California: dolphins, bears and giant trees

Capt. Dave's Dolphins 4

Capt.Dave's Grey Whale 1 klein

Capt.Dave's Grey Whale 2

Capt. Dave's Albatros

Capt. Dave's Seals

Capt. Dave's Dolphins 7

Capt. Dave's Dolphins 2

Capt.Dave's Dolphins 1

Capt. Dave's Dolphins

Capt. Dave's Dolphins 3

Capt. Dave's Dolphins 5

Sequoia 2 klein

Sequoia 7 klein

Sequoia 5

Sequoia 8 klein

Sequoia 3

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Sequoia 9 klein

Sequoia Bears 3

Sequoia Bears 2 klein

Sequoia Bears 1

Death Valley 2 klein

Death Valley 1 klein

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Death Valley Badwater 2 klein

Death Valley Artist Palette klein

Death Valley 4

It's always good to be back in California!

After we had a 'no sightings' whale watch trip in Dana Point last October, we had the perfect excuse to go back to the West Coast to try again. Last time the animals of the sea were not so interested in showing themselves to us, that's (wild) life and part of these things. But Captain Dave's Dolphin Safari was kind enough to offer us a new ticket. Besides the fact that they guarantee sightings or give you another chance, they are also highly recommended because of their knowledge. They use an eco-friendly catamaran, know what they are doing and what you are seeing, and most importantly keep a good distance from the animals. Because spring is traditionally 'whale watch season', we decided to give it another try.

And we were so lucky this time! 'Timing is everything ladies and gentlemen', we were told just after leaving the harbor. The captain had spotted a gray (yes, not grey) whale with calf. These whales migrate between their winter home in Baja California to their summer home in Alaska, a 12,000 miles round-trip. We followed them for a bit and at one point they came up for air right next to our boat. Such a beautiful thing to see! And animals that big really make you humble. We left her and the baby alone so they could look for food and headed in the direction of a giant pod of dolphins. 200 short-beaked common dolphins suddenly came up to the boat and started bow-riding our waves. Amazing to be surrounded by hundreds of dolphins, I wish I could see that every day...The catamaran also had underwater viewing pods and these gave us a really unique view of the dolphins surrounding us. You could even hear them interact with each other, like you were swimming among them.

Let me just say this: the more I see whales and dolphins in the wild, the more I hate places like Seaworld and the dolphinaria around the world. These animals are too intelligent and too gentle to be locked up in a concrete box for our entertainment. We can all help to Empty the tanks!

And the whales and dolphins (did you know: all dolphins are whales but not all whales are dolphins...) were not the only wildlife we spotted on this California trip. Our next destination was Sequoia National park and we got out of the car to take a quick walk around the beautiful Giant Tree forest. I didn't notice a single tree (imagine that), because I was slightly distracted by the mother black bear with her two cubs, eating in the middle of the meadow close to the parking lot. Since it was so close to the car and we were walking on a sort of boardwalk it was easy to forget that these were actually wild animals and that if you look at her cubs wrong the mom could go all 'The Revenant' on you. It was in the back of my mind, though, when I was standing less than 50 feet from her. If two older people hadn't been walking on the same path as well I wouldn't have gone so close. But at least I could outrun them...

Besides the bears, I was also really impressed by the giant Sequoia trees. These trees can be over 3000 years old and are enormous. They only remain on this small spot of the high Sierra in California, almost gotten extinct because of the glaciers millennia ago. If you think that trees are unable to impress you, think again. Because these giants of the forest definitely will. Go early to take it all in on a walk to the General Sherman tree, the biggest in mass of them all, before the busses arrive and the magic is gone.

The next bucket list park on our trip was Death Valley. Well, what can I say, it is as boring as the name suggests. Why on earth are we all so attracted to a huge valley that is literally dead? And extremely hot, even for people from Arizona. If you are interested, start from Vegas and visit the East side of the park. There is nothing but a long, windy, drive waiting for you in the West. The East side as the infamous Badwater point, the lowest in the US, and the colorful Artist drive. But really, that is about it.

Luckily for us, entertainment is just 'around the corner': Las Vegas always awaits the overheated traveler. Arctic cold casinos welcome you to try and win another whale watch ticket, and seduce you with restaurants and cirque du soleil shows. Even after visiting Vegas for 6 times in two years, it really never gets boring. Although I never won that money...