Each school year I take 2-3 field trips with students to the Channel Islands National Park. Over the years, we have visited four of the five islands that comprise the national park (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Santa Rosa Island). San Miguel is the outermost island and the only one I haven't visited (due to the strength and direction of the prevailing winds it is often difficult to make a landing).
The last field trip was taken on August 7, 2008 with the Oceanography 1 class. Here are some field trip photos of one of my favorite islands - Santa Rosa Island.
The maximum temperature was in the high 70's F on August 7 in the Channel Islands. In contrast, the maximum temperature at McMurdo Base in Antarctica on August 7^th was -21^o F.! The visibility was 6.0 miles and snowing. The wind speed was 2 mph. Well at least it wasn't windy and it's a dry cold. Yikes!
Laughing
Our official guides out of the harbor are pictured below.
California Sea Lions resting on a buoy outside Oxnard Harbor.
Happy Students en route to Santa Rosa Island. The trip to Santa Rosa Island takes approximately 2 1/2 hours.
Students trek up Water Canyon on Santa Rosa Island for a picturesque view.
Students take a lunch break on the white sand dunes on Santa Rosa Island.
Painted Cave is a large sea cave located on the west end of Santa Rosa Island.
The highlight of the trip is when the Island Packers skipper takes the boat inside Painted Cave.
The end of another perfect day in the Channel Islands National Park.