Catalina Anniversary Trip-May/June 2008

The Long Beach Lighthouse-We went to a Coin Conference in Long Beach before we went to Catalina Island.

Our room on Catalina Island.

The view from our room.

We went horseback riding into the hills behind Avalon. You can see the harbor between the horses.

The next day, we rented a golf cart-the preferred means of transportation on the island, and drove to different places. Here we are at the entrance to the Nature Conservatory Information Center.

This interesting tree formation, and the successive cacti are all found at the Wrigley Memorial Gardens.

The path leading to the castle-like structure in the Wrigley Gardens.

The view from the top of the structure.

The drive continues up out of the canyon. here you can see the view of a different harbor.

Here we are at the Casino-which is not a gambling facility, but a large round ballroom built by the owners of the island during the Big Band Era, where they would have...Big bands, and big parties. It also has a huge theater done in the manner of the Stanley Theater. I guess the real meaning of 'casino' means "a gathering place." It has very cool art deco tiling in the entrance. But, we were unable to tour the inside- too late.

"Why the buffalo?" There was a western filmed on the island, and bison were brought over--then they just left them. So there's a herd on the island...which is kept small so they don't endanger the indigenous species-of which there are quite a few which can only be found on this island(learned that at the Nature place).

Descanso Beach Club for late lunch.

Boat ride on our last day. Had a terrific time on quaint Catalina.