Our first stop today was the Piedras Blancas Elephant seal rookery on the beach in San Simeon, just north of Hearst Castle. The northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris, is an extraordinary marine mammal. It spends eight to ten months a year in the open ocean, diving 1000 to 5800 feet deep for periods of fifteen minutes to two hours, and migrating thousands of miles, twice a year, to its land-based rookery for birthing, breeding, molting, and rest. There were 100s of seals on the beach, most just sleeping, with the pubs nursing, males chasing off challengers and mating with the females, who give birth to a pup, then wean them so they can get impregnated again right away. once near extinction, the elephant seals have made a strong comeback.
Our destination for the night was the Earthfirst gathering in Santa Barbara. But, on the way, we stopped at Moro Bay for a delicious fresh fish lunch. We arrived in Santa Barabara close to sunset and barely made it up the mountain before darkness fell. Easily a 40 min. drive up a narrow, windy road, to nearly at the top. I couldn’t drive back in the dark and ended up sleeping the night in my car. Yep, I actually slept in the car — wearing long underwear, sweats, my winter jacket, hat and gloves, inside a sleeping bag, covered with a blanket. During the night it went down to 32°. I have no idea where Ben slept, but I think there were others in a cabin somewhere, maybe the house, maybe tents. Needless to say, I had a restless night. I was sad to say goodbye to Ben. I am so grateful for the time we could spend together.
What I learned today: 1. a lot about elephant seals; and 2. I can sleep (kind of) in my car in I need to.
