DAY 115 Wednesday March 9, 2011 ANACAPA MIDDLE SCHOOL
2.5 Miles +50 Feet
First of all, I am disappointed in myself for not stretching out on a long trail. It's becoming more and more difficult to reach the promise land. My wife has increased duties and requires my assistance. Thus, I met her up at Anacapa where Alyssa had soccer practice and helped out with the kids that she was watching.
I'm not complaining about this because I had a great time with all the younglings. We were doing pull-ups on the pull-up bars, running in circles and playing tackle and take down Jeremy. I am sorer from this event than I am climbing 2000 feet.
Anacapa was another new place for me along my 1000 hike adventure. The field is massive but to continue my streak, I had to go beyond. When Alyssa was done with soccer, we ventured off into the streets for donations. Along the way, we stopped by a house where a lady volunteers with Sealwatch. She had no clue about what we were doing and thought it was amazing and supported our efforts. Word is starting to spread around but we need help from EVERYONE! June 1st is creeping up soon and I am determined to keep the beach closed to protect these seals. If you are new to my blog and are saying, what is he talking about, please visit www.harborseals.blogspot.com
DAY 116 Thursday March 10, 2011 The Streets around Kimball
2.5 Miles +400 Feet
I printed a map of Ventura and I'm highlighting it to make sure I do not hit the same street twice. After playing at Kimball Park with the family while Alyssa had Viper Soccer Practice, Ayden and I set out to collect donations. We ventured up and above foothill to work out the legs for an elevation gain. I guess we set out too early because barely anyone was home. We came up empty in our pockets with 0.00 in donations. A couple people said that they would check out the website and possibly mail something in but as it stands now, I am more out of pocket on this than I am raising money. I had to file fees with the city and I have to pay the newspaper for the public notice. I've always been skeptical regarding non-profit ventures because a sizable percentage of the money goes to administration. **To assure you, I have next to zero admin costs. I am printing white paper flyers for very cheap and no one is getting paid. If you check closely, your largest non-profit companies have a payroll. It would be common that the person on top makes six figures. My intent is quite clear, save the seals! Moreover, Alyssa is very eager to be the boss and loves to work with animals. If I can make this program successful and after she retires from soccer, she will run this organization. I have enough on my mind for at least two decades to improve the park system.Maybe I’ll have to spend more money to bring in more money?This is trial and error but “there is no wrong way to do a good thing”, a quote from a guy at Sealwatch.I believe in that; I believe in this J
When I was young, my sister and I used to bury time capsules with the intent that we would go back years later and dig them up.Unfortunately, we were too excited and usually dug them up a day or so later.I used to draw maps to where they were buried and I wonder if I left any behind??Anyhow, I’ve been thinking about hiding treasure along the trails and input this into my blog.I then read a comment the other day and checked out the website.Wow, this is so me!My kids will love it but I think I’m going to love it more J!
In the days ahead, I will begin searching for some local treasures to confirm that they are really there.Once I truly understand how it works, I will begin my own geocache…
Day 114: Loma Vista off Kimball.On one side you have Juana Maria Park.Alyssa and I did not go there yesterday (Tuesday the 8th of March).Instead, we hiked on the west side of Kimball to collect donations; Thank You!We encountered a few people who were weary of us but our mood quickly changed when the next neighbor donated $20.00 and then the one after that took a large interest in what we are doing!She told me that her school goes up to Carpinteria every year to camp out at the state park and views the seals.She also sadly conveyed some horror stories of people abusing the seals but as activists, we are going to make a difference!
At the end of Loma Vista a creek like area drops down between the street and a large orchard.Alyssa and I found a small hiking trail.Being down there was a nice escape from the street and I wish I would have brought my camera!We found a platform in a tree made with 2 by 4’s.I wouldn’t quite classify it as tree house, but Alyssa confirmed that it was sturdy.The trail went further but then we heard a noise.It was dusk, I was hungry and Alyssa said, “Let’s get out of here!”
114 days in a row!I found a new place, nothing fancy, but hiked it nevertheless.For the day, we hiked a total of 1.75 miles (mostly on the street) and climbed about 50 feet of elevation.***Stay tuned for more about the geocache and thank you “BinksMommy” for commenting on this blog to suggest this J
If you are new to my blog, please note that I generally make my entries on the weekend. I update what I can when I can...
On Sunday Day 112, my family and I hiked around the streets of Downtown Ventura. I have pictures of the park and will update the blog at a later time...
Monday, Day 113, I hiked in neighborhoods for donations. Although this is not exactly a "trail hike", it does involve at least one mile, in this case 3--- and I always include some off road type exposure. Most importantly I am hiking at a new spot each day, which is the most difficult challenge of them all. I'm certain that when I complete 1000 days in a row, not one person in this world has ever stepped foot on new soil for 1000 consecutive days. Now that I found a good,... GREAT, cause to do this for, I am absolutely confident that I will complete my mission. Please help the seals by going to http://harborsels.blogspot.com
DAY 111: HARBOR SEALS, BY WAY OF CARPINTERIA CITY BEACH
Date: SaturdayMarch 5, 2011
Miles: 3.5
Elevation Gain: 100 Feet
Time: 2 Hours
Difficulty: None...
Reward: Found another way to visit the seals!
Description: Hiking along the beach--
Where: Carpinteria, CA
Directions: Take the 101 North from Ventura and exit on Casitas Pass Rd (one exit after Bailard). Turn left on Casitas Pass and right on Carpinteria Ave. You can turn left on Palm and take that to the end if you are interested in car camping at the state campground. Otherwise, keep on Carpinteria Ave for less than a mile and turn left on Linden Ave. Take Linden to the end and find a place to park. Parking is free for 2 hours.
PROTECT THE SEALS!
From the directions listed above, you will see this lifeguard station at the end of the road. Turn left and start walking along the beach...
At high tide, the beach is interrupted. The waves cover the sand and meet the creek. The water is less than a foot deep where the waves meet, but then it gets deeper if you walk away from the Ocean. Pretty cool...
For the adventure, we walked along the creek to the bridge and then back. This bridge leads to the campgrounds.
Tar Pits Ahead
Look close, it's a bird flying above the rock and waves!
The end of the "usable" beach. During low tide, you could skedaddle around the rocks. You probably could do it at high tide too. It would look like VIDEO: Day 27 "Ayden versus the Wave". Ayden and I encountered a similar situation in Ventura, but this rock at high tide was not worth the risk. We turned around to head up the bluff by the tar below:
The view on top was quite pleasant. There was an easy walking trail atop the bluff. Nearing the end, we peeked over the edge:
The beach on the other side of the rock
A stop sign in the cove!
If you are daring enough to beat the waves you'll enter a private beach paradise, as seen two pictures above. You'll notice the stop sign in the far distance and a close up is seen in the picture above. So you can ALWAYS use this beach all year round, no matter what! No complaints... However, the stop sign comes down in June so people can keep taking their chances around the rocks, under the oil pier and right thru the seal rookery. Of course when the beach opens up, the seals move out. The good news is, the pups are usually strong enough to swim a good distance. The bad news is, why should they have to leave? The seals will swim to the islands and to other beaches because like any animal, they desire to explore. However, this is their home and they feel safe here because they are protected. Take a closer look:
Please tell me why people should be allowed to walk through this spot? This is an oil pier. Large vehicles are going back and forth on this all day. This is not an area where you want to bring your kids or have a romantic picnic. Besides, as I demonstrated on Day 84, you have at least two miles of open beach to the east. Based on today's experience, you have at least a mile of open beach to the west. Thus, leave the seals be. Close this beach to the public for good! Help donate for this cause: http://harborseals.blogspot.com/
Due to the Venoco Property, you'll have to hike away from the bluff and rejoin the bike path:
The Seal Sanctuary
Dolphins! (Zoom into the middle on the bottom)
The seals were celebrating a day of warm air and fresh sunshine! They were very vocal but not as loud as the Elephant Seals by Hurst Castle. Bring your kids, leave your dogs at home. Just twenty minutes from Ventura and free to the public.
Ayden and I hung out for thirty minutes or so. There were many seals swimming in the waters and one family swore they saw whales. Very possible, but I didn't see them. On the way out, I caught a picture of a squirrel. There was a butterfly and little alligator lizard too, but my hand wasn't quick enough. This was our third visit in 111 days and I accomplished it from three different spots. I am determined to make a difference here! Sealwatch has done a great job over the years. Please review my blog to help fund some extraordinary ideas, including a playground! http://harborseals.blogspot.com/
**Thank you for the donations. I collected a couple and a few more said they would mail it in. I spoke to the guy from Sealwatch and he is on the Carpinteria City Council and I believe a retired attorney. He suggested that I meet up with him, the head of the state parks and the Mayor. I told him, hmmm... Let me raise some money first. I have ideas and I hope to turn that in with some money to make it happen. Sealwatch has the some beliefs that I have for these seals. They have done an excellent job since 1988. They never formed as a non-profit group and I don't think the should. The money I raise for the seals will merge with Sealwatch for them to carryout the plan. ***More to come...
Description: Door to Door Donations. Street vendors carting foods and men on horses.
Where: Oxnard, CA
Directions:From the 101 Freeway in Oxnard, exit on Santa Rosa/Rice. Turn right on Santa Rosa and it's the neighborhood to the right.
Day one of attempting donations for the seals. I replaced a hike through the hills with a walk thru the neighborhood. This area was predominantly spanish speaking and mi no hablo espanol muy bien... I chose this spot because I needed to go to Costco so; kill two birds with one stone...
Just as I had thought, maybe 2% of the people even knew about the Harbor Seals in Carpinteria. I had some good conversations, in english, with those who spoke the language and I even paid a buck to the corn man for some good old corn on the cob out of a trash bag.
Let me tell you, I was more exhausted hiking the streets door to door asking for donations versus running a +2000 foot hill. I wish I could say that many people gave to the cause but mostly people were looking to possibly mail it in. **I'm not going to give up. I am hiking for the seals now and I am determined to make sure that sanctuary is protected all year round! --By the way, I did see a man on a horse in the neighborhood so qualifying today as a hike in a new place is right on!
**If you regularly follow this blog you may be aware that I have been attempting to raise money to save the Harbor Seals in Carpinteria. Finally, a plan has been executed! I am determined and commited to make this happen! Please view:
Description: Once you know where to go, walking across of the hilltop is amazing.
Where: Oak Park, CA
Directions:From the 101 Freeway in Thousand Oaks, exit on Lindero Canyon and head north. Turn right on Rockfield St (about 1.5 miles from the 101). The park will be on the right.
Wistful Vista Open Space? What's that???
**So, I hiked up to the top of the hill and ended on a paved road. Up and to the right was a water tower. It looked like a dead end so I turned left and headed down the road. STOP, do not go down. It ends... However, I found a place to go in between the fences and it navigated me across the cement drainage system behind the backyards. The house above was just one of many that had a pool...
Ok, not sure what this little field was all about but it became a dead end. The hills above were fenced off and there was no trail. A driveway led to the street however a locked fence kept me in. Ok, so I turned around and walked behind the back yards again. Let me tell you, the footing was not easy and I felt bad because the houses were close, the dogs were barking and everyone had windows without blinds. I wasn't looking in but I'm sure some of the home owners saw me...
I decided to head up to the water tower rather than going back to the car. I had thought about it because it was drizzling, but I had my rain gear on and I was out for a good hike. Look, to the right of the road, a place to go...
Around the water tower was another cement road that took me up even higher. At the end of the road was a fence and to the right of the fence was another trail. This is hard to see but look around, you'll find it.
At the top, there was a T-Junction. I turned left, because I felt like it :)
Across the top of the hills you can look back on Indian Hills Park, where I parked, and eventually you end up on an intersection. You have the option to go three different ways or head back. I decided to take the trail to the left to loop back to the park. This trail headed lower and then I realized quickly that it wasn't really a trail at all. The picture above is a snapshot of what I did yesterday. Looking back at the past is pretty cool. If you notice the building in the lower right corner, zoom in and you will see the lake. The hill heading to the left is what I hiked...
Back to today; I took this evaporating route down to a fence. I jumped the fence and lowered to the drainage system above the yards. This is not where I was earlier in the day but i knew if I went to the left it would join up. After awhile, I had to jump another fence again. I realized that I could have done this loop without jumping any fences but I must have missed the cut. I then jumped yet another fence, which led me to the backyards where I was before. This led me back to the park and I got back just before the downpour. I was still wet, but it felt pretty good!
