May 31, 2015 Catalina



We really like San Diego (did I say that before?) but it was time to say goodbye. Up at 0430 and away by 0500 for our long passage to Avalon on Catalina Island. Catalina is a special place for us as we spent at least a week here on our different boats for many summers. Our kids remember Catalina with great memories of playing in the sun and sand, jumping off the boat into the water, and the fun restaurants in Avalon. The amazing thing about Catalina is that not much has changed on the island since the 1950's. But everything changes, and for us a big disappointment is that the Busy Bee restaurant is now a new restaurant. We used to looked forward to a 'greasy burger' and fries at Busy Bee as soon as we arrived at Avalon—oh well.
We spent eight days at Avalon as our son Chris and his family wanted to visit us at Avalon on Serenity. It was a little early in the season, and there had been a big Budwiser Beer fest on the weekend just ended so Avalon was pretty deserted for the week that we were there—which was just fine for us. It was cool in the mornings and nights but sunny and warm in the mid-days. We went for our morning coffee, did the crossword together, went for a nice hike, then back to the boat for some R&R. On Saturday Chris, Niloo, and two year old Alison came out for a visit. We all had fun, but Alison had the most fun—she loves the ocean and the beach. This was what we wanted to come home for—enjoying our time with our family. Sadly, Chris and crew had to leave after only one night on the boat and then it was just Sherry and I again—which we love, too.
On June 8th we motored up to the area on Catalina called Isthmus Harbor. We have great memories of the Isthmus with our kids and my mother. We were a bit shocked when we were charged $60/night to tie up to one of the moorings in Isthmus--$9 bucks more than Avalon. The Isthmus has one old hamburger shop, a restaurant, a small grocery store—and that is about it. When we went pale and almost fell over the harbor master lady that collectd our fee said, kinda apologetically, that their fees have gone up lately. I told her that it had been over six years when we were here last—and YES the fees have gone up—oh well.
We are traveling all day tomorrow to Ventura—our home port. It will be the end of our adventures on Serenity—we both are happy and sad.