OCEAN n' ISLAND ODYSSEY 2002
last updated 8/22/2002 (trip info updated)
Click here for a gear list
(check it out...make suggestions)
Click here for a trip info summary list (print &
bring with you)
The email invitation and other info are archived below the pictures.
Cost Summary (all prices are -discounts +tax if applicable):
Hotel: $90 queen room or $101 2 doubles room
Kayak: $80 single $120 double
Wetsuit: $26 Mask & snorkel: $21.50 Fins: $21.50
Ferry: $54 +$6 for single kayak transport +$10 for double kayak transport
Camping: $20
Sea Caves! 
Scorpion Campground...looks like a bear got into the bear canister!:
Scorpion Landing Harbor:
------------archive of Last Bit o Channel Islands Info 8/30/02-----------------
Yay, two days to the Islands! Please read this last bit o' info.
A warm welcome to Peter! The telescope is a great idea! We expect a talk
from
you too ;)
We'll do formal intros in person, but just as a 1-minute intro:
Dave is just Dave
Linda is Dave's wife of 4 years and an optometrist
Kris is a mutual friend of DnL from college and an optometrist
Anthony is her boyfriend and a programmer at Microsoft
Carol is Dave's god-sister & paleo/bio/geologist at Calif Academy of Sciences
Peter is her co-worker at CAS & also a paleo/bio/geologist
Wai is a backpacking & trips buddy, on furlough from Lam Research
Nick is Dave's high-school buddy & a software QA specialist at Bio-Rad
Shapoor is Dave's high-school buddy and a sys admin at...uhh Iron Gate?
Lisa is Linda's sister and a software engineer at Next Level Communications
Carl is Lisa's husband and a software engineer at Next Level
Other info:
There are NO campfires allowed on the island at this time due to high fire
danger. We'll just have forego the s'mores and have campstove popped
POPCORN!!
Weather looks like it'll be decent! Still bring a ski cap if you like to
err on the side of definitely being warm at night.
Pack perishables in LOTS of ice. Food poisoning would be really pretty
nasty to get while 'stuck' on an island. We'll top off on ice at the hotel or
make a 7-11 ice run EARLY Friday.
I think there are too many stoves. We'll sort it out on Friday morning
and save some weight.
Do NOT miss the ferry or your vacation will be kinda boring! Be at
Islandpackers VENTURA terminal, 7:00am, Friday morning, LATEST!
Sometime after you leave the Bay Area, please call us with your estimated
arrival time down in Ventura.
Please print out the Trip Summary Info page
so you'll have phone #s, directions, etc.
http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
Yay! See ya'll Thursday night or so.
Dave n' Linda
--------------archive of Some more Important Channel Islands Info 8/22/02-------------
Hiya! The time draws near! Please read this important info.
Important Ferryboat Rules:
No single item over 45 lbs (including coolers/ice)
No items stored in paper bags
No storing gear in kayak
No loose gear
No glass containers
No 5-gallon or larger water containers
Label all gear with your name and 'Santa Cruz' (I'll bring tags for you)
SEA KAYAKING:
Kayaking is going to be GREAT!
There are tens of sea caves to explore within 3 miles of the launch area, along with some coves, beaches, & stacks (mini rock islands protruding from the sea).
They are widely varying: You've got HUGE tall caves, tiny claustrophobic caves, rocky caves, skinny caves, branched-out caves, caves that connect to multiple entrances, pitch-dark caves, caves that have a 'beach' so you can get off your kayak and walk around in, caves that you can swim-thru, etc. Take your pick! I'll work out some 'expeditions' you can join if you want.
Bring a WATERPROOF headlamp for best kayak cave exploring. Also, a little drybag would be useful to bring your lunch & gear on kayak expeditions.
HOW DID THE CHANNEL ISLANDS GET THERE?
Carol has promised to give us an interesting talk about the fascinating geology of the Channel Islands!
GROUP ITEMS:
For fun, please bring one or more group items! A game, frisbee, musical instrument, interesting food/snack, or anything that others can enjoy.
We'll bring a little football and a night vision scope.
FOOD-RELATED:
For everyone to use: DnL and Lisa & Carl will each bring a 2-burner stove, a pot, a pan, cooking utensils, and stuff to wash dishes.
Bring your own "mess kit" with bowl,plate, utensils.
Bring your own booze! Repackage into *plastic* springwater bottles.
Bring lunches that can be taken with you on expeditions.
Attention-deficit folk's summary list:
little drybag for kayaking
each person brings own "mess kit"
waterproof headlamp/flashlight for sea cave exploration
booze...in *plastic* bottles
transportable lunches
warm ski hat
dry bag
cooler w/wheels & strap!
whistle
moist wipes
change of clothes
PRINT out the info at http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
Park website: http://www.channel.islands.national-park.com/
Dave n' Linda
--------archive of More Channel Islands INFO 8/14/02 ---------------------------------
Hi All!
Linda and I are working hard to ensure stuff goes smoothly. Please do your part and make sure you are well prepared. Look over all THREE web pages now and start preparing if you haven't already!
http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
Check out the UPDATED to-bring list!
Please look over the to-bring list now and acquire needed items this weekend.
I'd like to mention a couple of things:
WEATHER: Can be highly variable. It probably won't rain, but there is a good chance of a range of warm full sun, chilly foggy no sun, and/or wind. Bring layers of warm and windproof clothing to wear. If it gets chilly at night, a warm ski hat is VERY useful to insulate your head, where you lose 40% of your body heat! You'll also want a good sleeping bag and a pad to insulate you from the cold ground.
TRANSPORT: You'll have to carry your gear 1/4 to 1/2 mile. You'll want to put critical gear in a dry bag, and the rest in large duffle bags or a backpacking pack. A cooler with good handles and/or wheels would help. Some weren't clear on this: We're NOT kayaking to the island. A ferry boat will transport us, gear, and kayaks to the island (15 miles). From there, we can kayak to caves, coves, and beaches.
WHISTLE: Required on this DnL trip, mostly for safety during kayaking. If you drift away from the group and are having trouble, three blasts will bring on the help! Buy/bring a good whistle!
STAYING CLEAN: Our experience from backpacking is, hair gets 'icky', itchy, and irritating first. There will be at least two Sunshowers (solar-heated water bags) available to wash your hair a bit. Also, moist wipes are very good for keeping the rest of your body clean & fresh.
AFTER: Bring a change of clothes for the car ride home.
Quick Summary for Attention Deficit Campers:
warm ski hat
dry bag
cooler w/wheels
whistle
moist wipes
change of clothes
Yahoo! Just two weeks to the islands!
Dave n' Linda
----- archive of Channel Islands Dining Plans 8/13/02 ------------------------------------
Everyone-- PLEASE READ COMPLETELY-- THERE IS A QUIZ AT THE END THAT YOU MUST REPLY BACK TO ME SO THAT I KNOW YOU HAVE READ IT ;)
The Channel Islands trip is just over 2 weeks away!! Time to start getting prepared! Time to start thinking about FOOD!
This trip is rated level ONE in terms of fitness level. Minimum energy requirement is to ride the ferry and hike .5 miles to campsite.
HOWEVER, it is also rated level THREE for preparation. Once we board the boat and reach the island, we are stuck there for FOUR DAYS. There are No Safeways, No McDonalds, No REI. We must have everything we need: gear, clothes, and food.
Here's the plan:
1) Breakfasts and lunches are ON YOUR OWN.
2) Friday and Saturday dinner will each be prepared by a food team.
3) Sunday dinner will be a leftovers night.
4) Things like stoves, pots, pans, cooking utensils, bucket, dish soap, paper plates, plastic utensils will be arranged by the food captains and us.
Here are the FOOD TEAMS:
Friday Foo' Fighters:
Nick -- food captain
Dave
Kris
Anthony
Carol
J.D.
Saturday Supper Smackers:
Lisa -- food captain
Carl
Linda
Wai
Shapoor
Food captains are in charge of making sure the meal is planned and all necessary items are brought.
Sure, Dave built a boat out of concrete, but can he build a refrigerator out of materials found on Santa Cruz island? Only minimally perishable items should be brought in coolers. Ice will only last for 36 hours or so.
Stuff that might be okay if you pack it in enough ice and eat it *before* Sunday: frozen pre-made soups / chilis, eggs, cheese, processed or pre-cooked meats
Possible nonperishable food ideas : Cereal, granola bars, fruit, bread, instant oatmeal, Stan's donuts, pancake mix, canned soups & ravioli & such, ramen, dehydrated 'backpacking' meals, beef jerky, crackers, summer sausage, cookies, corn on the cob, salad, french bread, spaghetti, Lipton noodle packages
QUIZ TIME!! REPLY BACK WITH ANSWER OR YOU WILL BE PUSHED OFF THE FERRY BOAT!
1) What food team are you on and who is in charge of your group?
2) Is the REI on the East side or West side of Santa Cruz island?
3) What meals do you need to bring on your own?
Linda n' Dave
Complete info can be found at http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
----archive of TRIP UPDATE 3 email
7/18/02-------------------------------------------------
Woohoo!
We have a great group of 10 for the Channel Islands trip! This
is shaping up
to be an awesome trip!
Please check out the exact cost list, to-bring list, itinerary,
and pictures
at:
http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
This trip is logistically difficult. We're dealing with 5
vendors, moving 10
people hundreds of miles via plane/car/ferry, have lots of key
gear to pick-up
and/or pack, etc. etc.
It would really help us out if you looked over ALL of the
information at the
web site and get an understanding of the plans. Ask questions
now. Gather/buy
gear that you need. Thanks!
*****Also, please send us the balance of $$ by July 30.*****
Note: There is a 'might-be-able-to-make-it' list with a couple
of Shap's
friends, Nancy, and Kris' friend Anthony. We'll do what we can
to accomodate
anybody adding on this late, but things *are* booked full
(campsites) or very
nearly so (ferry, kayak rentals, hotel), so no guarantees at
this point...
We're looking forward to this unique trip and hope you are too!
Yippee!
Dave n' Linda
ps: And if we get stranded on the island, Dave now knows how to
escape! Just
need some concrete, a Mig welder, some metal bars...
----archive of TRIP UPDATE 2 email
6/5/02-------------------------------------------------
Hi everyone!
Yay, we have transportation & kayaks for the island!
We are now leaving from Ventura Harbor rather than Santa Barbara.
Ferry is $54, +$6 to transport a single kayak, +$10 for a double kayak.
Rental kayaks will be $120/double and $80/single.
These are easy-to-use, safe, sit-on-top type.
rental snorkel gear will be ~$35
rental wetsuit about ~$25
Best Western Motel will be $90/queen room, $101/2doubles room.
So you can figure out total cost, depending on your choices!
Some pics of the campground, harbor area, and caves are at:
http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
Dave n' Linda
---archive of TRIP UPDATE email 6/3/02----------------------------------------------------
Woohoo! The CI2002 trip planning is moving along!
CAMPING: Yay, we've secured several campsites on 'Santa Cruz' Channel Island! Looks like they are reasonably shaded in a Eucalyptus grove.
There are picnic tables and you can bring the ol' Coleman campstove, pots n' pans, coolers, and of course, the kitchen sink!
KAYAKING: MEGA GREAT NEWS! We got our hands on a hard-to-find, out-of-print book called "Sea Caves of Channel Islands". With that, and the help of the more experienced kayakers, Nick and Lance, we feel that we can safely go kayak spelunking! Some caves are HUGE and have side branches and 'beach' landing areas 200 feet in! Some are very small and, for the truly adventurous, can be explored by swimming in! Looks like there are more than a dozen that we can paddle to and into from our base camp. There are also beaches we can land at to have lunch. This is guaranteed to be interesting and different. Note: single kayaks will be easier than double if you intend to explore caves.
See attached pics!
FERRY: This is giving us a bit of a problem. Only two companies have ferries.
The company in Ventura runs a daily to the island, but none of the Ventura kayak outfitters want to just rent us kayaks (they prefer running guided trips). The company in Santa Barbara runs chartered scuba dive trips as a priority, so won't guarantee an available boat for us right now.
Does anybody have a big 'ol boat we can use to get there?! ;)
We'll work it out...
COST: Because of ferry issues (we may have to negotiate a more expensive, chartered boat), we still don't have a trip cost (and it'll vary a little for each person). The estimate is now $180-260 (not including food, gas, & misc)...still cheap for 4 days of adventure!
****** WE NEED THIS FROM YOU BY SATURDAY, JUNE 15th ******
1) $60 to guarantee you a space. This is a non-refundable deposit.
Paypal daveechen@yahoo.com or
send a check to 48203 Sawleaf St, Fremont, CA 94539
2) preference on kayak (single, double, don't care, don't need) (single will be easier if you are planning to paddle into the smaller caves! double is less work, especially if you let the front paddle while you secretly kick back.)
3) want wetsuit rental and/or snorkel gear rental?
4) preference on motel room for the 1st night (your own room, shared room, or a cram room)
The remainder of $$ will be due on July 15th.
Call or email if you have questions!
Lots of info can be found at: http://www.davenlinda.com/ci2002.htm
Dave n' Linda =)
--- archive of TRIP INVITE -------------------------------------------------------------
Dave n' Linda Adventures Unlimited presents you with a fresh new adventure!
The Ocean n' Island Odyssey 2002 Trip!
...at the CHANNEL ISLANDS!
plink (sound of pin dropping)
Okay, nobody seems to have heard of this nearby National Park...including us. These are a chain of 5 rugged, minimally-developed, beautiful islands off the Santa Barbara coast. Way more info than we'd like to bore you with can be found at: http://www.channel.islands.national-park.com/
This 4-nighter trip requires some EARLY commitment from you and some early planning by us! So read on!
Here's the Plan --------------------------------------------
Thu, Aug 29:
evening, drive down to Santa Barbara & stay in motel
Fri, Aug 30:
morning, take 2 hr boat ride to the 'Santa Cruz' Channel Island
hike to the campground, where we'll spend 3 nights
nap or start doing stuff!!!
Sat, Aug 31 & Sun, Sep 1 are activity days! You can:
kayak along the island coast or into sea caves
snorkel in the kelp forest
sleep-in and/or nap
hike to tidepools, peaks, canyons, bluffs, etc.
go geocaching (geo-what?! See http://www.geocaching.com)
build castles on the (possibly) sandy beach
swim in the ocean
chat with sea lions, whales, birds, etc.
share stories, food, music, games, etc.
take photos, leave footprints
or whatever else you can think of!
Mon, Sep 2:
afternoon, take boat back to Santa Barbara and head home
---------------------------------------------------------------
Misc info:
rental kayaks: easy-to-use sit-on-top type are available
terrain: rugged, not very lush
coastline: rugged and steep with beaches, coves, & caves
campground: 35 primitive sites
no showers (bring a Sunshower to rinse hair if you want)
potable water
vault toilets
picnic table
some shade
ocean: 60-70 F, may still want a wetsuit for extended snorkeling
weather: should be pretty decent in September...no guarantees
facilities: no stores, restaurants, motels...just a ranger station
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Cost:
*estimated* cost of things we will reserve/pay in advance for you--
motel($30), ferryboat($70), kayak rental($85), campsite($10): $195
subtract $20 if you want to share a 2-person kayak
add $30 to rent snorkel gear (mask, fins, snorkel, boots, gloves)
add $25 to rent a wetsuit
--------------------------------------------------------------
---RSVP RSVP RSVP RSVP RSVP RSVP---
Trip is limited to 12 due to difficult large-group logistics.
Many whom we have talked to have given us a verbal 'Yay',
but we must make reservations soon so we need a definite head count.
**** RSVP by SUNDAY APRIL 20th with an official Yay or Nay ****
--Specify 2-person or 1-person kayak--
--Specify if you want snorkel gear or wetsuit--
We'll ask for full $$ in May, once reservations are made.
If you have to cancel, we'll do our best to try and revise the various reservations to get some or all of your money back.
Call us if you have questions!
Dave n' Linda