Day 44-45: Channel Islands National Park

The Channel Islands are a group of diverse islands off the coast of Ventura California.  The Davis Clan rode the 90-minute Ferry with dolphins and seals to explore this seldom-visited national park.  The premier hike from the Prisoner’s Bay dock is the Pelican Bay Hike, a 5-mile hike up the mountain and through 3 canyons concluding at a beautiful bay and pebble beach.  The only problem is that it is required to be guided.  We rarely take “guided” hikes because the pace is dictated by the slowest hiker, usually 4 years old or an elderly bird watcher.  Our hike had both!  After about half a mile, we spent more time waiting to see where the last person is than actually walking… and I was beginning to rethink this hike.  The guide who shared my frustrations then asked that one of the volunteers wait with the last person so we could actually do some hiking.  In the end the hike was beautiful and Bryce enjoyed throwing rocks on the pebble beach.  21 parks down and 1 to go…