There is so much I want to share about our seven hours in this amazing Park that I have to blog in two parts.

One hour each way, $60 round trip, priceless memories... what a boat ride!
We actually came to kayak and that will be tomorrow's post. We began our visit by exploring nature. Because of their isolation and remote nature, the Channel Islands support fewer native animal species than similar habitats on the mainland. Species that reached the islands were aerial, such as birds and bats, or rafted across the water on debris and other material. Over time some vertebrate species evolved into distinct subspecies on the islands. For example, the deer mouse and island fox are recognized as distinct subspecies on each of the islands they occur. A total of 23 endemic terrestrial animals have been identified in the park, including 11 land birds, that are Channel Island subspecies or races.
Our goal was to see this guy who happened to practically great us once we disembarked. The island fox only lives on six of the eight Channel Islands off the coast of southern California--they are found nowhere else on Earth. Each island population is recognized as a separate endemic or unique subspecies. This adorable fox, a descendant of the mainland gray fox, is the largest of the Channel Islands' native mammals, but one of the smallest canid species in the world. He's about the size of a house cat. Wild.
The human history is extensive. Native peoples, Mexican land grants, private ownership. Farming was solidified by Dr. James B. Shaw, an English physician, who built the island’s first ranch house by 1855 and is thought to have brought the first French Merino sheep to the island.
The Civil War significantly increased the demand for wool and by 1864 some 24,000 sheep grazed the hills and valleys of Santa Cruz Island.
Shaw’s island sheep ranch was well known by 1869, the year he left Santa Cruz. He imported cattle, horses, and sheep to the island and erected one of the earliest wharves along the California coast at Prisoners Harbor by 1869. He built corrals and houses for himself and his employees and expanded the road system. Shaw was the first rancher to ship sheep to San Francisco by steamer, some selling at $30 per animal. The press frequently praised the quality of sheep and wool coming from the Santa Cruz Island ranch.
While Santa Cruz Island did not attain National Park designation until 1980, visitors and previous owners of the island have understood the resource values of the island and contemplated preserving the property as a park for perhaps 100 years. Interestingly, Channel Islands National Park owns and operates (only)approximately 24 percent of Santa Cruz Island. Today, a combination of organizations which includes The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, the University of California Field Station, and the Santa Cruz Island Foundation work to protect the island’s natural and historic resources.
The Island features a diverse array of plant species, including over 70 endemic taxa found only on the California Channel Islands. Key native vegetation includes chaparral, island oak woodlands, and coastal sage scrub. Key species include Santa Cruz Island buckwheat, island ironwood, island barberry, and various manzanitas, alongside several rare and endangered Dudleya species.







The hiking trails are on a plateau that affords 360-degree views of the ocean and across the island. Trails also dip into canyons and meander up peaks. Wow.





As John Muir has famously said, "Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt!" Mr. Muir would be proud of us.

This road trip with Cindy was a couple of years in the making. It was worth the wait!

Our first stop was at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center. We're in Ventura because we have planned a full day on Santa Cruz Island and we wanted to get the lay of the land!
We learned as much as we could in the center and then we were mesmerized by this introductory video narrated by Kevin Costner.

Coffees were had overlooking the harbor.
"Ventura Harbor is a 274-acre working waterfront and recreational destination featuring the vibrant Ventura Harbor Village. It offers diverse dining, boutique shopping, and year-round activities, including Channel Islands National Park boat trips, paddle boarding, and fishing, all managed by the Ventura Port District."
Lunch was a picnic at the beach followed by feet in the ocean... a must!
We couldn't check into our hotel until 4 PM so we just explored the delightful Old Town. Wow.
I happen to LOVE faces in cut-outs photo opportunities!
Ventura, officially named San Buenaventura, was founded in 1782 when Saint Junipero Serra established Mission San Buenaventura, the ninth of the California missions. Serra named the mission after the Italian Saint Bonaventure, hence the nickname that Ventura is the “city of good fortune.” Located along the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the City was incorporated in 1866.
An oil boom and growth in agricultural operations brought immigrants, wealth, bridges and roadways to the city from 1910 to 1930.  Ventura continued to prosper with an eclectic architectural mix of red brick storefronts, terracotta "Beaux-Arts" buildings, along with Victorian and Spanish Revival style homes. To meander its streets is to get lost in history.
In the early 1880s, a flourishing Chinese settlement made up of merchants, laborers, and families settled here. The largest concentration of activity was in an area known as China Alley. Only this mural remains to tell us of Ventura’s Chinatown (called Sui Mon Gong by its residents) that began in 1866 and grew to house over 200 Chinese until 1923.
Cindy purchased tickets to the 4:40 PM sneak preview of the newest romcom to take place in Italy- You, Me, & Tuscany.
What a fun theater right in the heart of Downtown.
"When a woman crashes at an empty Italian villa, posing as the owner's fiancée, she discovers an unexpected romance that may transform her life." What's not to like? (Solo Mio is still my favorite!)
We popped into an authentic Irish pub for a little live music and some craic.
After checking into our hotel and putting on warmer clothes, we strolled to the pier just in time to catch a fleeting glimpse of the sunset.

Our home for our two night stay is this mid-century, very comfortable, and perfectly located, Best Western. I am a very happy camper!

That's a bit misleading. I am going to attend the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. AND I only have to wait TWO YEARS, THREE MONTHS, and a couple of weeks!

Months ago, I applied for tickets and received a very encouraging email. "Hi Denise, Registration for the first LA28 Ticket Draw is now closed and your entry has been successfully received. Based on your billing postal code, you're eligible for the chance to purchase LA28 tickets during the LA Locals Presale*. This presale is an exclusive early-purchase window from April 2–6, 2026 for the fans closest to the action in the greater Los Angeles region.

During March 31–April 4, if I was one of the chosen ones, I was to receive an email letting me know that I've been assigned a time slot to purchase tickets during this brief sale. Sadly, I wasn't sent the coveted invitation to shop.

BUT my friend Julie was. She was able to purchase LA28 Olympics tickets with a very limiting 12-ticket maximum. I am so fortunate that she chose me to be one of her guests.

So what did we choose? Because I don't actually want to be IN Los Angeles during this chaotic time and because Julie has a thing for male volleyball players (they're tall, along with having other appealing attributes), we're attending an event conveniently located at the Honda Center in Anaheim only 10.1 miles from Julie's house.

What a beautiful day to get off the hill and into the darling town of Genoa, Nevada.

Seven of us met for a morning of coffee, books, art, history, and some shopping.
What a gathering of amazing women: Cyndi, Karen, Cindy, Mimi, Gwen, Janet, and me. What fun.

We then explored the quaint Moss & Midnight Bookstore.
We got to know Lillian Virgin Finnegan a bit better by ogling her statue. Known affectionately as Lillie, she was born and raised in Genoa. An early graduate of Nevada State University, she was a teacher, suffragist, businesswoman, and respected community leader. In 1919, when the citizens of Genoa wanted streetlights, Lillie suggested the idea of a dance and making candy to pass around during the dance as an incentive for a good "turn-out" of couples. It was a huge success and “The Candy Dance” continues each year.
We learned a little surprising local history. This marker told us that the Lincoln Highway passed through Genoa. This was part of its Sierra Nevada Southern Route, which branched off near Fallon. It followed the historic Pony Express trail, running through Carson City and Genoa before ascending the Kingsbury Grade to Lake Tahoe. I had no idea.

The following images are a snapshot of my weekend. What a memorable birthday.

On our way to seeing our kids, we detoured to meet up with old Tahoan friends, Kae and Sue. Both have moved from the Sierra with Kae settling in Chico and Sue being conveniently located in Santa Rosa. It was a brief reconnect and long overdue.
My daughters-in-law make everything from scratch. Aren't these doughnuts delightful?
With Spring fully upon us, a stroll through nature was a must!


We all share a love of Estate Sales and there were several occurring conveniently on my actual birthday. I did not buy this typewriter but other treasures came home with me.
What fun to have an opportunity to meet up with some Peanuts friends while on a walk around town.