Catalina Island

Instead of hitting the stores on "Black Friday", Blake and I went on a short trip to Catalina Island!

For those of you who don't know,

Catalina is a small Island about 26 miles off the coast of California.

Blake and I had two for one tickets (thank you Groupon!) for the boat ride

so we packed our backpacks and went across the waters.

I got a little sea sick on the way over but it was well worth the trip...

Blake and I in the harbor. Catalina is known for it's  clear waters and warm weather.

We had 70+ degree weather both Friday and Saturady.

After hiking up to our camp ground, we unpacked our gear and went back into the city, Avalon.

We ate lunch, explored the beaches and old casino, played with crabs, went fishing and watched others scuba dive, snorkel and kayak

 (something we plan to go back and do...when we have more time and money).

It felt as if we were in a different country.

The air was so clear and there was tropical vegitation all around.

Because it is hard to transfer certain things to the island, like cars, most of the inhabitants of Catalina drive golf carts. (There is a 25 year waiting list to get a car on the island)

Bikes are something we would also take next time. There is a $35 fee to ride around on the trails but we think it would be worth it. There is so much to see and bikes would have been the perfect form of transportation.

Saturday morning we went on a hike up the mountins. We were able to see on either side of the island.

 (There is another island on the west coast of Catalina. Who knew?)

It was a very relaxing get away. Next time will you come with us?