Back to Catalina, Pt. 2

There was more hiking on day two; captured this little panorama as we circled around to the other side of the Island for some great ocean views. No bison were spotted on this trip; just this sign.

This particular hiking trail spilled out into the Wrigley Botanical Gardens. How the heck did I miss this on my first trip? 

The Wrigley Memorial honors William Wrigley Jr., best known as the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world. He also loved Catalina, bringing numerous improvements to it including public utilities, new steamships, a hotel, the Casino building, and extensive plantings of trees, shrubs and flowers. Wrigley was interred for a short time here but is now buried in Glendale. The original dedication plaque remains:

The memorial structure itself was incredible with its design and tile from the Catalina Pottery plant. It was built in 1933-34 by the Chicago architecture firm Bennett, Parsons and Frost. The firm also designed Chicago's Buckingham Fountain.

Later in the afternoon, the fog rolled in for a bit. Needless to say that didn’t hamper my picture taking.

Stay tuned for Part 3 as venture to the Casino. See more Catalina photos at my main website.

Back to Catalina, Pt. 1

My first trip to Catalina Island was back in June 2004 and I was still using a film camera! I had a decent time, but I remember being fairly bored before even the first day was over. My initial impression was beautiful...but not all that much to do. The photo above shows where we spent most of our Catalina visit back in 2004.

When my workout group talked about spending a weekend there, I decided what the heck…update and improve my photos and get out of town for a bit. Next thing I knew we were boarding the ferry at Long Beach and on our way! It wasn’t long before the Avalon Theatre and Casino were in view:

Once settled at our lodging, we began exploring the island with a good long hike. What views!

The weather was better than it had been in 2004; and I was much more enthused about the hike in 2020 than I was on my first trip. I am holding the souvenir bandana in my hand that our bus tour gave us; today, it serves as one of the rotation bandanas I use as a face mask. Who knew it would be useful to me some 17 years later?

Back to the present: it was also a goal of mine to explore new things that I’d missed on my first trip, and lo and behold there were plenty, including Bird Park:

While it wasn’t open for exploring the interior, there was plenty to poke around and see on the outside:

LOVE the Catalina tile that decorated the structure:

The Metropole Hotel (where I stayed on my first visit) was still in operation:

A night time view of the Casino (taken while we got ice cream):

Turns out you CAN go back…and improve a previous experience. More to come!

See more Catalina Island photos at my main website.