My main area of interest lies in living an example through my arts, expressing and exposing others to the fullfilling life of natureconnected being..
Fine Arts Major: Last two years of high school. I can honestly say that without the art studies and wonderful support from my Fine Arts instructor's I would most likely have been a high school drop out. The arts are my second 'Attraction' in life. The outdoors in almost all conditions would be my first!
Galapagos: 1 Month and 10 days assisting as port and ship's crew onboard the Sea Shepherd 'Sirenian', a 95 foot retired Coast Guard Cutter. 12 days at sea, some of which was enjoyed in open waters between Costa Rica and Galapagos Islands. Work included learning the 'ropes' and gear of deck management, stowing of all goods on board for rough seas, food management. Fueling the boat (which was a task unto itself in several 3rd world locations). Stripping and scrapping paint for resurfacing and then resurfacing. I was also asked to organize the graphic work on the boat which included US Coast Guard stripes in Equadorian colors on both bow sides of the boat and the Sea Shepherd Logo and the Galapagos Parks Board logo's on either side of the stack, as well as the lettering stern and aft. I have kept a journal of the experience for reference and have a certificate of sea time from the Captain. This journey took us into totally environmentally corruptcommunities as well as unique and pristine conditions threatened by environmental corruption due to invasion by recreational and industrial use. More info on this below in 'Galapagos Venture'.
VisionQuest: A Canadian RCMP and Aboriginal People's vision to work towards and participate in a natural environment, healing center and program for addictive behaviors. I participated in the project by coordinating over 35 artists of our local community on the Sunshine Coast, BC to attend a presentation and performance, asking each artist to donate a piece of their creative product or energy towards an art auction. Over 35 signed up to participate. Invited to join thewar canoe paddling team for a days video taping and practice, we spent approximately 4 hours on the waters surrounding Pender Harbor, team paddling and enjoying the surrounding land and seascapes. I also wrote a song called 'Descent Into Madness' for promotional use in the project and was an invited entertainer at their Festival introducing the project, in Victoria BC.
Orcalab: OrcaLab, Hanson Island, BC is off the NE end of Vancouver Island, BC and is the home of Dr. Paul Spong and his wife Helena Symonds and daughter Anna. Dr. Spong is a researcher in Orca language and life. I became involved with the Orca project to 'Free Corky' an acting Shamu of Sea World San Diego. More info on links page. Writing a song 'Corky's Song' and painting a picture of her wild and free with one of her captive born. It is a sad, sad story of mankind's nature in dealing with other species. Working on the 'Freedom Bus' I traveled for a week or so setting up a banner created mostly by children from all around the world. The banner is over 2 miles long! Ending up on Hanson Island I finally was to meet Dr. Spong and his wife Helena and stayed on as a volunteer research assistant for approximately 10 days before having to head for home This was my introduction to whales in the wild which brought me to my position with Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. My work on Hanson Island included, early mornings and late nights of listening, observing and recording vocal patterns of local orcas (from hydrophones) and behavior as observed from the lab deck, also participating in evening lectures given by Dr. Spong and Helena. Later that same year I returned for a weekend workshop with a gathering of whale related individuals including whale watch groups, research and students of marine biology, and some just caring individuals dedicating their life to working with another species. On island I also visited the 'Grandmother Tree' an ancient being of immense girth and height, as well as the CMT's 'Culturally Modified Trees, a name given to the surviving ancient trees used by aboriginal peoples for sustainable harvest. About two years later, I designed and painted a mural on the interior of the 'Freedom Bus' for Corky.
Equestrian Experience: Over ten years of applied learning and training in this field helped me to establish a healthy/respectful working relationship and rapport with the horses I worked with/and including other animals. Starting with the severe discipline and instruction in dressage and cross country competition I soon changed direction to a gentler more 'natureconnected' discipline, that of 'balanced riding'. I have over 56 hours of hands-on, directed, workshop experience in the 'Tellington Touch' developed by author Linda Tellington-Jones who has experience working with the Russian Equestrian Team and many circus animals. Also 'Balanced Riding' as written by Sally Swift a student of the Alexander technique of rehabilitative therapy.
Cold Mountain Institute ( Holly Hock): Cortez Island, BC. A Professional team assisted personal growth workshop on relationships. One week, intense live-in, therapeutic exchange of experience and techniques in personal growth and relationships.
Windows to the Soul: Spiritual Awakening Weekend Workshops in self and interpersonal relationships. Leader Reverend Hanalorre. More info on links page. Experience in guided meditation, letting go, grief, fear, stress management, life goals and directions, and spiritual connection based on our personal and professional lives in and around nature and our community's. Approximately 60 hrs. At least 20 of those hours were spent assisting the facilitation of the workshops with my music/poetry and nature connect activities and experiences.
Hobby Farming: Included at home, on the job training and experience in watershed management (I worked for two years on a team developing and supporting environmental preservation of endangered watersheds, including research and presentation of sustainable forest harvest and forestry management) Our group successfully halted a 'slash & spray' herbicidal treatment of a community watershed that had been previously damaged by poor forestry management and established an ongoing group called SCEPP.
Selective logging of ten and forty acre parcels, providing for the limited development and sustainable use of family organic gardening and farming. This included learning to run and maintain a 2' blade chain saw, bucking, limbing, choking, of logs for removal and use; also running the green chain end of a home built sawmill, driving a farm tractor and a large backhoe. Techniques in splitting shakes for roofing, peeling and measuring logs for construction use was also an on-the-job experience. We also had to re-establish our own watershed which had been badly damaged by previous logging operations. We maintained over 50% of the environment in as natural a state as we could, only developing for our own use what we needed.
Animal husbandry and management: With instruction from local veterinarians I learned to mix organic blends of feed for home raised beef, chicken, turkey, goats, ducks, rabbits and geese, also providing them with appropriate shelter and range , and first aid and doctoring as required for their health and happiness. I was also instructed in animal husbandry from artificial insemination, castration, to the delivery of calves, foals, and a variety of furred and feathered litters. I taught myself from books the techniques of humane butchering (if there is such a thing).
Organic Gardening: I researched and developed two family garden plots from non-vegetable producing forest land into fully productive & sustainable organic gardens. Using available manures, seaweed and other organic material within two years the gardens produced substantial and high quality produce. I also researched and taught myself the best means of canning and otherwise preserving these gifts of nature for year long consumption.
'Marine Naturalist Training' Friday Harbor, Whale Museum, WA. This experience educated me to the diverse and extensive wildlife in my temporary home environment on the San Juan Islands, WA as well as provided me with a recognized certificate towards employment in the Islands as a Marine Naturalist. Approximately 60 hours of combined in class lecture and presentation and in the field experience. My practicum was concluded through the Whale Museum with approx. 8 hours in their boat on the water as an assistant with their 'whale watchers' monitoring program as well as performing for groups of children at the museum.
bio-brief | artist's cv | resume | self-education | commendation letter | galapagos venture
outdoor-odysseys
SEA SHEPHERD CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Would like to officially recognize
Wendy Harford
For a job well done.
Her patience and tenacity demonstrated a high level of professionalism
At all tasks taken on:
Employment:
Quick Books For Non Profit Accounting
Raisers Edge For Windows-Data Base
Peach Tree Accounting Software
Microsoft Word & Excel
Outlook
Wendy's professional manner in relationship with Vendors, Financial Institutions, Constituents,
Staff and Board Members, have made her a valuable asset with SSCS.
Volunteer Hours:
Graphic Design: 30 hours
Computer Software Education: Over 240 hours
Ships Port Crew: 120 hours
(Included, Graphic Design and Application of: Lettering, Stripes & Logo's of the Sirenian)
Office Support: 104 hours
(Facilitating Transition into New Office, Organization of Supplies & Merchandise Inventory)
Wendy has shown great initiative in taking on tasks that she was not necessarily familiar with
and was willing to work the extra hours to both learn and complete the task.
Wendy
Here is a Great Big Thanks from
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society.
Because of your efforts the goals of this organization are more attainable.
February 9, 2001
Founder & President : Captain Paul Watson
Chief Operating Officer: Victoria Hartman
In the beginning there was a solid black, retired Coast Guard Cutter docked at Lake Union, Seattle, WA.
Fall of 2000.
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Day one, Friday night after many days of delay and now stormy weather coming. Sirenian arrives in Friday Harbor for a send off with the Office Staff, dinner at the Ale House, and afterwards Dinah, Linda, Jimmy and I end up at 'Herb's Place' for full blown blues and dancing, closing the joint down. No drinking just mad dancing and lots of water. No hangovers wanted for tomorrow's leave taking.
First night on the boat. 8 crew, Captain Watson, First Mate: Mat Lawson, Second Mate: Chris Hall, Chief Engineer: Jimmy Whitmer (our redneck Floridian), 2nd Engineer: Linda Taylor, Bosun: Dinah Elissat and the Deck Crew/Chief Cook and bottle washers: Sean O'hearn (red haired, fair skinned and freckled, not the least bit Irish and born and raised in Puerto Rico, fluent spanish (our interpreter),and computer tech wizard from Wall Street ,New York), Tilikum, and Me, last but never least.
< That's me in the disarrayed braid and sunglasses.
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We had to wait until after 2pm for the winds to calm down, although why we did that I am still not sure, cause we hit them again later and spent most of 2 days traveling with, and outrunning the storm. As it was we anchored out in Neah Bay for the night before venturing into the big water around the point. My first watch. 4 hours, midnight until 4am, watching us swing on our anchor to make sure we don't drag!
Day 3 dawns gray, wet and stormy and we head out. The autopilot in the wheel house is not working properly and when we hit a big swell or wave it beeps and buzzes and takes us around in a full circle before we can stop it and resume manual control. Very interesting feature of this particular auto-control and no one can figure why. It would not be so bad if we were in calm seas, but in storm water the last thing you want is to be swinging broadside when a wave hits, not that the Sirenian would go under, but she does lay on her side easily, and most uncomfortably. She rides like a mix-master, but cuts through the waves powerfully for an 'old broad'. Everyone is seasick or getting seasick, I had used a low dose of bonine, a mild seasick remedy and found a corner on the bridge where I could just hang out and watch what was going on. No one had anything much to do, except Mat and Jimmy at this point and no one wanted to eat for a couple of days, made my life easy and interesting watching the white water come crashing over the bow and over the bridge...
I read 4 books on the way down. The guys had it bad, but of course were to macho to admit it until later when they got into swapping their harrowing puking over the rail ventures. Lovely 'boy' stories as you can well imagine, with each trying to outdo the other.
Day 4 I am told by Matt that I will be taking a turn at the wheel (the autopilot still not working, so now we are manually steering) I have never handled a boat nor used radar, so I agreed but I told him someone else had to be on the bridge who had experience or I wouldn't do it. We ended shifting in teams anyway. My first shift dawned bright and calm and beautiful, everyone coming into better spirits with the calmer sea and bright sun, though still cold!!!
Not a whole lot of eating going on either, at this point. Soda crackers, bread, ginger tea, my ginger cookies, lots of water and gingerale!! I managed to steer the boat and learn the radar in beautiful calm waters (at least calm compared to the day ++ before). Never did make it into the engine room, though, except to hang my laundry.
San Francisco: No time to call anyone, we pulled in, sat for about an hour waiting to be called to fuel, people on and off the boat to make quick phone calls and stretch their legs, but really no where to go for such a short stay. Finally pulled over to the fueling area and fueled up no problem!!! I emphasize this because later you will hear some harrowing tales of fueling up in third world countries!!! Off we go again, into the wild green yonder...
2 + uneventful days of rotating shifts and walking about the deck, at least in the calmer sea we could do some of that, though not much without getting soaked as even in the rollers, the Sirenian cuts through and takes water over the bow. Still much better than before and some cooking and mealtime together in the noisy hot galley, next to the engine room!! Also hanging out with my engine room buddies on the stern behind the stack where you are more protected from the spray, even a few moments sitting on the stern deck, with my book in hand reading as we rolled.
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The new Sirenian, all in white
with US Coast Guard Stripes in Equadorian colors.
Marina Del Ray, CA Winter of 2000
Stripes, lettering and stack logos as designed and applied
by, yours truly, in near freezing rain conditions,
Lake Union Seattle.
There is nothing quite like hanging over the side
on a low float at water level, standing on buckets to reach high
enough with a freezing wake rolling and bouncing
and splashing you around and buckets of paint sloshing around!
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Marina del Ray Beautiful dawning day. My shifts were the best, 4-8am and pm. I saw the sunrise and sunset each day over the everchanging waters. Today was oil rigs and sea lions. Also a pod of dolphins somewhere along this route, surfing the wake and bowridding and surrounding the boat for quite a ways!! We were moored right in the harbor next to the bar and restaurant for a few days, ended up I believe 8 to 10 days in Marina del Ray (a least favorite place to hang out for that long) We finished the deck and polished the stacks of soot again, and were given a grand celebrity send off. John Paul De Joria was there with his wife and wonderful gifts of his wonderful hair products (came in handy for wet, tangled, salty incrusted braids, so I did not have to shave my head after all) there were others I recognized but none whose names I could give you. Linda Blair had come to visit a few days before and we all had our picture taken with her, all wearing our Sea Shepherd Black. Two of our supporters in the LA area delivered a complete turkey dinner for about 20 plus people which got gorged on and then stuffed into every nock and cranny still available on the boat. Someone else wanted to donate another thousand bagels but we kindly persuaded them not to, we were still feeding th e last 500 bagels to the seagulls. At the very last minute someone arrived with a bakery of pies, cakes and sweet-rolls, many were eaten , but the last few ended their days in a pie fight on the deck. No, I did not wear one, we had just come out of a particularly grueling fueling experience and I was finally showered and clean, I threatened to throw anyone overboard who hit me with a pie, but the fun was had by all!!!
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We finally leave LA minus one female crew 'Dinah' a great loss, she knows the Sirenian better than anyone on her. And added one male crew member, a friend of 'redneck' Jimmy or 'Chief' as we called him, engineer. Tommy his friend is a 'surfer' with all the jokes postures, but not the build, too much beer and tequila, still very upbeat and positive nature. Our saying for the remainder of the voyage became, Everything is 'Bueno' good!!! Smooth sailing with a few extra crew as far as San Pedro where we stopped to fuel again. No problems here, but I was sent out with my handy check book to pick up filters for our water-makers, (which we would desperately need from this point on!!!) An hour inland and back, rush, rush, rush, to get back and find out they were just starting to fuel, took forever and we had to cram her nose right into the dock to reach the line, interesting when other ships passed us and she would nose forward, but the lines held, (we were getting pretty damn good at tying her up in almost all conditions by now, good thing too, even without Dinah to crack the whip! Wait until you hear some of the ventures fueling in Mexico!!!
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Slowly shedding our winter wear from the storms down the west coast to Marina Del Ray,
scrapping the decks and applying the final paint.
Leaving our tourist crew to find their way's home we headed out into foreign waters for the first time. Mexico here we come. Cabo San Lucas first. Smooth sailing and lots of deck time, out came the sunscreen and foamies on deck, some of us were even sleeping on deck, particularly after we left Cabo. We were heading for La Paz (which is a place I would have been interested in checking out) but somehow First Mate Mat convinced Paul that touristy Cabo would be better. We actually swam off the boat the first day, the second day we noticed garbage and a film floating on the water and no one ventured in. Everyone else went to shore to drink and party, I stayed on the boat for time alone, peace and quiet, except for the constant hum of the generator, can't complain about that. Linda had left the boat to head back to the Ocean Warrior (so I was the only female pirate of the threesome left aboard and it didn't feel like much fun going ashore without them) in Amsterdam, she is our 2nd Chief or Chiefs helper and Charles our Chief on the Warrior was headed home for Christmas, besides without Dinah around Linda prefers the bigger Warrior to the Sirenian anyway!!! Well there went my female buddies, only one woman left on the boat besides me and she was only 23, very sweet, hard worker, but still very young and naive in many ways.
While tied up to fuel the Mexican Navy came to check us out, had to take all of our names and signatures and quick inspection of the boat, nothing serious and no guns. Remember we look fairly threatening with the Coast Guard cut of the boat, her US Coast Guard stripes in Equadorian colors and a dead torpedo on deck. Fueling took awhile but no problems, everything fit and worked as it should and we were off, from here to Acapulco where we were stuck for two days without fueling cause Paul wouldn't pay the price, but we still had to clear immigration/customs before we could leave the harbor. On to Salina Cruz which I highly recommend passing right by if given the choice, by this time we were running on fumes and had no choice.
Two days and one night in a cesspool!!! Honestly raw sewage was draining past the boat. The only saving grace was the constant wind which kept the heated perfume from dalying around the boat for too long. First we were to fuel at 2pm of the first day, then 10am, of the second day, then 2pm, which made it hard to leave the boat for any length of time. I did manage an hour ashore with Tilikum, Sean, and Tommy, hunting for the 'hammock' man, and managed to send a quickie email before the call came to run back to the boat for fueling. Everyone on shore had to carry a radio or be with someone who had one. We ran back to the boat, cast off and headed to the other side to dock for fueling, 4pm. 'How many mexicans does it take to fuel a boat???' Don't ask!!! 5 to stand around and figure it out and one to sell hats and watches to the others...no kidding. 3 hours later, now 7pm they have finally figured out how to fit a four inch pipe to our 2 inch intake (imagine how that is going to work, or maybe you would rather not...) needless to say I brought up double the stack of absorbant mats and buckets and it still wasn't enough!!! They did mention that they had a fueling barge for the smaller boats and that, that may have been an option, but only after this fiasco had been connected. The first tank went fine, the second one overflowed when they vented the pipe and blew out all over the deck, me and Jimmy up to our elbows in diesal and trying to keep the absorbent pads where they would prevent the spill into the water, we did it, but we were soaked, in our hair all over us, and thats not all. We managed to cap that one and clean up that mess (they kept spilling fuel on the deck as they went, it seems they couldn't figure out gravity feed, and keeping the end higher than the outlet on the dock, they also kept wanting absorbent pads but not to soak up the deck where they spilled, to wipe their own hands with!!! OK, now to the front tanks, #1 OK, number two the force of the flow backwashes into the shower stall in the forward head (no problem, it is in the gray water tank and can be siphoned off later),whew, done. Now the forward, forward tank, filled no problem, but wait a minute guys, they are literally pouring the fuel all over the deck, three of them trying to figure out where all the fuel is coming from (the three stooges) again wiping their hands, swearing and cursing and literally jumping up and down they gradually get it under control. The forward deck now looks like it has been flocked for xmas with absorbent pads everywhere, again I am up to my elbows and braids in diesel and Jimmy has completely given up (mumbling about his license and glad that he is in Mexico and not US waters....) Finally they have the connection in hand and not dripping, but now, how do three Mexicans pass a 4" hose and connector to three other Mexicans, by flip flopping it all over and pouring several quarts if not gallons over the side and into the water, more cursing and swearing, we pull in the lines and leave, still cleaning the deck and sponging the spilled diesel into buckets, glad to be on our way and out of the stench.
It is now after 10pm, I am on watch at 4 am so I sorta wash up and hit the sack (I have been up since 7am from the stench and preparations to fuel at any time) You get so you can sleep through just about anything. 8am I shower and hit the forward deck, clean, at sea in the fresh ocean air, hot clear skies, and along comes Jimmy with the first pie. He must have read the look in my eyes real good, or noticed my wet shinny hair, cause he stopped in mid motion. He and Chris and a couple of others pranced all over the deck throwing pies, Chris pretending to be maimed and bleeding with raspberry pie filling down his chest, back and legs, one pie almost flew into the forward bunk, lucky not!!! That's where I sleep, it came within inches and the boat was covered with piefilling. A good excuse for a water fight!!!next!! And a cleansing of the spirit from rough sea's and containment in close quarters
Next shift 4pm the waves are building, beautiful clear skies, but we are starting to rock and getting too much spray over the bow to be comfortable outside anymore. By the end of the shift we are rocking and rolling, then pounding. I awake several times to find that I have one arm jammed tensely into the bunk above me and the other holding a pipe on the side of the boat just as tensely, but I sleep anyway, it is the only way to stay in the bunk. For the next day we are crashing through the waves, it is not a following sea like the storm in Seattle, we are bucking our way straight into the waves, the bridge crew guys are all sick again and one is getting grumpy, he can't sleep and wants to slow the boat down, which only makes it wallow more. Tempers are high and so are the waves, though not threatening. A fight nearly breaks out on the crowded bridge where everyone is massed due to the poor weather out, seasickness and waves over the bow. It could have been an enjoyable venture for those of us who fared well in the heavier seas, but not to be. Oh well, such is the nature of volunteer crews or so I am told, I am sure that there is a better way. For instance one could have cleared the bridge of all crew but the watch, sent the temper tantrum lad to his bunk to ride it out and the rest of the crew wherever, it is what happened after the 'storm' anyway but after many foul words, shaken fists, and threats, not unlike a bar scene gotten out of control. No one was hurt, the boat rode fine without its crew in attention and all went well, so not to worry. Later everyone made up and on we went. There remain some crew I would prefer not to sail with again however, no names mentioned.
On an altered course now that takes us closer to shore, the heavier seas diminish and everyone including the boat is riding calmer now. Only hours away from our next fuel stop Costa Rica. We eventually check into a harbor and are instructed to our fueling stop with papers in order. We pass many, what look to be clean and hospitable hotels on the beach, beaches, walkways, palm shades, outdoor bars, it looks so inviting, only to pull into the fueling/industrial section where we tie up to an Asian fishing vessel (at least it is not so stinky as Salina Cruz, but not that much better either) I couldn't make the jumps required to cross the other boat and shimmy up the cement dock so I stay aboard once again (angry with myself for not taking care of my body better (take heed) it does catch up to you at some point) The guys are kind enough to bring me cold pop and beer and treats though and I am the first to greet Aidan Quinn (actor who may be playing Captain Watson in the movie based on his book, Ocean Warrior) I can't very well help him across but the Asian crew are friendly and assist where they can (no English spoken hear either) The evening is interesting as all head into shore for dinner with Aidan, again I stay on the boat, (damn my right leg, it keeps cramping and pinching the nerve and I don't dare jump or land on it until it heals again) Time for new x-rays or something!!!! Anyway, it is actually quite nice on the boat alone, and I am really not a people person anyway, it would just be another drinking night in a foreign place. I can wait for the Galapagos where I can afford to get off and wonder through the small village and shore side on my own. I watch a movie, and keep watch on the boat (I have a cattle prod and an electric shocking device available should I need them, but never a problem in any port) All are very friendly, although some teenagers in Cabo San Lucas, poured pop and left smashed cans all over the skiff one night! I end up acting as the relayer of messages over the radios as they don't seem to be connecting to the two shore parties, only to the boat, and I have to keep rewinding the movie I am watching as I go. I slept on deck that night, much cooler, awakened around 6pm by the sunrise and the gurgling of our bilge sewage vent. Not a good sound. Luckily we are leaving today and will be able to pump it out a sea.
Only slight problems fueling at this, our last stop before the Galapagos, our longest run and across the gulf in open waters all the way, so we want every drop we can manage. We are fueled from a pumper truck which does not seem able to govern the speed of the fuel so there is some burping and farting along the fuel lines and vents, but nothing as disaster ridden as Salina Cruz and soon we are on our way again with the tide which is just reaching the high water mark in time for us to leave. This is a river inlet and at low tide we would be stuck again!!
Off we go, once again into the wild green yonder. The water is mild, there is much phosphoresence, some dolphins, flying fish landing on the boat fore and aft and boobies riding the air current of the boat as well as riding the bow (asleep, head tucked in, and never falling off) It is a pleasant beautiful watch both AM and PM and all are happy again, enjoying the breeze and the sun and the salt. Everything is salty. You cannot eat or drink or sweat without the taste of salt, in your hair, eyelashes and skin encrusted with crystals of salt, clothing smelling of diesel and salt combined, very ocean going altogether, and not at all unpleasant. Rather a proud distinction of managing to be here at all. We sleep and eat and work in the same clothes for days on end. What is the point otherwise. Of course when in port or a day of very calm seas everyone trys to get into the shower and do their laundry and then the boat is covered in flagging clothes and glistening bodies, for only moments before the sweat and diesel fumes and salt take over once again. Like I said what is the point. The point being, it is such a wonderful feeling to be free of the salt and diesel and feel squecky clean if only for a moment, it is worthwhile, at least once in 3 days or so.
We arrive at Cocos Islands, our first and only pleasure stop, before the Galapagos, almost everyone is off the ship instantly, exploring in the skiff, snorkeling, swimming (except the ever diligent and somewhat resentful engineering crew, who have tasks to fulfill while they can, and before they enjoy the beautiful waters and vision of the tropical islands and their greenery and waterfalls. There are reef sharks at about 30 feet below the swimmers, no hammerheads are seen. Even Captain Watson is physically aroused enough to head into the warm seas (like bath water) for a lengthy snorkeling venture. The Parks Board Crew who watch over the Islands (10 of them in two camps) arrive for a visit and explanation (we were supposed to register before we came) but they allow us to anchor for the few hours we intend to be there and even invite us to their main camp for refreshments, all home grown and prepared, banana's and fruit bread, watermelon, pineapple.... Everyone refreshed, showered and shaved and well fed we head out once again.
Aidan is saying how he would like to witness and experience some 'whitewater over the bow' he has never been out much more than an hour or so in sheltered water. Next, Aidan's wish is granted in nearly full force and he is truly initiated as one of the crew!!!
As we leave the beautiful Isle of Cocos far off the coast of the Costa Rica Mainland, the sky's gray and the winds pick up. I have been up since 4am it is now sometime in the early afternoon and I have watch again at 4pm so after a few moments on deck enjoying the leave taking of the beautiful islands I head below for some music and sleep. 4pm I am up being tossed and turned once again in every direction, white water is definitely over the bow and when I heave, ho, and pull my way up, sidewise and every which direction to the bridge, there is Aidan curled in my favorite corner of the bridge, green and miserable, but still manages a smile when I point to him and remind him he asked for this!!! He smiles weakly and says 'but I only asked for a little bit.' I mumble, that he should not make wishes or requests of Neptune without being assured of a full response. Oh, well he said he wanted the full experience and that he had only had brief moments on a boat before this time in harbors I believe. He got his wish and weathered in good temper if not in good health. I let him use my bunk (which was a lower one and easier to fall in and out of) and kept my watch. This was actually a very physical watch and one I did a lot of hanging from the overhead hand rail. That way you can really sway with the boat and take the weight off. You don't need to work out on the Sirenian, she does it for you!!! Other than rain and wind and water over the bow, nothing really exciting this watch and so it goes, my time off is spent in my bunk reading or listening to music which is about all you can do when she rocks and rolls like this, I tried some beading once but had to give up for calmer seas and playing the guitar would have been impossible even if I could find room to play it in. Most of the crew hung out on the bridge during the day, storm or not, so it was very crowded and not my scene. Like I said, I managed to read 6 books in total including the 22 hour trip home from the Galapagos. Next chapter. The storm is gradually clearing but the sky's are darkening for the night anyway.
The next day is not at all unpleasant and everyone is out once again, grooming ruffled feathers, airing the inside of the boat and generally enjoying the ever nearing coastline of our destination. The storm clouds part, the air is cooler, not so sweaty hot as before when wearing even nothing would have been unpleasant without a cold shower handy. Paul threatens a cold shower for all of us who have never crossed the equator before but somehow there is no cold water available and that thought is left behind.
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The first day at Santa Cruz, Galapagos we all managed to go into town for at least the afternoon. I stay aboard that night again, as I really like the peace and quiet of being alone on the boat and everyone else is off to a shared dinner in town. I have already eaten a big lunch so a movie onboard with popcorn is all I need!! A peaceful evening on board did I say. First the crew arrives from the parks board to pick up the donated computers and TV with a boat too small to manage it all in. Then Chris arrives back with the skiff and I commandeer him into helping them, not something he is at all happy about, but does anyway if grudgingly.
Then the people from the Darwin center arrive to pick up their microscopes (good thing someone stayed on board) Then Chris arrives back with the skiff and try's to load it back on the boat by itself, we are anchored in harbor but with good size rollers rocking us and he ends up smashing the skiff into the side before those of us still on board know what is happening (Jimmy had stayed back to watch a movie before heading out for his evening with the boys on the town) I would go with them, but what woman in her right mind wants to spend an evening with 3 'boy's' trying to out drink each other and pick up loose women. (Would you say that is a fair description Tommy, Jimmy, Sean??? eh!
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This is when I really start to miss Linda and Dinah, they know how to have a good time without all the other jazz and we can dance, dance, dance.... but not to be. Anyway Jimmy and I go rushing out from our movie (4th disturbance now and Jimmy has given upon the movie) to help Chris with the boat, it is completely out of control, but the guys manage to get it together and get it aboard, finally without killing anyone or knocking a hole in the side of either boat. I go back to watch another movie, thinking that is the end of it, I thought they were calling a water taxi (Sean is also aboard at this time) but oh no, the next thing I know is the boat is up over the railing and swinging into the guard in front of the engine room door, completely out of control again, Chris is trying to manhandle it by himself and cursing and swearing and name calling through it all. I hold my ground to watch if there is something that The Parks Board has invited us for a tour of the highlands and to meet the great tortoise's. At ten we are already to go and head over to the island from the boat via water taxi. Paul doesn't join us, but as we find out when we get there he is expected as part of the documentary that is being filmed. So we wait while they go back to fetch him. (he has been on this particular tour before) We visit the tortoise's in thier home ground. Remember Alki and Bromo, mom and dad, well these are really big guys. They are big, slow, shy individuals, and love to wallow in the mud during rainy season. We are with the tortoise's for about an hour and then head back, on our way we pass a fossilized shell.Whalers nearly caused the extinction of these great reptiles, a main food source on their journey to kill whales, they would keep them aboard alive and cut off pieces as they needed them!!!! And just toss the shells or steal their water supply by cutting out the water bladder and leave them to die, why so cruel to other creatures, what brings us to this???
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Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, the Galapagos. The Parks Board has invited us for a tour of the highlands and to meet the great tortoise's. At ten we are already to go and head over to the island from the boat via water taxi. Paul doesn't join us, but as we find out when we get there he is expected as part of the documentary that is being filmed. So we wait while they go back to fetch him. (he has been on this particular tour before) We visit the tortoise's in thier home ground. Remember Alki and Bromo, mom and dad, well these are really big guys. Mat took a picture of me with one of them I hope to see it one day and will forward it when I can. I also have some other photographs I am waiting to scan and can share them. They are big, slow, shy individuals, and love to wallow in the mud during rainy season. We are with the tortoise's for about an hour and then head back, on our way we pass a fossilized shell. Whalers nearly caused the extinction of these great reptiles, a main food source on their journey to kill whales, they would keep them aboard alive and cut off pieces as they needed them!!!! And just toss the shells or steal their water supply by cutting out the water bladder and leave them to die, why are we so cruel to other creatures, what brings us to this???
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Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos,
Giant Tortoise, inland. 2000
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I have to go back one day to do the water tour and visit the rest of the islands, one day!!!
Here my venture closes other than the 22 hour travel home playing leap frog with Sean, on bus and ferry and bus from Puerto Ayora to the Island of Baltra to catch the flight off the Island. This journey started the day before when I jumped ship to find a room on the island for my last night and early morning departure the following day. I say goodby to Mat and Tillicum, Chris and Jimmy (and Jimmy kindly leaves me with his watch as I had dropped mine into the sink and it wasn't working) 7am then head off with full packs to find a room, a lady flags me down on the tree, no english, but we understand each other fine and I have a fine room with a cold shower, $5.00 US a night and breakfast for $2.50. I skip the breakfast, get out of my pack and head out for a long walk to Tortega Bay with another woman staying at the same hotel, she speaks some spanish and actually helps me negotiate the room payment, passport... part of the room taking then off we go. After the two hour walk we divide up planning to meet for dinner and head to the village side of town for a 'real meal' arro con poyo. I try to book my flight that the travel agency has promised to research for me the day before, no luck, no can do, come back later. I head to the Tame airline office and at least book my flight next day off the Islands to Quito on the mainland where I figure if worst comes to worst I will camp out in the airport until I can grab a flight to the states somewhere on the westcoast (heck I have contacts from San Diego all the way to Vancouver, that shouldn't be to difficult) I manage to book the flight off the Island and Sean offers to come and help me and see me off so we agree to meet the next morning at 7am at the bus. I then walk to the Darwin center and do my tour of that area, more turtles only in pens there, I don't really like it there, more marine iguana's along the way and manage to find the calendars I want and a doll for Taysha Rose (my Granddaugher) along the way. Then back to the travel agency, still no luck, they can't even find the girl who was to research my travel tickets from Quito. Oh well, it is after all an Island, Christmas Eve Day, and Island time, so I head to my room for a cold shower and siesta. Up at 5:30 pm and head to the travel agency again, still no luck only this time he tells me it is not possible. Well I have my ticket off Island anyway so Quito here I come. Dinner with Dahlia, my spanish speaking, hotel friend and a walk around the native part of the town. She is dark and fits right in, but I guess I must stand out like a sore thumb. Anyway the food is good and incredibly reasonable and then we walk some more, both of us gearing up on bottled water, juice, fruit and munchies for our next days venture, then back to the hotel for a good nights sleep. She is off at 5:30am for a boat tour to Isobella and I am off to catch my bus.
6:00 I am up and organizing 6:30am I am off to get my ticket and meet my bus, I am met just down the street by a ticket vender via bicycle and so gladly stash my packs and stroll through the waterfront park as I wait, one eye on my bags at all time. I meet some women from Australia who are headed for Peru and have had a tour of the Sirenian just the day before along with several others Paul must have escorted, they are all excited and asking questions about what Sea Shepherd is doing in the Galapagos, also wondering what Paul has against Greenpeace, I guess he was going on about that again... At any rate the bus pulls out, me on it, but no Sean. Oh well it is not as if I can't carry my own packs, and so far I have managed OK without any spanish. Next a ferry ride to the Island of Baltra. run fast stash your pack now jostle your way onto this wee ferry, don life jackets and seconds later you have arrived (and I do mean seconds, so like why the life jackets???) On the other side we wrestle for our packs and jostle to line up for the buses to the airport. I miss the first buses and low and behold there is Sean, come over on the second ferry. Then he manages to catch the next bus and I miss it and so catch the third bus to the airport where we meet again. There is just time for a quick coffee and visit and I am off alone once again.At Quito the main city of Equador and main airport someone is sure to speak English?!?!?!? I arrive Quito (clock change again) around 3pm and the Airline offices are closed for the day, I am just praying that they are not closed for the entire holiday!!! Yes, there is a bank machine that takes, my card and two cheap restaurants with American style food, go figure. Also a hotel across the street, cause this is an open air, cement slab, no chair or seating except in the restaurant which closes at night and armed guards all around. Hmmmmmmmmmm I think I wil check into the hotel, two nights I figure. No, they don't speak English either. A mime and a bit of help from a stranger and I have my room overlooking the lovely (facetious) airport for the night. I immediately drop my bags and take with me my passport, cash, cards, the important stuff and head back to the airport. I manage to locate the Continental Office but I am still not sure if it will be open Christmas Day. I can't get the pay phones to work and what good anyway the operators speak Spanish. Finally I find a telephone service on the upper level of the International section of the airport. You can phone out from a booth and then pay your charges.
I phone the office, nobody answers, I can't even get the answering machine, so I phone Kim in Vancouver, I want someone to know where I am and what I am trying to do and dear Kim not only leaves a message for me at the office but manages to translate enough to get through to me late in my hotel room. I don't want to call mom and dad until I can give them a concrete flight and arrival so that will have to wait until tomorrow. Not enough exercise for the day, but enough excitement I head back to my room to enjoy my choice munchies and read my book until I fall asleep.
Xmas Day!!! Felis Navidad!!! I awake early, shower, organize for what I need now and what I will need in Seattle, handy and leave it all behind to go check out the Continental Office once again. Yes, it is open and it is full of people happily babbling away in Spanish??? A woman turns and asks if she can help me, and I understand her, she is speaking my language, I guess I must be a little culture shocked by now, no one around me for over 24 hours speaks much English. Yes, she can book me a ticket to the US, what is my final destination, I told her anywhere that is not Chicago, DC.... She calmly and politely asks again for my final destination. I tell her Seattle Washington State (they all think that Washington is DC, so you have to make sure) She tries several times to get through to booking agency's with no luck, my heart is fluttering a bit. I wonder what is open in Quito during the holidays I hear the Old City is a great place to check out, and the Municipal Market, provided you hang onto your belongings tightly or better still don't have any belongings, and how to explain to the taxi driver. At least they do understand aeropuerto well so I can always get back, right. I am thinking these thoughts because I am now thinking I may be stranded until the New Year here. She says I'm sorry they are all closed, so I ask if I can book a ticket through the airlines and she says oh yes of course but expensive. I already know that and agree so she checks the schedule and books me on the red eye flight that night to Houston and on toSeattle. So 9pm I check in, my master card works and takes care of the ticket, my papers are in order and 2 and a half hours later I am on a midsize crowded jet to Guiyauquil then on to Houston ( I must have gotten the last seat on that one) A four or was it five hour layover in Houston (another time change?!?!?) but I find my way around alright, grab a very large slushy with fresh
fruit and a muffin and hunker down next to a window where I can read and sleep until my flight is called ( a real carpeted, peopled airport). No sleep, lots of people watching, and guess what, they speak english. It actually takes me awhile to register that I can understand what people are saying and that the movie I watched on the airplane was in English!!! Another plane, another horrible plane meal and I am in Seattle, see, no problems!!!
3 hour wait for my shuttle to the 6 seater cessna to Friday Harbor and taxi waiting to drive me to my door and I am home, once again in my pine and madronna forest. Shivering in the damp rain and slight breeze but ready to curl up in my unmade bed and sleep for a week.
So that is my venture, my epic journey on the Sirenian. I am sure it is all mixed up as I did not keep notes, as sure as I am that there could be more to tell and way differnet perspectives, but that will have to wait. Since my return I have put in 102 hours in 10 days playing catch up on the job. I am almost there. Not bad for 1 month away. And not only that but people actually missed me around town. They thought I had packed up and moved off island. Not yet anyway.
Share your latest adventure with me, your turn!!!
Wendy
Outdoor Odysseys: Kayaking the San Juans! 3-day June 14 -16, 2002 and 1-day August 2004 .
Now before I share these two short ventures with you I would like to tell you about my first kayaking experience in a sit upon kayak in a manmade lake, I had been invited to a new friends house to go kayaking. Actually, it was one of those southern California things, a gated community on a 6 foot deep canal system!?!? Now if that isn't a waste of water....!
My next kayaking venture was in a freezing lake on San Juan Island taking a solo lesson in everything I was supposed to already know about kayaking for the 3 day symposium with the British Canoe Club that coming weekend... (-: But that's another story not yet written.
Trip Guides: Paul with Wendy assisting
Day One: We left San Juan Island with winds picking up but creating some fun rollers to surf paddle for a distance. We put in at British Camp for lunch allowing a leisurely tour of the historic sights and garden, while we waited for tides to settle and weather to make up its mind! We had 3 inexpienced paddlers and 3 experienced and Paul needed to assess for the strait crosssing. During that brief paddle we saw several seals hauled out on various small bumps of rocks, pigeon guillemots, and Canadian geese as well as an occasional cormorant riding low and flying gracefully away skimming the water at our approach.
The Strait crossing was smooth as planned by our great guide Paul! His informative knowledge about the local flora and fauna, marine life, currents and local history made for an educational journey to Reid Harbor on Stuart Island.
As we set up camp and began the dinner preparations an eagle and osprey played tag overhead, while river otters were seen cruising the beach just down from our camp.
Day Two: Dawned early and grey but hopeful with all eager for the hot coffee brewing and the hearty breakfast of orange garnished french toast and maple syrup! We headed our kayaks out, with all seeking their own path around Reid Harbor to the opening where we regrouped and planned our days strategy while drifting lazily about. There were more sightings of eagles and the osprey who seems to have made his/her home near the base camp, as well as river otter and a couple of mink. One river otter sat peering at us from a rocky outcropping as he/she munched on some ocean delicacy.
A short paddle around the corner of Stuart and we found a lovely beach of small colored pebbles where we put in for a short break with some bravely testing the waters (the day having turned hot) and others soaking up the rays while others hiked the beach, all eyes watchful for the orcas who might drop by our way.
Lunch was set at a beach near the lighthouse on Stuart Island where a pair of eagles nested over our heads! A monarch butterfly flitted about flirting with the yellow kayaks and multi colored bright clothing of the paddlers and everyone settled into a sumptious meal. You really need those carbs for the paddling!!
The orcas did choose our route that day for a partial distance around Stuart, but not at our schedule and so they were not seen by our group, rather they came in about an hour after our departure from the first beach, with us never knowing until we had returned to camp late that afternoon.
A quick and early dinner was set and eaten and then the whole party (after a 14 mile circumnavigation of Stuart Is) hiked out to the light house for sunset. A pod of around 30 dahl's porpoise were enjoyed from the sunset location before all returned to a small campfire, for a late desert of chocolate fondue and fruit slices.
Day 3: Started out very promising and after a quick breakfast of fresh coffee and tea, juice, hotcereal, cream and brown sugar, camp was once again loaded into the kayaks and we made good time hitting the water. Regrouping at the opening to Reid Harbor we listened to the radio for awhile to see if and where the days orca sightings might be, but nothing and so continued our crossing to Browne's Island. A brief pitstop on a pebbled beach and a briefing of water and wind conditions by our guide Paul and we were on our way around Browne to visit the cormorant colony on the cliff side. The cormorant colony was very active and vocal with parent birds talking and feeding their young nested in the rocks of the steep cliff wall. Unfortunately we had entered into some serious building winds trying to jam us against the cliffs and I never did get a good picture!
The winds and water conditions worsened and we were forced to head back instead of rounding the Island and putting in at San Juan County Park as planned. Everyone handled their kayaks reasonably well and so we found time to have a leisurely lunch on another of those beautiful pebble strewn beaches. The orcas had been sighted but way across the waters at Orcas Island and not likely to head our way anytime soon, so we packed up the lunch and paddled our way to Roche Harbor along some beautiful island shores. A raccoon sat curiously on one beach side, like some cartoon character greeting us as we paddled by. Eagles, deer, cormorants, and a variety of other NW coast creatures adorned our journey which ended way to soon for me.
This trip the weather started out somewhat daunting and we had 3 green and 3 experienced paddlers. I get to consider myself experienced now having paddled one person in a camp loaded kayak, (my first double kayak) to Stuart Island, and then a triple around the island the next day, mostly unassisted and these women were about 1/2 my age and supposedly fit? At one point crossing white water at tide change I had to holler at them to keep paddling or else, as there is no way I can handle a three person kayak solo with or without dead weight in it especially in a rushing cross tide in narrows!
I could never be a guide, the scarey part is these folks who show up and tell you they know how to paddle and then can't figure out how to get in or out of the kayak and paddle stiffed armed without effect.... but the really scarey part is having to paddle some overweight guy in a double who doesn't understand the fragile balance of a kayak nor the buddy system.
And then there are the Disneyworld tourists who spend most of their day looking at their watches and asking when the whales will arrive???
And besides, orca's are not whales anyway, technically they are dolphins! Try to explain that one.
At any rate, we had only one whiner in the group, who didn't like being splashed, duh, why go out ocean kayaking, and a broken seat back which made for a most uncomfortable trip for another member until we pulled out for lunch and Jodi rigged the seat in position! The orca were in the distance almost all morning, but never close in.
After lunch on a somewhat chilly, windy but sunny beach just below the lighthouse, we headed back out, this time out into the strait to catch the current for the return trip home and low and behold, there were the orca's we had seen in the distance all morning, headed straight for us, we had a large male dive under us from about 20 yards out, you could feel the swell as he passed underneath! And surrounded in front and both sides by others of the pod, totally ignored by all like flotsam and jetsam in their wake.
While I had seen all of the pods fairly regularly and been out volunteering in the Whale Museum, Whale Watch Boat and was greeted by over 60 orca on my maiden voyage to the islands (all three pods had gathered on the West Side of the Island, a rare occurance that happens maybe once a year) and I have watched them feed and frolic from both the water and land, this was the first time eye to eye and what an experience!
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