Elephant Seals strewn across the beach.
Around Cape St Martin, north of San Simeon, we happened upon heaps of cars and RV’s parked. Figuring that there must be something worth looking at, we stopped and discovered hundreds of Elephant Seals. Whilst watching the juvenile Elephant Seals playing, flicking sand and sun bathing, we met three Aussies. Two (Amy and Nicole) were on holiday from Melbourne and were being shown around by Di (who came from Australia, but had been living in LA for many, many years). She knew the sights and had inside knowledge of places to see. We took some photos of them for our blog, as well as Kit and Chayse feeding squirrels, but when we got back to the van, realised we had lost them all. So back out to the Elephant Seals Kaitlin and Trev went (to get some last minute photos).
Elephant seals lazing about and sunbaking on the beach.
Up close and personal
An interesting fact about an Elephant seal is that the juveniles come in to the shore whilst the adults spend 8-10 months of the year in the deep ocean fattening up for the breeding season. They can dive 1000 to 5000 feet deep for periods of 15 minutes to two hours. They migrate thousands of miles, twice a year. They come to shore to breed, molt and rest.
Kaitlin even had a very friendly squirrel jump onto her lap. There were signs telling people not to feed the animals, but it was evident from the size of the squirrel that people ignored this sign.
A wild squirrel who doesn't act very wild.
The squirrel reminds me of Akaisha.
The squirrel jumped onto Kaitlin's leg.
We drove on past Hearst Castle (which I think we would have loved, but a fair hike for the young ones (and maybe not so exciting for them). We saw San Luis Obisapo, passed Santa Maria through to Santa Barbara.
There's Hearst Castle in the distance.
We saw many Halloween pumpkins for sale.
Still scenic along the coast.
Entering Santa Monica.
We stopped to do some shopping at Carpinteria, then realised how late it was getting, so made our way to Carpinteria State Beach. We were literally camped right on the beach. About 10pm that night, Trev couldn’t find his Visa Card and thought perhaps he had left it at the shopping centre, so we pulled all the slideouts in and went off to look for it. It must have looked very funny with 6 kids running around the carpark at night looking for a Visa Card. No luck, so drove back to site only to have Jai “discover” that he had removed it accidentally from dad’s wallet earlier when getting some money out. At least the kids could sleep now that their little adventure was over.
A relaxing way to wake up.
A couple of seals frolicking in the sirf.
The morning heralded blue skies, frolicking seals and young surfers braving the water across from our camp.
Watching the surfers and the seals enjoy the ocean.
Another squirrel!
The kids all put on bathers (in contrast to their Aunty Lynda, Uncle Alan and Cousin Scarlett who were rugged up from the snow in Pennsylvania!) Our kids found some other kids to play with and soon we enjoyed some peace and quiet in our deck chairs watching them playing on the beach and in the water.
Our kids met others and had fun in the surf.
Chayse getting a sun tan.
Mitchell, Olivia, Lucas and Nick (behind)
Putting the fish back in the water.
They say that the best way to meet people sometimes is through your kids…………..and how true this was for us. Our kids had befriended Nick, Mitchell, Olivia and Lucas. So, in turn, we got to meet their parents Chris and Darnell. What a blessing this was, as they turned out to be an absolutely beautiful family who we thoroughly enjoyed being with.
Chris, Darnell, Akaisha, Cath and Trev
The view from the reef.
Amber with her new friend Olivia.
Jai hunting around on the reef.
Harbour seals and gulls basking on the rocks.
Kaitlin and Chayse mucking around.
The kids got along famously and found many things to do on the beach……none of them involving electronics!
The boys playing soccer on the beach.
Socialising on the beach
They invited us over after dinner to share some ice-cream with their family. We made a cake (because it was Chris’s birthday) and took it along. We had a lovely evening eating cake and ice-cream and getting to know our new friends.
Another glorious sunset.
Sitting by a campfire on the beach
Darnell dishing up cake and ice cream.
Happy Birthday Chris.
It’s funny how the Universe has a way of guiding you in the right direction. (We had only planned to stay one night, but Trev had got the checkout times wrong, so we ended up staying for another night.) Had we not done that, we would never have met the Martinov family and made what would later prove to be a friendship that was meant to be! We organised to see Chris, Darnell and the kids on our first day at Disneyland, then were on our way.
We had a few things to take care of in town, then drove onto Malibu RV Park in Malibu (via the Canyon). It was very different going from the seaside town of Carpinteria to very busy Mailbu. But more of that in our next blog…….
Happy birthday Chayse, I missed you at kindy ‘o’ day but we can play lots next year – luv Lewis xxx
“Thankyou Lewis,
See you next year and thankyou for we going to their house.” Love Chayse
I guess he’s planning his house visit already, Deb. Thanks for the birthday wishes. C U when we return.
Cath
We miss you guys a lot. We look fondly on our time that we got to spend with you and look forward to seeing you again someday. We’re so blessed to have gotten the chance to know you. We look forward to your postings and hearing of your amazing journeys. May God continue to bless your family.
Hi Chris, Darnell and kids,
I am sure we’ll meet again one day….when you come to Oz! We’re glad our paths crossed and we continue to be blessed everywhere we go.
We are sending good luck and opportunity your way filled with love, hope and a multitude of blessings.
Take care,
Love the Howitt clan xx
Beautifully written Cath! People do keep saying things happen for a reason (I am not yet thoroughly convinced on that theory yet!). The kids look like they all had a great time….it must be tough having to camp in all those awful places…..but you all look like you are coping OK.
Love and Sunshine Aunty Trace XXX
PS I didn’t know squirrels went to the beach…and that is the fattest squirrel I have ever seen!!! 🙂
Hi Trace,
I know….imagine having to camp on the beach with seals playing in the water!! Terrible!:)
We have seen squirrels just about everywhere…..where there’s people, there’s squirrels! They know how to find a quick meal!
Love Cath xx
Wow! What an awesome trip you guys are having. Hope you are all having a ball! Happy birthday Chayse! Trev, hope you’re not missing teaching too much – d=it’s report time here atm… sad face. Speak soon, Heath.
Hi Heath,
Lovely to hear from you. Yes, Trev is definitely missing report writing. (Not!) We are having a great time. Will be seeing the Grand Canyon tomorrow. Bit chillier here than at Las Vegas (where we’ve come from), Hope your term finishes well and we’ll catch up soon,
Cath (and Trev and kids)
Hi Howitt Family!
Finally had time to catch-up on your blog. Please tell the Birthday Boy Happy belated Birthday for us. We have been crazy busy around here with hunting trips for Richard and sick children, and as you know they never all do it at once. Richard is finally done with the venison. Now we are getting ready for Thanksgiving. Oh how wonderful the turkey will be! I don’t have to make it this year!!! We got 4 inches of snow today but they say it won’t last woo-hoo 🙂 not ready for it to stay. The beach photos look soooo inviting and the redwoods amazing and you guys look like you are having so much fun.Love the squirrel. They are such beggers and so smart they know a soft touch when they see one. Hope you all stay well and safe 🙂 Keep the photos coming.
Sandy R. MN
Hi Sandy and Richard,
Sounds like you guys need another holiday! Now I can recommend a few places down south 🙂
We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We’re not sure where we’ll be. I was hoping to be with a relative of Trevor’s, but she lives in Dallas and we are still in Arizona looking at the Grand Canyon. So Thanksgiving will be wherever we are at the time.
Glad you’re still following our blog. Take care.
Cath, Trev and the kids xx
Hi All
Is Jai still alive- suppose Trevor was so pleased to get his credit card back and all was forgiven !!!!!!!
Everyone lookks so well. Its great meeting so many people with like interests- I’m sure you will keep in contact.
We leave for Perth tomorrow and come back next Sunday via Manjimup to see Teaghan’s ballet.
Keep safe. All our love
Mum and dad
Hi Mum and Dad,
It is great meeting people who have similar interests. We have been blessed with the people we have met along the way. Some people you just know will be lifelong friends…even if we are separated by many continents and oceans!
Hope Teaghan’s ballet goes well. Send our love to everyone.
Cath and Trev and your 7 grandkids 🙂
Hi, your trip just gets better and better! I think I’m sold on doing an RV trip after seeing that you can still bake cakes on the road!! X
Hi Katie,
I’d love you to come along and bake as we go, that would make the trip totally awesome!
You guys would fit very nicely in an RV with space to spare if you ever went on a trip.
Don’t think we’ll be going via Hong Kong. Can’t change our tickets. Hopefully we will see you in the not too distant future.
Love Cath and fam xx