We arrived at the landing and managed to successfully deal with the infamous hoist while a crowd of day travelers watched us. We then loaded gear up in the convenient cart located at the top of the long stairway. After setting up camp and relaxing we started the cocktail hour early while waiting for the other group to arrive following their day at Frenchy's Cove. By 6:00 p.m. we did wonder if the rough sea conditions had caused them to return to Oxnard but by the second cocktail they joined us just in time for dinner. After dinner we hiked to Inspiration Point to watch the sunset with hopes of seeing the green flash but conditions were a bit foggy for that treat. Back at camp we checked weather conditions via our radios to learn that Saturday would have winds of 10 to 15 knots with an increase to 20 knots by the afternoon. We believed the report as the whole afternoon and evening we had watched as dust flew into our faces, tents, sleeping bags, and camp gear. It was a grainy night in the tent!

On Saturday morning we circumnavigated the three islands of Anacapa experiencing rough, choppy, and windy conditions before arriving at Frenchy's Cove. Just as we beached Jake arrived from his solo crossing. Perfect timing! We enjoyed lunch on the rocky beach and soaked up a few rays of sunshine before splitting up. Jake continued on his day's journey by doing a solo circumnavigation of the island while Dave and Steve opted to enjoy a couple more hours of sunshine on the pebbly beach and the rest of us slowly returned to the landing hoist. This time we maneuvered in and around snorkelers, divers, swimmers, and a stack of SOTs on the platform while we hoisted up our kayaks. Soon the others arrived and we met back at the campsite for the afternoon's rattle snake entertainment.

Duane's rubber rattle snake was a hit for all of us as we watched unsuspecting campers come across the snake as we sat gleefully watching the proceedings. With surprised looks on their faces they stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of the rattle snake. Once they heard laughter from us they realized our game and conversation flowed at an easy pace with the campers. Great fun and Duane even got Barb who knew about the rubber snake.

After all this fun Ranger Krista took several of us for a tour of the lighthouse. Views from the top of the lighthouse were incredible. Ranger Krista also shared with us that Anacapa is now host to a resident bald eagle.

Back at camp we had just finished dinner when something set off all the birds on the island. Thousands took to the sky for several minutes cawing and flying around. If anyone is aware of the reason for this phenomenon, we'd like to know. It was eerie - like something out of Alfred Hitchcock's 'Birds' movie.

Dessert on Sat. night was a treat as Dave baked a cinnamon cake, Lee sauteed apples with cinnamon flavoring, and Barb & Kathy shared our favorite Ritter chocolate bars. Then Duane treated us with freshly popped popcorn and Jake passed around cheese, crackers, and salami. Finally, we were all full and headed off for bed.

Dave came around to each campsite at 4:00 a.m. on Sunday to give us our wake-up call. We broke camp quickly and hiked back to the landing platform and hoist. Like clockwork we launched one completely loaded boat after another and started heading for home by 6:10 a.m. Our first hour or so we had calm seas before the swells and wind waves increased in size. Conditions calmed down again after we passed Platform Gina. No freighters passed us but we were treated to dozens of dolphins who kept pace with us for part of the crossing. We landed about 10:00 a.m., loaded up our gear, and headed for Big Daddio's to feast and recap stories from a great weekend with super paddlers and good friends. It was a terrific weekend! Thanks Dave for hosting it.

Please check out the photos from our weekend at Duane's smug mug website.
Here are a few more photos taken by Lee Shurie.

Kathy Pilcher

Nice report. The following might also be of interest to others planning a trip to Anacapa.

We were going to launch at 5:30 AM but put it on hold since the 3:00AM weather report had 20+mph winds at Anacapa. The forecasts had called for calmer conditions. We did not know whether they would worsen so we waited for the next update. I called my wife and she looked up the latest on-line info. The 6:00AM report said the winds were still averaging 19 mph with gusts to 23 mph. (gusts of up to 33 mph were later reported while we were on the island). We launched and encountered white caps and chop but nothing scary. However, not all paddlers would have enjoyed the trip; if they were expecting flat seas.

We also had two more incidents showing how critical it is to adjust weight when you pack kayaks. On the way out, Steve noticed he was out of balance and wisely stopped to readjust. Later in the trip, Lee found that he was bow heavy and it made the passage a lot more work. He readjusted on the way back and noticed a major difference.

Another piece of advice is to not underestimate the process of landing and launching of loaded boats. It is a good idea to have multiple slings in the group. Dave's rig was working well until one loop dropped into 25' of water (Lee later dove down and got it). Henry's spare was then essential and it worked well. My third sling was necessary when Jake, Dave, and Steve returned after everyone else had gone back to the campground. Although less elaborate than Dave and Henry's, my three cam straps worked fine.

We also had to scramble a bit when there was a big pile of sit-on-tops next to the davit and loading area. Swimmers were also in the area and were climbing up the ladder to jump back in.

Henry and Ken did a highly efficient job of launching 9 loaded kayaks this morning in the dark. Empty boats were stored on the higher level and brought down for quick loading as space developed. As always, Duane entertained us with his solo launching of his loaded boat. He also chose to do solo landings by pulling his kayak up to the landing with a bow line.