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Catalina Island/Avalon - My Solo Day Trip, in Photos (LOTS of Photos!)- 7/21/12
I’m not used to posting in this section of the DIS, but I wanted to share some photos from my recent solo day trip to Catalina Island on July 21st – specifically, the main town of Avalon – and this is the place to do it! I guess we could call this a “photo report,” as opposed to a regular trip report.
In our Disneyland and Southern California forums, there are a lot of DIS’ers who travel from other states or countries to visit Disneyland…but who also want to see some other sights around town. On many occasions folks will spend at least a full week – if not 2 full weeks – in Southern California, and would like ideas for day trips outside of the Disneyland Resort. While there are many interesting things to do and see in SoCal (Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, the Original Farmers Market & The Grove, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits, Hollywood Boulevard, the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Queen Mary, San Diego, etc., etc.), I have always thought Catalina Island was a great place to make a day trip. It’s about a one-hour boat ride away (give or take 10 minutes), and you can depart from San Pedro or Long Beach on the Catalina Express, and Marina Del Rey or Newport Beach on the Catalina Flyer. I prefer the Long Beach location for the Express, as it has the most departures and arrivals, especially during the summer, which allows more flexibility and room to do more things. Just some quick background: I’ve been to Catalina/Avalon many times in the past. I fell in love with it back in 1988, after looking at some of my grandmother’s old photos of her Catalina trips in the ‘50s and ‘60s and deciding to round up some of my friends to go there for a day. In fact, Catalina is my ‘other’ favorite place in SoCal aside from Disneyland Resort. I just love it. There’s a certain charm about it that lures me in. But, alas, I had not gone to beautiful Avalon for many years - until this month, when I took advantage of the Free Round Trip birthday boat ride with Catalina Express (which is being offered through at least April 2013, if not beyond that). It is approximately a $72 value, so it’s a great deal. This is the second year in a row that the free birthday boat trip is being offered. I’ve been to Catalina with and without friends before – sometimes I have had one friend with me; sometimes a big group of friends. Sometimes I have gone totally by myself. I’ve stayed for a weekend. I’ve stayed for extended holiday weekends. I’ve stayed for a full 7-night/8-day week. I’ve also done a few one-day trips. I’ve had very busy trips where I was rushing from one tour to another to another, and I’ve had very laid back trips in which I did not do much more than wander around and enjoy the beachy ambiance. As it had been so long since my last Catalina visit, I wanted to have a lot of ‘wander around time’ to check out all the things that had changed or stayed the same. I also wanted to do one of my favorite things – rent a golf cart, go up in the hills and visit the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. I succeeded in both wandering around and renting the golf cart, but I didn't have nearly as much time as I would have preferred. I am a bit of a picture-taking fanatic too. I take pictures of anything and everything. So I do hope you will join me on this photographic report of my one-day solo trip on Saturday, July 21, 2012. I have a lot of photos to share! I normally do a much more detailed, vaguely humorous written report to go along with all the photos, but I am currently working on my holiday 2011 Disneyland TR over in the Disneyland TR section (7 months late!), and that’s where all of my detailed written efforts are going for the time being! Right now I just want to share some photos of Catalina to show people out there who may be interested in visiting and would like to see more of what Avalon looks like. …Arriving at the Catalina Express terminal at the Downtown Landing in Long Beach, just after 5:00 A.M. (my boat was set to depart for Avalon at 6:15 A.M.), I attempt to wake up!! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...IMG_5155-1.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5157.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...IMG_5160-1.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5161.jpg Inside the terminal, a bison – one of Catalina Island’s famous furry residents – greets you… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5163.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5164.jpg A map of the Island (reflections from lights in the terminal made it impossible to get photos of this map with or without a flash!)… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5165.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5167.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5168.jpg I took my spot in the line building outside and waited to board my Catalina Express boat… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5170.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5171.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5172.jpg Thankfully, this Aquabus was not my boat! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5173.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5176.jpg The sun was starting to rise… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5177.jpg And it’s time to board! I found a seat on one of the upper outside decks, by the railing, as I planned to scout for dolphins and other sea life. Dolphin sightings are an almost daily occurrence on the Catalina Express boats, and at times there may be so many of them leaping out of the water that the captain of the boat will actually slow down or stop to let the passengers take photos. On some of the Express boats, the backs of the chairs are facing the ocean – so you essentially miss out on the action, if there is anything to see, or you have to turn your body all the way around to be able to see what’s going on. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5179.jpg On other Express boats the chairs are positioned a little differently, where the sides are adjacent to the railing of the boat, making it a little easier to look out at the ocean. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5178.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5181.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5182.jpg And we are setting sail! Here are some views of Long Beach as we pass through the harbor… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5183.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5184.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5185.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5186.jpg As you can see, the water is very still and placid in this part of the harbor. It changes a bit when you get out on the open water. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5187.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5188.jpg |
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http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5215.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5216.jpg And here it is! The Casino! This is the iconic building (not an actual gambling casino) that people identify with Catalina. This is the sight that those of us who love Catalina can’t wait to see from the boat as we pull into the Avalon harbor… There was a cute young couple on the boat – I am thinking that they were Japanese tourists – and when the guy pointed out the Casino to his lady, she literally squealed with delight and pointed at it with glee! I think all of us were a little taken aback by the piercing squeal so early in the morning (it was shortly after 7:00 A.M. when we approached Avalon), and especially over a sight that many of us have probably taken for granted when we visit the Island, but it truly is a lovely sight – for an international tourist or for someone who has not been there in years (yours truly)! I was squealing in silence, though… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5217.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5218.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5219.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5220.jpg There are many, many views around Avalon – both from the Island and from the water – that are postcard-worthy. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5221.jpg This Casino represents so many wonderful trips to Catalina in the past for me… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5222.jpg Hamilton Cove is just a few minutes away from the main hub of activity in Avalon by golf cart or shuttle… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5223.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5224.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5225.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5226.jpg The town of Avalon has a Mediterranean feel to it, from the amazing tile art that you find all over the city to the way the houses and apartments are stacked on the hillsides. It’s very evocative of Spain, Italy or Greece. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5227.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5228.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5229.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5230.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5231.jpg One picture-perfect view after another… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5232.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5233.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5234.jpg I’m still on the Catalina Express at this point! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5235.jpg This is what I was sitting next to on the boat the whole ride over – hey, I’m no fool! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5237.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5238.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5239.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5240.jpg |
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Time to disembark…yay!! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5241.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5242.jpg Down the ramp… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5243.jpg And up another ramp… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5244.jpg I’m finally off the boat and on the Island! Woo hoo! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5245.jpg “Mine! Mine!” There are many of these feathered friends all over Avalon – some of them are huge. They seem to be quite used to people as they get very close. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5246.jpg Time to get a locker. You can rent one from the baggage service/storage place near the boat dock. It’s $5.00 for all-day service, with a $10 deposit that you get back if you return the key by 8 p.m., and you can go into the locker as many times as you want all day long for that flat fee, which is great if you pick up souvenirs throughout the day and need a place to store them safely. There are also lockers you can rent for something like 75 cents each time you open it – those are good if you don’t plan to buy anything and just need a place to store your jacket until evening. Otherwise, I can imagine that it could add up if you have to open the locker many times. I think the all-day locker for $5.00 is a good deal – knowing myself and how many times I need to dump things out of my bags – so that’s what I got. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5247.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5248.jpg And thank you for having me! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5249.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5250.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5252.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5253.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5254.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5255.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5257.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5258.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5259.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5260.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5261.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5262.jpg And there’s another feathered friend! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5263.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5264.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5265.jpg The pathway into town… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5266.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5267.jpg |
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http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5269.jpg The water is murky in this spot, but you can see some of the Island’s bright orange Garibaldi fish swimming around… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5270.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5271.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5272.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5273.jpg Some beautiful flowers, which appear to be thriving in the sea air and sunny weather… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5274.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5275.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5277.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5278.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5279.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5280.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5281.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5282.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5283.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5284.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5285.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5286.jpg Notice that this sign is pointing to “businesses across the street”… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5287.jpg And this is what the sign is pointing at! Lol. It’s a hole in the rock – and that hole was not there the last time I was in Avalon! I’m not sure how or why it’s there. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5289.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5291.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5292.jpg And there is a path leading up to the hole in the rock…I didn’t go up to check it out – I was afraid of what might be in there and I wanted to keep moving at that moment. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5293.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5294.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5290.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5295.jpg |
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http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5296.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5297.jpg This is where I will be renting my golf cart from later on in the day…They charge $40 an hour, but you get 3 hours for the price of 2 hours if you rent before 1 p.m. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5298.jpg That building at the top of the hill is called the Holly Hill House – another historical Catalina spot. The last time I was in Avalon it was still intact, but it appears to be undergoing quite a bit of construction… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5299.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5300.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5301.jpg Number 22 is going to be my cart, as you will see a bit later… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5302.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5304.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5305.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5308.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5307.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5309.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5310.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5312.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5313.jpg What’s interesting is that I think this is the same exact sea lion that used to sit out on the actual rocks, overlooking the water and greeting boats as they docked. Apparently someone decided to carve it and part of the rock it sat on and place it in town. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5314.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5315.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5316.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5317.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5319.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5320.jpg The postage stamp-sized beach! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5321.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5322.jpg This sand is imported. Avalon’s natural beaches are rock beaches, so they have to have the sand imported from other beach cities such as Redondo Beach and others… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5323.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5324.jpg |
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http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5326.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5327.jpg The main street in town – Crescent Avenue… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5328.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5329.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5330.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5331.jpg The green pier you have been seeing in many pictures is called the Green Pleasure Pier… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5332.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5333.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5334.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5335.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5336.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5337.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5339.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5341.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5342.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5343.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5344.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5345.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5346.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5347.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5348.jpg Luau Larry’s is very popular in Avalon… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5349.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5350.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5351.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5353.jpg I will have many more photos to come, probably tomorrow, so stay tuned! |
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A reflection in a window… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5354.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5356.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5357.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5359.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5360.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5361.jpg The Marlin Club is one of those hangouts for people on the island where they can shoot pool, throw darts, knock back a few beers and listen to Frank Sinatra music on the jukebox… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5362.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5363.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5364.jpg This is a newer restaurant that was added since my last Catalina visit (prior to this month)… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5365.jpg A view of the Green Pleasure Pier… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5366.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5367.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5368.jpg Dessert Island is one of the places at which you can get a birthday freebie – a free ice cream cone! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5369.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5370.jpg I’d say that 50 cent Seattle’s Best coffee is not a bad deal! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5372.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5373.jpg And they even have large candy/caramel apples! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5375.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5376.jpg This is one of the more clever shirts I saw around town – the fisherman is trying to catch the shark, and the shark is trying to catch the fisherman! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5377.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5378.jpg They sell Kodak “Film” – for those who still use film, apparently… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5379.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5380.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5382.jpg The “Wrigley” mentioned in this plaque is the same Wrigley of chewing gum fame, and also of Wrigley Field. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5383.jpg |
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http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5384.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5385.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5386.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5387.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5388.jpg Okay…message received, loud and clear… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5390.jpg And these are the flowers we are supposed to be staying off of! I’m just wondering – is anyone actually trying to be ON the flowers? http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5391.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5392.jpg Another fun shop… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5393.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5394.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5395.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5396.jpg Here we go again… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5397.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5401.jpg This is another one of the places where you can rent a golf cart… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5402.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5403.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...1/IMG_5404.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5405.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5406.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5407.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5408.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5410.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5411.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5412.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5414.jpg |
Continuing on…
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5415.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5417.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5418.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5419.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5420.jpg The beautiful Metropole Market Place… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5421.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5422.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5423.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5424.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5425.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5426.jpg At Bay of the Seven Moons you can choose a free fortune bracelet or a free mineral stone as a birthday gift (no purchase necessary)… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5427.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5428.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5429.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5430.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5431.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5432.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5433.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5434.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5435.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5437.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5436.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5438.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5439.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5440.jpg |
Continuing on…
There are many spots around town where the scenery is just gorgeous… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5441.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5443.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5444.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5445.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5446.jpg This is the birthday ribbon and the list of free things and discounts that you can get on your birthday… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5447.jpg Okay, another warning sign… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5448.jpg And here are the “children at play”… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5449.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...IMG_5450-1.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5451.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5452.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5453.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5454.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5456.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5457.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5458.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5459.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5460.jpg The Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co. offers a free cup of coffee on your birthday! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5461.jpg A memorial to service men and women… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5462.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5465.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5463.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5464.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5466.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5467.jpg |
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5468.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5469.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5470.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5471.jpg Time to rent my golf cart - #22 from Island Rentals! I hadn’t driven a golf cart in 11 or 12 years. I was a little worried I would run it off of a cliff in the hills! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5472.jpg There’s my sweet ride! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5473.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5474.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5476.jpg Leaving my cart in the parking lot, I realize that I didn’t park it completely straight. I had to fix that. I also realized that these carts are different from the ones that were there the last time I rented one. I think that the ones I used to rent were not quite as long, and some of them were totally open and had no covers. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5478.jpg …At the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden (where you can get 2 admissions for the price of one on your birthday, and one admission costs $7.00)… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5477.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5479.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5480.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5481.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5482.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5483.jpg This is a hill! You may not be able to tell that from this photo. It’s not a steep hill, but it is a steady, gradual incline. I think it catches some people off guard, as they assume it is a fairly tame hill but by the time they reach the end of it and then have to climb up endless steps to get to the Memorial, they are a bit tired. Be sure to wear some good walking shoes if you plan to visit Wrigley! http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5484.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5485.jpg Now I will confess that I did not take a photo of every single plant in the Botanical Garden. There are very few flowers in the Garden – if there had been more flowers, I would have taken more photos. Plants – especially cactus – tend to start looking alike after a while, and it gets redundant. I took some random photos of some of the names of the plants or plants that were especially unusual looking, but not all of them. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5486.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5487.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5488.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5489.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5490.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5491.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5492.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5493.jpg |
Continuing on…
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5494.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5495.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5501.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5502.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5503.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5504.jpg Finally, at the top of the walking trail (hill)… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5505.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5506.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5507.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5508.jpg Trust me when I tell you that this is only a small portion of the many, many steps that take you up to the Memorial. Trust me again when I tell you that no one climbing these steps (in the heat) was happy about it (except for maybe the people who live on the Island and use this as a daily workout). The rest of us were cursing them. http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5509.jpg Getting closer… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5510.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5511.jpg Lord help me… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5512.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5513.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5514.jpg I’m not even all the way at the top yet… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5515.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5516.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5517.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5518.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5519.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5520.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5521.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5522.jpg I love this door… http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5523.jpg |
Continuing on…
http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5525.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5524.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5526.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5527.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5528.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5529.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5530.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5531.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5532.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5533.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5534.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5535.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5536.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5537.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5538.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5539.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5540.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5541.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5542.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5543.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5544.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5545.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5546.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5547.jpg http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...2/IMG_5548.jpg More from the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden and Catalina Island a little later…there's lots more to show you! That is, if anyone is even out there following along. (I feel as if I am in the middle of nowhere over in this forum, just talking to myself!) |
I'm here!!
A few questions for you. Is that a submarine I saw in the boat harbor? Do people actually live on the island? I see tourism is their industry, and it makes total sense. |
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