California Thursday - Catalina Island & the 4th of July

You know one of my favorite ways to spend the 4th of July is on Catalina Island. I enjoy it so much, the family pretty much makes it our major vacation of the year. For me, the pleasure is in the fact that it's simple fun. There's a golf cart parade, the USC Marching band, BBQ, and my boys love the sense of adventure that they experience while on the island. So without further ado, here's some pics from this year's vacation.

This is a view from the balcony of the condo we rented.

This is a view from the top of Hamilton Cove looking down at the Casino. (And no, the Casino is not a place to gamble!) It's hard to see here, but the moon is in the photo.

Yes, I finally went Kayaking! Here's a view from my Kayak.

The boys on the 4th of July. Happy Birthday America!

One of the golf carts in the golf cart parade. :)

Brent BBQ'ing next to the Beach.

On the Menu: Steak, baked potato, corn and grilled onion. And Grapes! Can't forget the grapes.

Question: How did you spend your 4th? What's your favorite 4th of July? How about your favorite summer fruit? Love to your thoughts.

Smiles
Steph

Surprisingly, I didn't take a lot of pictures this year at Catalina. The last picture was taken this year, us in our condo that we rented. Perhaps I was too busy, perhaps I forgot more often that naught. I can't say. I'm a little disappointed in myself for not taking more.

Anyway, I shared a couple of pictures that help give you the "flavor" of Catalina. The USC marching band opened up the golf cart parade and played the Casino on the evening of the 4th. I always enjoy seeing the marching band. (It's made me a USC fan!) But there's something about loud band music that's infectious. The next picture is the boardwalk next to the water.

This year the weather was overcast the entire time. We got the last remaining bit of what's called "June Gloom" in Southern California - that last dose of mild weather before the temperatures become scorching hot. It even misted on the 4th of July.

We took the first boat out of San Pedro on Saturday morning and both the boys did well. I watched old videos on my ITunes on my Mac when Joe got bored with cartoons. We took a taxi up to our condo in Hamilton Cove. The condo was nice. Plenty of room for us and MIL & FIL. And it was nice to have our own space.

Andrew's cousins, Sam & Sandy were there with their kids and the kids had a nice time. Joe played with Cody (who is Joe's age) in the grass at Descanso beach and tuckered himself out. He feel asleep at 430 and didn't wake up until the next morning. (It can be that way with a sensory sensitive kid)

On the 4th, my DH tried to fish but it was too misty old. Andrew caught a big big fish. Andrew & I went to mass then caught up with everyone for the parade. Andrew rode in Uncle Mike's golf cart and threw out candy. I stayed with Joe on the side o the road and watched him watch the parade. He stayed in the cart and wasn't too much of a pistol. That evening we BBQ at the beach, the kids played in the sand and we watched the fireworks over the bay from the side of the road. It was Joe's first fireworks. He clapped his hand and said "OHHHHHH." He watched them for about 5 min and then went back to playing his DS!

Monday we took the kids on the glass bottom boat and saw a lot of cool fish. Joe liked it but it was hard for him to sit still. Tues it was back to the mainland. It was a nice getaway and I was so glad Joe wasn't a handful like he was last year. Can't wait for next year....

Smiles
Steph

California Thursday - Catalina Island

The 4th of July is around the corner and that means it's time for the family to go Catalina Island.

I love spending the 4th at Catalina. It's low-key and relaxed, something I enjoy. I first went to Catalina for the 4th with my husband before we had kids in 2000. We had a BBQ buffet at the casino and enjoyed the fireworks from the balcony over the water. It was gorgeous. I remember at the time I said it was the best 4th of July I ever had.

Avalon is the big city on the Island. It's on the southern tip. Two Harbors is a smaller town on the northern part of the island and is geared for campers. Avalon has several hotels, restaurants, a couple of stores, and plenty of beach front. Avalon usually has bus tours that go around the island. They offer parasailing and underwater tours as well. *wink to Dani Thorne who loves the water!*
I've gone on a couple of underwater boat tours which were cool. I'd love to try the parasailing. Just recently they put a zip line in that takes about 2 hours for the adventurous types.

But nothing beats the 4th. The USC marching band opens up the Golf Cart Parade on the 4th of the July. Golf carts are the prefered method of travel on the island and everyone decks out their golf cart for the parade. The live band music is invigorating. A little later on, the band plays at the BBQ buffet in the casino. After the Golf cart parade we usually go back to Hamilton Cove (we usually rent out a condo for the weekend) and BBQ. When the lights get low, we go find a spot on the main drag and watch the fireworks. Last year, Joe, who was 2 1/2 at the time slept right though the fireworks.

We take off for Catalina on Saturday the 3rd and return back on the 6th.
Here are some pics from visits in the past and to everyone - have a Happy 4th.
Smiles
Steph