Navigating the Channel

   When you read this story you are going to think, “Those Lowerys never stay home!” Well, it does seem like we’ve been traveling a lot lately, perhaps catching up from Al’s surgery and recuperation most of last summer. So far this month there have been two trips to the coast, the first to Oxnard and the second to Los Osos.

   Actually the trip to Oxnard was planned out last spring, even before we suspected that there would be a hip surgery during the summer. My brother and sister-in-law had invited us to spend a weekend with them. While there, we drove to Ventura and made reservations for an October boat ride to Santa Cruz Island, part of the Channel Islands National Park.

   The four of us looked forward to that trip from that day until mid-October and as it turned out, the timing turned out to be perfect. When the day of the adventure arrived, we were all healthy, the weather was good and there happened to be a run of fish that created an exciting event on the boat ride back to Ventura.

   Laden down with backpacks and lunch supplies, we boarded the boat as it bobbed up and down in the choppy waters. The captain and crew informed us that we might need to be dropped off at a different bay on Santa Cruz Island due to unusually high waves; however, by the time the forty-five minute ride was over, the water was calm enough to transport everyone safely to the original beach at the Scorpion Marine Reserve. Small Kodiaks took us from the larger ship to the shore, seven or eight people at a time.

   Once onshore the island, Jack, Debbie, Al and I decided to hike on a trail  along a nearby ridge overlooking the ocean with a view of the mysterious looking Anacapa Island, also in the chain of the five islands comprising the park. It was a very nice walk, with several sightings of Island foxes along the way, small reddish foxes that are making a good comeback after near extinction. We ate lunch while sitting down on dried grass, overlooking the ocean.

   Crossing the Santa Barbara Channel on the return trip, our boat was suddenly engulfed by dolphins. “It’s a mega pod of common dolphins,” the captain announced, “three thousand or more!” He turned the engine off and the boat rocked back and forth with each swell, probably tilting sideways even more due to all of its passengers hanging over the rails to see the amazing sight.

   He informed us that earlier in the day there had been sightings of small groups of dolphins, possibly scouts hunting for food, who signaled other pods in the area. The captain also said that because dolphins can’t see well, they rely on echolocation to navigate while traveling at high speeds through the water. This ability is similar to that used by humans (sonar) in navigating and is necessary for their survival.

   We were completely captivated and could have stayed there all day; but after several minutes the captain started for the shoreline once again. He also demonstrated expert use of navigation techniques as he maneuvered the boat back to Ventura. Due to many shipwrecks in that area, especially around the islands, a lighthouse was built on Anacapa Island in the 1800’s.

   Expert navigation is needed—not only by dolphins and mariners but also by us! Guidance in decision-making is crucial. Often we receive help by the advice of trusted friends, ‘common’ sense, circumstances or from other sources. In addition, God has promised to guide us by giving us wisdom obtained through the Bible and also through the leadership of the Holy Spirit. On our part, we need to seek Him and be obedient to His leading. When He is the captain of the boat there is no fear of shipwreck!

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5 NIV