Beautiful Fry's Harbor taken from above the cove on the north side (front side) of Santa Cruz island - a C350 is astern of us in the anchorage. Evening downslope winds are the reason we are anchored bow-to-shore in this cove, typical of many coves on this island. This cove was the quarry of the rocks used for Santa Barbara harbor's breakwater in the 1925+/-.

Some history of this now-National Park:

The history of European man on Santa Cruz Island began on October 13, 1542 with the arrival of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo. Journal of his expedition indicate that although Santa Cruz Island was sighted, no one is known to have landed upon the island. During the next two and a half centuries, at least four separate expeditions visited Santa Cruz Island.

The 1769 expedition led by Gaspar de Portola for the King of Spain was the first to claim ownership of the island. The expedition was divided into two parts: the land expedition led by Portola and Fray Junipero Serra, and the sea going exploration led by Juan Perez. On board ship with Juan Perez was a Franciscan priest. At a place now called Prisoner's Cove the priest is said to have gone ashore and to have forgotten his walking staff which was topped with an iron cross. The staff, given up for lost, was returned the next day to the priest by some Indians. From this incident the island is said to have been named, Isla de Santa Cruz--Island of the Holy Cross.