Catalina Island

[BarbaraRose]

I finally uploaded my photos to my blog! It might be kind of slow since there are quite a few photos on there, altho they come up pretty quick for me.

It was a great trip with great weather (altho a bit cool, but still around 60ish). Hope you enjoy the photos!

[Liz]

Great pictures, Barbie. Glad you had a good time.

[Colliemom]

Beautiful pictures Barbee. Your trip reminded me of the one I took to Beaver Island here in Michigan a couple of years ago. It too is way out in Lake Michigan and only accessible by boat or plane. The island is a lot like the one your visited only no palm trees of course and flatter. But the little town of St. james is small and quiet. Took a tour around that island too and it's all dirt roads there. Was very interesting. Most of the locals in the town use scooters to get around and cars on the rest of the island although there aren't that many.

[AlmostThere]

A fun birthday present to yourself, and some freebie presents, too!
Very nice pics and dialog.

[kdmac]

That was great! I have always been interested in Catalina Island and your tour was better than any website images that only show the regular things such as the casino and the harbor..It was great to see the streets, buildings and your little "cottage" was so cute; from the thirties or forties style. I didn't know their airport was built that way, so clever. Were the Wrigley's (one time owners of the island) the chewing gum Wrigleys? They likely had money enough to own it and a grand yacht to get themselves there and back. Seeing the water and the beach made me homesick for my Puget Sound and the ocean. Here in the desert water is a non-entity...I had to drive to the Colorado River just to see it and hear it lap up on the shore...miss my water!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I spent last winter on the Oregon coast and was on a cliff above the water and down below was a porpoise (up north they are porpoises but ever so similar to dolphins, just smaller by a little) as it darted around feeding on something in the surf. I knew they didn't travel alone and wondered what the deal was, then of course, I looked further out and there they were, dozens of them feeding on whatever bait fish that were out there...apparently so many that some made it in closer...always a thrill to see them. Thanks again, great photos as usual.

[cpatinjones]

A wonderful way to spend your birthday! Great pics!

[Redetotry]

Thanks for the great photos Barbie I enjoyed seeing the Island houses. There is a couple of streets in LaJolla that are tiny and have the ginger bread style. I doubt there is anything under a million in that area though. Sounds like you had a very good trip to celebrate your birthday.

[BarbaraRose]

Here is a little bit of info about Catalina...

"...By the late 1800’s very few inhabited the island. Through the years it was again bought and sold and attempts to fashion it into a resort were met by difficulties and disaster. Chewing gum tycoon William Wrigley Jr. bought shares in the island and worked hard to develop it and promote tourism. For a time, there were only two steamships that provided travel between Catalina Island and the Mainland. Wrigley purchased another steamship and ambitiously oversaw the design of another one.

During the World War II tourism slowed and the island was used for military training. Eventually Philip Wrigley gave the Wrigley shares to the Catalina Island Conservatory (which he helped create) and to this day, the organization oversees 88% of land management. Their mission is to keep the land nature-friendly and free of industrial development as much as possible.

To this day, you can still see many animals roaming the island, including the Island fox, the shrew, the ground squirrel, and many bison. This is the result of a wonderful campaign by the Wrigley family to keep the island looking like early California!"

For more info check this link...

http://www.santacatalinaisland.com/

[BarbaraRose]

Here is a listing for a cottage in Avalon... The lot size is 958 sq ft and the cottage is 837 sq ft (no lawn to mow!), for only a half a million dollars! What a steal!

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhom ... 8179-35764

[Travelinana]

It's like going to the movies, seeing your pictures from one of your excursions...really enjoyed!

[OutandAbout]

Thanks for sharing your B-day with us. The pics were great. Linda

[pattyk]

Brought back lots of memories. When I was a kid we flew in to that airport from Burbank. Spent the day, then when it was time to go home, the airport was closed due to fog. The steamship had already left so we were stuck going back into Long Beach with all the drunks on a little boat. When we got to Long Beach we had to get a taxi to take us back to Burbank. He had to drive most of the way with his door open so that he could see the road. Quite a trip. But we did have a nice day on the island. I have been back a couple of times since.

So glad you had a nice time.

[snowball]

thanks for sharing the day with us..sounds like it was a lot of fun
loved the pictures and what a treat to see the dolphins bet it was really special
sheila

[Carolinagal]

I almost feel like I've been there. What nice pictures you take. It really looks to be a touristy place, so this will probably be the closest I will ever get . I really enjoyed your day with you and so glad you had so many Happy Birthday things to do as gifts.

The bird pictures were excellent, I enjoy your blog, thanks for posting for all for us, Barbie.

You make wonderful adventures out of what might be just an ordinary day for some. I love it !!!

Glad you had a Happy Birthday,
CArol

[Nasoosie]

"26 miles across the sea----Santa Catalina is a-waitin' for me-----Santa Catalina, the island of romance, romance, romance, romance!" That was the first song I learned on my guitar a thousand years ago, it seems!

What a great job you did on recording this memorable birthday trip, Barbie! I have always wondered what that island was like, and now, thanks to you, I know!

Everything out there seems to be in miniature, beautifully cared for, and fascinating. The terain is much more rugged than I had imagined. Thanks so much for sharing this neat trip.