Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Santa Catalina (Catalina Island)

We are making the run north some 90 miles from San Diego to Catalina. We stop overnight at the anchorage at Dana Point. Impressive ship in the harbor. We are 33 miles from Catalina and its only town of Avalon.

This is Avalon. As you can guess, a tourist destination.

We take a look from the other side of Avalon Harbor - Jungle is in there somewhere. On the top right is the Wrigley mansion where we are heading up there for brunch tomorrow. It is now a boutique hotel and open to public for brunch on one or two days per week.

All kinds of boats in Avalon Harbor. This is a 50' twin hulled rocket ship. It takes Jungle 5-6 hours to cross from Dana Point to Catalina. It takes this boat 20-30 minutes. So.

A view of the harbor from the Wrigley mansion. William Wrigley Jr. (Gum guy) bought the island in 1919. They did most of the serious development in Avalon. His family formed the Santa Catalina Conservatory and donated 90% of the island. Nice folks.

A closer view of the harbor and the Casino, which was built in 1930 by the Wrigleys. Hollywood stars used to hang out here. Now it's pretty much a movie house and used for special events.

Here is Jenée sitting with our friends Roli and Kathy Sannmann overlooking the harbor. Once, twice a week, the Wrigley Mansion opens for brunch. Good timing for us.

Here is the complete gang. I'm glad the flash wasn't working - we looked scary. The mansion is more a cozy house. Very nice.

This is how you look after a three-hour brunch with unlimited wine and champagne.

Here we are waking off breakfast around Avalon. Pretty near a straight line.

Now we walk to the William Wrigley Jr. Monument. You give away a 22 mile by 8 mile island you get a monument.

Looking back towards Avalon Harbor. Silhouettes again.

That's better.

Good morning M'lady and how are you on this fine day?

Oh, I beg your pardon, Sister Mary Katherine.

Pretty nice hike up from the harbor.

A stroll through the local botanical gardens. Not pictured was a pretty good sized baseball field. I found out later the Chicago Cubs trained there from 1921 to 1951. The Cubbies were also owned by the Wrigley family.

Now we are back on Avalon beach - plenty of beach goers.

Gas is a little steep on Catalina.

Scenic walk back to town.

Coming around the point into the harbor.

A look back east.

Now we see the harbor from ground level.

And a better look at the Casino.

You see the city of Avalon (population 4000) behind the harbor.

We decided to leave Avalon Harbor and head further west to Whites Landing. The San Diego Yacht Club (hiya Dennis Connors) leases a piece of property for their members use. Quite nice. Our friends, Kathy and Roli happen to be members. That's why we brung 'em.

And who sails in to meet us, but our friends Ron and Linda on their sloop Ditto.

There's the cute couple now.

It's nighttime and fun time. We all meet aboard Jungle under our cool lamp made in a Turkey out of a gourd. We went to Turkey to buy it - we rule!

You looklikeasumbudyiknow! Why yes I do.

There is the happily lit gang now. We did have a great time.

A new day and the ships move on. Ditto to Two Harbors on Catalina, Jungle sails for home to San Diego.

My lovely bride is busy at work on board Jungle.

Back at the Cortez Marina. Here's something you don't see every day - paddle board yoga. "C'mon girls, downward dog. Only in California.

Next up a trip to Bean Town. Cheers.

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