Anacapa Island is part of the Channel Island chain off the coast of Southern California. On a fairly clear day you can see the Channel Islands from the coast. They are not far yet are a world away from the mainland in their environment. I have heard their names, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa , but have never visited them. Anacapa’s name comes from a Chumash Native American Indian name for the island, Anypakh.  The Chumash lived on these islands in olden times. Reading a bit about these islands from the National Park Service website, I would like to see about planning a trip there one day. There are animals and plants located on these islands that can’t be found anywhere else. Anacapa is home for seabirds, like the California Brown Pelican and Western Gull, sea lions and harbor seals. There is interesting history to be learned about the human inhabitants as well. Like Frenchy LeDreau who lived on Anacapa from the 1920s to the mid 1950s alone in a cabin with his cats. He lived off fishing and sold lobsters to get supplies and liquor. Frenchy’s Cove is named after him. The lighthouse on this island was a welcome beacon for ships navigating the Santa Barbara Channel. Reading about Anacapa makes me think about what a wonderful gift our National Parks are to all of us.

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday is hosted by Linda G Hill. Images in slideshow provided by NPS website and/or Wikimedia.