California really is a great state once you get past the bad government, some wacky people, and other stuff we shouldn't have to deal with but we do. Otherwise, the state has a lot to offer. There's so much I haven't seen yet though I have seen a lot of things I've missed in movies or TV shows. Catalina is one example. It's an island about 26 miles or so off the coast near Los Angeles. On a good day you can see it from various places like the Getty Museum.
I'll be going there soon for an overnight visit. I'm not sure about the boat trip but I've enjoyed things like the ferry from Maryland (or wherever it is) to Cape May NJ. That was a pretty big boat and I felt very secure. The ferry to Catalina doesn't carry vehicles so I'm sure it's smaller. I'm not that fond of being on the water. I'd make a lousy sailor.
And count me out of any plans for a cruise. I'm quite content at home thank you.
I've never been to Catalina but maybe some day. I agree Calif is a beautiful state. We've driven the whole coast (minus the end below San Diego) from San Diego up, through Northern Calif., along the Oregon coast, and all the way to Tacoma WA (my daughter lived there for a few years). I loved these trips! Michael Connelly has a newish novel out set on Catalina. Nightshade, and it was good. I think there are more planned with this character. Have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place!
ReplyDeleteContent at home... that's me too! Dropping by to say hello!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t been to Catalina but I have been to California in 1978 and also ten years ago. Stayed in San Francisco and drove down to Carmel. Also stayed in Los Angeles and went to Disneyland with a friend’s and her 3 year old. Last time stayed in Santa Monica and voted the Getty Center with friends from Manhattan Beach. I would love to visit again as there is so much to see in USA but health, age, travel insurance and long flights might be the end of that dream.
ReplyDeleteBOIDMAN ~
ReplyDeleteOn April Fool's Day (don't take it personally), I sent you an Email saying this:
Hey, LEE!
Is everything OK with thee?
I don't see a post from you on A2Z.
And also no BOTB.
LEE, how are ye?
You never r-E-plied to my E, but you have posted a few blog bits since then, therefore... I'm assuming you're well, and you simply didn't receive my E because... it would have been rude of you to ignore it and not r-E-ply, and I know you're not a rude person.
I've been to Catalina twice. Cool & unique place. The first time was with my friend, Danny. It was a camping trip and very laid back. The second time it was Nappy (my brother), Danny, and Moody (me), circa 1982. At that point, 'The League' was "a thing", so this trip was as wild as my former trip had been sedate.
I wrote about it in my manuscript, 'The League Of Soul Crusaders'. It was Chapter 16 and titled "Twenty-Six Miles Across The Sea".
To save time, below I will quote ONLY the words that I have yellow-highlighted in my handiest copy of the manuscript. Nevertheless, just these highlighted words (from pages 111 through 120) will give you a full picture of that 3-day weekend on Catalina's town of Avalon:
Santa Catalina Island
We all had a couple of beers while on the freeway and the next thing we knew, we were lost.
omen from God
a fifth of rum
Avalon
about thirty yards from the boat
"It's too late... I'm leaving... Moody?... Where's the dock?"
three-thirty in the morning
"You didn't finish your coffee".
liquid courage
"Do you know where my friends can take a dump?"
a shrine or monument
high on a mountain top
we reached the shrine
awoke on the mountain top, overlooking Avalon
Avalon
"...you look like I feel".
can of Miller beer
lying under palm trees on the knoll
daiquiris
"...haven't seen you guys without a drink in your hands for three days".
we were no longer on speaking terms
grunted goodbyes
Lee, didja get the picture?!
TTFN and WP&Z!,
~ D-FensDogG
I went to California when I was 11 and we visited San Diego Zoo (which was awesome) and Sea World and Disney Land. Although I do remember that my father wouldn't stand in line for the Escape to Witch Mountain theme park ride (it was the big thing back then and a 2 hour wait) I do remember the Pacific Ocean is way warmer than the Atlantic Ocean!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Barbie
Haven't made it as far as California (yet) from the UK but have been on a cruise. (Norwegian fjords) Best holiday we'd had in years.
ReplyDelete