Sea Kayaking at Laguna Beach

We took advantage of the heat this past weekend to head for Laguna Beach and some sea kayaking in the cool water.  When we first arrived, we dipped our toes in and vowed not to swim in the frigid water.  But once we got our blood pumping with some paddling, a few of us jumped in the crystal clear water.  The water has benefited in recent years from sea kelp that was originally planted by a teacher.  It has flourished, and in the process, helped to cleanse the water of pollutants.  Kelp is the second fastest growing plant on earth, behind bamboo, and can grow up to two feet per day.  We spent some time visiting the ecosystem created by this kelp, catching a glimpse of shrimp, crabs, snails, and garibaldi.  We also visited the sea lions and cormorants at their usual hangout, and then spent the afternoon replenishing ourselves at BJs. 

Jessie and Melissa

Anni and Ian

Mr. Caldwell and his two daughters

Our whole group by sea lion rock.  You can see the kelp around us.

Camping at Joshua Tree

For years, Mr. Maffris has been taking students to Joshua Tree National Park for rest, exploration, and inspiration.  The trip is part scrambling over boulders, part photography and art, part star-gazing, part relaxing around the campfire, and part discovery of the natural environment.  Above all, it has proven to be the perfect place to put all the APs behind you and just breathe.

 Kasey, Mimi, Amada, Mr. Maffris, Melody, Kristen, and Ryan

 Thanks to Ryan for almost all of these photos, and especially the video below.  Watch for the moonrise!

And thanks to Mr. Maffris for the time he gives and the space he provides for the students.

Hiking Mt. Baldy

On our most recent 10,000 foot hike, we thought we'd have snow.  But an unusually warm week led to a quick melt, leaving just patches.  Not to worry -- we still managed to squeeze every ounce of fun out of the hike.  Early on, we talked about "Leave no Trace" trail ethics, and the importance of picking up trash.  About a half mile into the hike, Mr. Dahlstrom found a trash can lid, which he promptly lashed to his pack, winning the award for most ambitious trash picker upper.  Of course, he had plans for that lid, and it turned into a perfect sled once we reached higher elevations.  All the students reached the top in good shape, with Sidney even running the last bit.  Though it reached the 90s down in the valley, we had a cool, comfortable 65 at the top.  A perfect hike.

 Terence and Dolly around halfway up, near the Sierra Club Hut.

 John leads us up the last steep climb.

 This lookout, about a half hour from the peak, overlooks the Baldy Bowl.

 Sidney, Dolly, Terence, John, Mr. Dahlstrom, and Ray at the peak.

 John on the "sled."

 Mr. Dahlstrom on a nice sledding slope.

 

 Crossing the Devil's Backbone

All ashore!

In an earlier post, I referred to the sense of adventure shown by the sea kayakers when our guide practically dared us to reach shore without his aid. Some context: the sun disappeared right around the time we got in the kayaks, the water was frigid, most of us had gotten soaked heading out, various parts of our bodies were numb, we were shivering, and our guide told us that 80% of people who try to reach shore on their own end up flipping over. He then asked how many of us wanted his help. He was greeted with silence. We were greeted with what you see below. The laughter you hear in the background is...ummm...mine. Disclaimer: I do NOT relish the pain and suffering of high school students. Usually.

More student-produced video

Below is the second installment filmed and produced entirely by Webb students. Thanks again to James for the film editing and to Jack, Louis, Keith and James for their tour de force at Mt. High.

Unbounded Bike Trip, Days 2-3

The heart of this trip is the cycling we do every day. However, there are side trips as well, which allow us to immerse ourselves in the history of this region. Yesterday we took a morning trip to Hearst Castle for a tour, and today we toured the Piedras Blancas lighthouse. Each afternoon we've returned to our roots for some cycling. After the first day on the coast, we spent the second day on an inland loop, riding up out of Cambria into the hills. It was 40 miles of some of the steepest and windiest riding I've ever done. The uphill grade reached 21% twice, in a section called "the steps." Several of us had to zig-zag up the road during the first half of the climb, and during the final three and a half miles, the grade averaged about 13%. This ride was not for everyone, but the boys who chose to do it were stalwarts, soldiering on through adverse conditions. After a brief descent, there was another mile climb, then a descent, then a two-mile climb. Then, in case anyone decided to let their guard down, the 9.2 mile descent back to Route 1 was harried by strong cross-winds that had the boys tilting their bikes just to stay upright. A stiff headwind then had everyone in their lowest gear going downhill. After all this, the short hill back into Cambria didn't exactly seem short, so the group took a break to eat, and then pedaled the final four miles back to our hotel. What a day!

In light of this, today's ride was relatively easier, though eight more miles into a headwind tested our resolve once again. We got to practice drafting a bit, and those who chose to go it alone realized very quickly that there was strength in numbers. We had lunch at Ragged Point, returning to the ocean overlook and a narrow, rugged trail that dropped several hundred feet to a black sand beach below. Of course we decided to take it, discovering two waterfalls and countless rocks to play on at the bottom. We then trekked back up, returned home, and headed out on our ride to the seal preserve, where we adventured off onto another side trail. The central coast certainly has provided plenty of opportunities for adventure, and this group has been sure to take them all.

The entrance way to Hearst Castle, built by newspaper magnate William Randol Hearst, who hosted scores of famous people here in the 1920s and 1930s

Davis and Chris enjoying Hearst Castle

This is the section of yesterday's climb shortly after "the steps." You can see the quick elevation gain from the road below. I was so winded I didn't get too many pictures on this ride.

Today started with a tour of the Piedras Blancas lighthouse, where Ryan got this shot.

We then continued to Ragged Point, where Zach, Steve, and Tommy got up close and personal with the roaring ocean. Thanks to Allen for this shot.

Allen at the bottom of the side trail that dropped several hundred feet to the black sand beach

Davis does his best Gollum impersonation above the waterfall

After lunch, we rode to the seal preserve, where Ryan, Sidney, Chris, Devin, and Abhi showed their true colors

Marley and Natalee take some time at the beach after riding into the wind

Ryan, Abhi, Chris, and Allen on the sandy trail to the seals.

Thanks to Ryan for this great shot

Sidney, Chris, Davis, and Devin observing a seal colony

Davis takes a moment for contemplation (kind of) in the waning sun.

Devin enjoying the sunset as we head back to San Simeon

Ryan has been experimenting with photography throughout the trip, and took these two shots on the beach outside our hotel after we got back today.

Unbounded Bike Trip, Day 1

Webb's inaugural Unbounded Days started with a splash (literally!) today as a group of cyclists capped a 30-mile morning ride with an afternoon sea-kayaking adventure. Though air and water temps were in the 50s, the whole crew had a great time throughout the day, bravely tackling steep hills and raucous waves. The ride wound along 15 miles of coastline, bluffs, flowering vegetation, pastures, cows, herons, and elephant seals to Ragged Point, where we turned around and came back. After lunch with the seals, we took a break and then went kayaking. Getting through the persistent sets of waves into calm water proved to be the most challenging part, and everyone got wet. A few of us even got completely turned over in dramatic, churning crashes, though I won't mention any names. The highlight was a cave we had to enter with perfect timing so the tide would carry us over a rock at the entry way. Once everyone was borderline hypothermic, we headed for shore, whereupon our guide said, "80% of people turn over if they try to go in alone. Who wants me to guide you in?" Not a soul raised their hand. With the exception of Tommy, we lived up (or is it down?) to the statistics. Video of the train wreck to come. I can't imagine having that much fun and feeling that fulfilled while being that cold. Day one: A+.

Tommy

Henry

Ryan

One word describes Marley: moxie

The group at Ragged Point, our turn-around spot

Allen at the top of the climb out of Ragged Point

Chris

Abhi

Devin

We stopped at a seal preserve for lunch, where hundreds of elephant seals gather along the coast in the winter to breed. These pups are the result.

One of the bulls is in the lower right, hogging the good spot. The bulls weigh between 3000 and 5000 pounds.

The trail that wound through the elephant seal preserve was loaded with flowering vegetation. It's the perfect time of year to be here.

Natalee

Drew

Davis

The group getting ready to get soaked.

Henry and Sidney

Natalee, Marley, Davis

Allen and Abhi enter the cave.

Natalee and Marley emerge from the cave.

Tommy, Steve, and Zach head to shore. Of the three of them, only one will not be soaked when he gets out.

Sunset from our hotel