The second day of the trip was the only full day we spent kayaking. Most of our morning was spent paddling out around Cattle Point. We ended up turning around and eating lunch at the beach near Third Lagoon. While there, a few members decided to collect a bit of bull kelp and cut it in a way to make horns, that were fun to make, hard to play, and nasty to use. From there the group split up and half of us went on a hike while the rest went back to the campsite. A few of the hikers were brave enough to take the long walk to Cattle Point lighthouse barefoot after being inspired by our kayak guide Max. By the time the hikers returned to the campground and those who had stayed behind had finished their game of Uno, it was time for campfire chili. We ate around a campfire and some played a few rounds of BS while others experimented with putting s’mores on brownies. Once the fire had been put out and the sky had turned dark, Max and most of the campers headed out to watch the bioluminescence. Max explained the science of the chemicals luciferin and luciferase and the impact of the bioluminescent protists on the ecosystem. We were fascinated by the glow of the plankton and zooplankton. Sadly, their glow was not bright enough to be caught on camera. Eventually, we decided to head back and some returned to sitting around the campfire to make s’mores or to dry off. After that, everyone went back to their tents to go to sleep.

First two pictures by: Max (Kayak guide)

Last two pictures by: Alex Karanov