Surfing Waves

It’s been too long. However, Roxy Ridgeback and billie enjoyed another Gaviota Coast adventure together in mid FEB 2020. They visited their favorite secret spot and hiked from there. The early morning surf was very nice (3 to 4 ft peeling waves) and two fortunate surfers had all the waves and beautiful sky to themselves. Following their private surf session, these two surfers enjoyed the warm sunshine on the pristine, remote beach.

This is one of their boards. It is named is Pink Petunia. It was fabricated by a prominent local Goleta shaper for one of the surfers.

The two talented and charming surfers are Wahines! Roxy formed an instant friendship with them. These lovely Wahines are Goleta locals. They live and work on farms in Goleta (the “Good Land” because it is beautiful and provided excellent agricultural conditions since the early days involving European and American settlers). Specifically, they represent the last vestiges of the once prolific and prosperous cut flower and potted orchid industry in the USA (toppled by Asia). Nonetheless, they farm, ranch, raise kids, ride horses, have dogs, etc., and love the Gaviota Coast as deeply as Roxy and I do.

All 5 of us were impressed by a massive pelican flock. There were at least 75 pelicans. It was neat to see them soar silently overhead.

Here’s other sights we saw and photographed. We spent most of this warm, sunny day on the Gaviota Coast beaches because we simply could not leave the splendor. When we needed relief from the sun, we entered caves formed in the cliff base by wave action.

The black color in the rocks in contact with the brown sand is provided by crude oil contained within the rock. The crude oil in this region is very high quality (e.g., low sulphur content, low viscosity, minimal impurities). The elongated, linear shapes displayed by the white sandstone blibs (made up term, but don't worry. I'm professionally licensed by the State of California to practice geology) indicate the rock experienced metamorphism. No surprise when you observe the included sedimentary beds and massive folds exposed in the cliff faces.

Moderate closeup of inclined beds and massive folds. In some areas, these beds are completely vertical. This is astounding because they formed as sedimentary horizontal beds in shallow seas.

Our private bliss...we truly love it here...

We relaxed. We rested. But, neither one of us wanted to carry the beer.

At 11 years old, Roxy needs a long rest before we hike back to the location we descended the cliffs.

After we climbed back up the cliff, we took a nap in this grassy field before walking the remaining mile to our old SUV. Roxy is not the only one that's growing old. I needed this nap, too. Side note, the green grassy area on left is sacred ground. This is where the Chumash tribe hold an annual ceremony.

Roxy reveled in the green goodness after climbing the cliff from the beach. Then we both took the aforementioned (45 minute) nap. Please know the specific location Roxy rolled around and where we napped are NOT within the sacred ground area.

Roxy is getting older grayer but still seems to enjoy the beach. The surfers look odd perhaps they wearing too much makeup

oldmansurfer wrote:Roxy is getting older grayer but still seems to enjoy the beach. The surfers look odd perhaps they wearing too much makeup

that's funny!
Ol Man, it warms my heart that you like to follow Roxy's adventures. She is effected by age. She can't go as far or as fast as she used to. But, she's still the apple of my eye.

BoMan, appreciate your appreciation of the photos from our most recent adventure. You should have been with us. It was glorious.

This looks like a nice area. And a lovely companion! Our Jimmy (a Cocker Spaniel) gets 9 this year, and I cannot remember life without him anymore. Maybe there is a chance to meet Roxy when we have our next conference in Anaheim 2021