach I suggest taking the second northbound exit, where you'll find free parking and a short but beautiful drive from the freeway to the beach.


[Tidal rainbow]

At the time of our arrival, about ten past four, Santa Barbara had about a negative 2 foot tide, which allowed for fun times finding shy starfish, hand-sized mussels and monstrous sea anenomes.

Long the day was, but relaxing none the less. Stay tuned for more adventures in Santa Barbara County.

Shy Tides Withdraw From Sentinel Cliffs

As if invading the privacy of the cliffs too long, the ocean decided to give the cliffs room to breathe, and with a reclusive approach too, receding almost half a foot below normal sea level today. In fact, tomorrow the waters off Santa Barbara intend to recede a full foot, should be a good show.


[Shy tides below nature's walls]

The sandy shores are an obvious change from early January's rocky floors.

Nifty site:
Head over to the California section of Saltwatertides.com and put in your area and date and you'll get an idea of when the low tides are occurring.

Santa Cruz Island, Pleasant Trails

Yesterday morning a buddy and I had the incredible opportunity to visit Santa Cruz Island in the morning via Island Packers from Ventura Harbor.

Although the day began with heavy gray skies, our one and a half hour journey off the coast of Ventura wasn't all ocean water and clouds. About two-thirds of the way toward the island we were visited by a pod of dolphins which appeared to happily surf along side our boat.


[Dolphin off the shores of Ventura]

Sunlight broke through just above the island as we approached the desolate coasts I often observe from the cliffs of Isla Vista during moments of serenity.

Unfortunately, the east side of the island, property of the National Park Service, was closed for pig eradication. Forunately, I was given the opportunity to journey on just a bit of trail from our landing point at Prisoner's Bay toward Pelican Bay with the company of a naturalist from the Nature Conservancy, which afforded me a taste of the island's remoteness and complete lack of civilization - beautiful. The Nature Conservancy owns the west 76% of Santa Cruz island.


[View from Santa Cruz Island hills]

Open hikes will once again be permitted on Santa Cruz Island once the east side of the island is reopened March 20th, 2006. Click here for more information from the National Park Service on Santa Cruz Island.

Jesusita Trail Northeast of Isla Vista

What existed before paved roads? The serene and gentle trails carved throughout the mountain sides, of course.


[Shrubbery on Jesusita Trail]

Away from the noise, from the traffic, from the rat race of it all you'll find nature in its most complacent form. The Santa Ynez Mountains can give you more breath for your lungs than words can tell.

Illuminated Clouds Bed w/ Ominous Thunderheads

Random clouds in the sky brought rain upon Isla Vista today.


[The beast beside January rain]

On another note, props to the Jason Campbell Band last night at 6507 for getting our dance on.