[CKF Info] Trip Report: 7/26/08 - Refugio to Gaviota

[P Martin]

Trip Report: 7/26/08 - Refugio to Gaviota

My alarm clock went off at 4 am and I awoke with some hesitancy.  The past week at work had been exhausting, I felt tired, and I wasn't sure I was up for a 16 nm paddle with an aggressive group of paddlers.  As I dragged myself out of bed I knew once I got out onto the water my attitude should revive and I should begin to feel like my old self again.  The rhythm of the ocean and the laughter of friendship could regenerate my attitude.  I just had to dig deep and make the effort to show up with a smile to share.

Mike Bode arrived at my house  right on time and we loaded his boat and gear onto my truck so that we could carpool from Moorpark to Refugio.  It was good to see Mike.  He too had survived a difficult week and had overcome the urge to call it quits and sleep in.  Our ride to the beach seemed to pass quickly because we had much to talk about.

The group that assembled included Mike Bode, Duane Strosaker (who had posted the invitation for this trip), Mark Sanders, Dave O'Connor, Scott (who's last name eludes me, sorry Scott), and Win and Carol Aldrich.  Duane, Mark and Dave had spent the night sleeping in their cars in the Channel Islands Harbor parking lot in Oxnard.  At this time of year it is impossible to get a camp site at Refugio, El Capitan, or Gaviota since all the reservations were sold out months ago.  These guys are a hearty bunch and were in remarkably good spirits in spite of their less than ideal camping accommodations. 

It was a beautiful day with warm sunshine, no wind, and surf that was mostly less than 3-foot.  We launched around 9 o'clock and the only thrill was the kiss that Dump gave me as I splashed through a wave.  I think Mike referred to my launch as "classic Martin timing".  Everyone else made it out without the benefit of an exhilarating splash of sea water in their faces.  But there was something about that splash that revived me.  From that moment on I was having a wonderful time and could feel my spirit charging up with every undulation of my boat and every stroke of my paddle.