Journey to Jade Cove
This weekend I decided it was time to do a little exploring in my own backyard. I was headed for Jade Cove, a trail in Big Sur, California. Located two miles south of Sand Dollar Beach (one of the most visited beaches in Big Sur) Jade is a steep path with a beautiful view.
This area is known as a very productive place to dive for Jade rocks, but as usual my interests were in the marine life. I couldn’t wait to get out into the Pacific, and feel the awe-inspiring sensation of being such a small part of a diverse and connected planet.
My day started at 4:30 AM. I packed my gear into the car, double and triple checking that I had everything I needed. I was in for a four-hour drive one way, so if I forgot anything, I wouldn’t have the time to make the trip back to grab it. I headed out around 5:30 and drove for a good 2 hours straight. The scenery of cascading coastal rocks and pristine, dark sands was so remarkable that I had to take a quick stop along the way and check it out. The weather was gorgeous that day, and it was refreshing to look out across the coast while I stretched my legs out and got some fresh air.
Back on the road for another two hours, and then I had arrived. Well…almost arrived. I still had to trek across one beach, work my way through an array of boulders, and then across yet another beach. I was carrying all of my equipment, which can be quite heavy, but I figured this was better than the alternative of making two trips. Finally, I arrived at my destination; a quiet, secluded little beach with a huge expansion of ocean in front of me.
It was probably time for me to take a break, but I didn’t take any time to rest on the shore. I had come out here to dive, and I didn’t want to waste another minute doing anything but. I paddled out to a clear spot, and dove in.
The variety of sea life was incredible here. I was swimming amongst vibrant red Snapper, bright orange Vermillion Rockfish, and playful Harbor Seals. Just as I was hoping, I even got to observe a few whales.
In my opinion, one of the most beautiful sounds in the world is that of whale calls from underwater. I enjoyed listening to their low, deep murmurs while I explored. When I rested at the surface in between dives, I watched their tales cut in and out of the waves. Whales are amazing to swim around, because despite their overwhelming size, they swim with grace and poise.
I also came in contact with a lot of Monkfish, also known in Europe as devilfish. These fish have wide, flat bodies, almost like a stingray’s. They stay near the bottom of ocean floor, hidden in seabed. They blend in so well that smaller fish (and even I) seldom see them coming. Monkfish are often called the poor man’s lobster because they feed on the same types of prey, and have a similar taste and texture. In my opinion they can even be better than lobster.
Altogether, this trip took about 18 hours, so needless to say I was exhausted by the time I paddled back up to the shore. I needed a break before I could take on the hour-long hike back to my car. I lay down in a cool puddle of ocean water and reminisced about my day. I had seen gorgeous views, conquered rough terrains, and cohabitated with extraordinary wildlife. What an astonishing, eye-opening day of exploring my own home state of California. It just goes to show that you don’t always have to travel across the world to discover new realms. Sometimes the best adventures can be right outside your door.
