Off-Roadin' and Goat Herdin'

Instead of spending so much time in the car in route to the eastern shore cave system, I dediced to do some local sightseeing today. Around 2:00 I left Melissa on the beach for a quick trip to some northwestern shore site: the California Lighthouse, Alto Vista Chapel and Santa Anna Church.

I wasn't expecting much from California Lighthouse, but figured I should see it since it was just a few miles from our hotel. The guide books claim such outstanding vistas. Given the locations, this was my first stop. Upon arrival I confirmed that my guess was better than Frommer's - way overrated. But just as I was replacing my lens cap, ready to leave, out of the corner of my eye I saw a horn coming over the ridge.

I walked over and saw a huge herd of goats. There were probably 15 or 20. I had to get some pictures. So I climbed down the side of the hill and started snapping. As I approached, they heard me and would run off, so I followed. Then an eagle soared by, then more goats showed up - next thing I know I was there almost an hour and had about 80 pictures!

I told Melissa I'd be back by 4:00 and without any way to contact her I knew it was a promise I had to keep. To save time, I decided against taking the paved roads (the long way) and opted for the dirt roads to the first church.

Little did I expect the dirt road to be full on off-roading! There wasn't any road. There weren't even tire tracks for me to follow. I was essentially navigating by the sun.

I'm driving over huge dunes. I'm driving across humongous jagged boulders. I'm driving with the car at 45 degree angles on every axis. And there wasn't a single soul in sight.

Signs? Ha! I wish.

The whole time, I'm thinking to myself "I've only got one spare tire. What happens when I pop all my tires without a eay to call for help and am stranded out here alone in the desert?" Every episode of "Survivorman" came rushing back to me as I prepared to spend the night fending off rabid goats and hungry eagles.

After 25 minutes of driving, I hit a fence. I followed it to the north and hit the ocean. Then I followed it to the south and saw nothing but more desert. Considering the time I decided to cut my losses and turn back. But that of course meant driving back over the dunes and boulders at angles daring my Rav4's center of gravity.

Finally I made it back to the lighthouse and paved roads. Amazingly I didn't pop a single tire. Unforuntaly I didn't get to the churches either, but on the plus side I didn't need to capture and cook a wild iguana for dinner. But if you're ever in Aruba and want to see the Alto Vista Chapel, take my advice - take the long way around.