With the kids in PHX for the week Darcy and hopped the Catalina Express ferry in Long beach for a 36 hour island getaway / 9 year wedding anniversary trip.
The Long beach skyline fading away.
Santa Catalina rising out of the Pacific.
Really the only thing on the island is a tiny little town, called Avalon, with some good restaurants, touristy little shops, beaches and hiking (and buffalo left behind from a movie production in the 20's).
Thursday night we had a great sunset!
The next day we hiked out to the Wriggly Botanical Gardens and then straight up to a summit where you can see the Pacific on both sides. Turns out the Wriggly family (yes, the gum magnate from Chicago) had a long history on the island and even brought the Cubbies out for spring training during the ~20s / 30s / 40s.
Toward the back of the garden is the William Wrigley Memorial.
At the top there is a nice perch that D found with a view looking east back toward Avalon.
William Wrigley was interned here for some amount of time before being moved, presumably back to Chicago.
From there we did a STEEP hike up to the summit. We literally went from sea level up to 1,800 to 2,000 feet, I reckon.
Looking west, very steep down to the ocean on the back side of the island.
Looking east back towards the city, if you look close you can see some boats coming into port.
We lingered for a bit enjoying the silence at the summit, then the clouds moved in and we decided to head back. If younger, we probably would have kept going.
The afternoon was all lounging in the courtyard / garden at our hotel, the Pavilion, walking around the harbor, and relaxing at the Descanso beach club.
Heres to 9 exciting years - next year is 10!! Where should we go.......
Loved this post about Catalina Island. Glad you were able to get away a little.
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