JUST FOR FUN! Catalina Crazy, 2016!

Above (click to enlarge): Aerial view of Catalina's Isthmus - also known as "Two Harbors". Isthmus Harbor is nearest to the viewer in the photo, and Catalina Harbor, a favorite deep harbor for Spanish Explorers in the 1500's and 1600's is facing away from the viewer.

This walk through California's most amazing water wonderland, Catalina, is dedicated to David Blackford, El Segundo High Class of 1977 (of which I am also a member). Go Eagles!

Above (click to enlarge): our trusty boat, "Turn Key". Anchored on the reef off of Parsons Landing near the West End of Catalina. She's a 1998 26 foot Seaswirl Striper with 325hp Fuel Injected gas V-8 stern drive, packing 132 gallons of fuel, and sleeping for 3 below deck and 2 up on deck. Featuring radar, 2 depth finders, 2 vhf radios, auto pilot (when it works!) and 1 Raymarine Chartplotter Shuttling her owners all over California since 2012.


Introduction: We try to get the boat over to Catalina every August, but only manage to do so every other year. This year, Sue couldn't make it, but Andrew could, so we took our boat over for 11 great days of crazy fun! The boat ran great and everything went well. The weather was fine and the water was crystal clear - what more could you ask for? Let the photo montage begin!

If you have a boat and are interested in joining us in a "buddy boat" situation, just let us know. Email me at waagdiver aat gee-male dot com.

Above: Theo and Andrew on the Kayak in Avalon Harbor. Click to enlarge.

On this episode of Catalina Crazy, we'd be taking our 20 pound mutt dog out on the boat for the entire time. We didn't know how well that would go, but it ended up working out well. As a general rule, little dogs don't like water, and Theo is no exception. I "water hardened" him a bit before we left, taking  him out on my Stand-Up Paddle Board and treating him to being thrown overboard repeatedly in the cold central coast water to be left to swim to shore. He didn't like it, but he appeared to be up to the challenge. We did a little "water boarding" with him at Catalina too, as you can see from the video below:

Above: Click to enlarge. In keeping with tradition, we make a sunset paddle out from our anchorage at Eel Cove to famous Ship Rock, right as the sun is going down. We hope we don't get hit by the high volume of boat traffic (we bring lights), and it's really fun to be out at this "Catalina Classic" dive spot at sunset. We usually get back to the boat after dark - its about a 30 minute kayak. You can see Ship Rock lit up by the glowing of the last of the day's sunshine.

Above: click to enlarge. 2nd best meal the trip - 2 Harbors Grill. Bacon cheeseburger, Lagunitas IPA, and a Buffalo Milk (a Catalina specialty).

Above (click to enlarge). Right under our boat, I get a nice photo of 2 sting rays digging in for clams and other mollusks in the sand. Photo was taken in the crystal blue waters of Catalina with a cheapie Fujifilm underwater camera that I bought from Costco. 30 feet of water - breath hold dive.

Above (click to enlarge): There were an above average number of bugs out at Catalina, and this big boy let me get a few nice shots of him (out of season, of course!).

Above (click to enlarge): Amazing recovery of green abalones at Catalina. In the last few years, the population has absolutely exploded! We saw green abs everywhere alongside the front side of the island! (In fact, the fish and wildlife boarded us and searched the boat because they thought we were poaching!- they even dropped a marker buoy and sent 2 divers into the water to see if we had dropped our sacks of abalone - this was a first for me!).

Above (click to enlarge): Andrew and Theo sacked out below deck in our boat, "Turn Key". Yes, our boat now was a cabin where we can sleep in peace - amazing!

Above (click to enlarge): another amazing sunset from our mooring at Emerald Cove.

Above (click to enlarge): Yes, we think our son is cute, and so is our little water dog Theo! Photo also taken at Emerald Cove mooring.

Above (click to enlarge): Andrew snorkeling at the reef off of Parson's Landing near the West End of Catalina.

Above (click to enlarge): Best meal of the trip - by far! Andrew snags some amazingly good donuts in Avalon, and at a very reasonable price - nice job, son!

Above (click to enlarge): Theo - not a water dog. Does this look like a happy dog to you?

Above (click to enlarge): Father and son selfie. Isthmus Harbor.

Above (click to enlarge): Andrew would be back the next weekend to "Boat-In" camp with Chris and friends at Italian Gardens. In preparation for such an adventure, we anchored there for one night to get used to the spot.

Above (click to enlarge): We did a lot of hiking around the island as well. Here, Andrew is shown on the trail out to the "Crab's Claw" formation on the West End of Cat Harbor.

Above (click to enlarge): Parting is such sweet sorrow. Until next time. Sue promises me she will be on board for Summer 2017. I pray she is right. Catalina is an amazing place that everyone should visit at least once. Until then, vaya con Dios, my friends. Thanks Andrew, for joining me - what a great trip!

Above (click to enlarge): Zip Line tour at Descanso Bay, Catalina, from a previous trip (Andrew and Sue are queued up for their turn on the line!)