On our last day on the Island, we got up early and I captured this picturesque sunrise over Avalon Harbor. You can click on the image to see the 800 by 600 pixel image.
California
Avalon at Dusk
While we were in Avalon, I snapped this panoramic view from our hotel room balcony. Click the image below for the full-sized panorama.
Camera: Canon A710s. Software: ZoomBrowser Stitch.
Clear and Pleasant Weather
During our entire visit to Catalina Island this week, we enjoyed some of the most perfect weather we’ve ever seen while visiting one of our favorite places. This photo of the famous Casino in Avalon was taken at sunset; the mainland California San Gabriel mountain range can clearly be seen in the distance. That mountain range is about a hundred miles beyond Avalon.
On Catalina Island
Today is our anniversary. We were married in the city of Avalon on Catalina Island. We would be blogging more about our excursion, but unfortunately, the laptop is malfunctioning and we’re unable to download our photos. That will happen later this week when we are home again.
Meanwhile, we will be going out to seal rocks today to visit our piniped pals. Enjoy this picture Damsel took last year from the boat.
Off to Catalina Again
It’s our anniversary week and later today, in our tradition, we’re off on a pilgrimage to the place we got married – the city of Avalon on Catalina Island. We will be crossing the Catalina Channel on the Island Express helicopter, which takes about fifteen minutes. I shot this video last year on the helicopter trip over to the Avalon Heliport.
Our plans are to visit some of our favorite places like the shops on Crescent Avenue and the botanic gardens in the hills behind the town. We plan to do a bit more hiking this time, and will probably climb the hill up to the Chime Tower. We’re looking forward to this trip. We will try and update the blog from the island with some photos and posts about the island.
Hot Shots
Whew! When we got to the range last weekend, the cooling fan wasn’t keeping up with the elevated temperatures outside. Good thing we dressed in tank tops to help us cope with the heat.
California and the West have been having a heat wave. We usually have a warm spell toward the end of summer, and this year is no exception. Don’t worry, this has been happening for the last 60 or so years that I recall as a California native (second generation), and has nothing to do with mythical anthropogenic climate change.
Shooting was a lot of fun in spite of the temperatures in the range. We each brought our little guns – Damsel’s S&W 442 and my Glock 26 – the regular hand guns – the S&W 686 revolver and the S&W 908s pistol – and all three shotguns with wooden stocks – my 40-year old Ithaca, and both our Remington 870s. The video is us emptying the 870s 5-round capacity magazines.
The 2 by 3 paper target did not do so well.
After the Rain
Unusual for August here, we had a couple little rain squalls move through thanks to the remnants of Hurricane Dean. A little sun broke through and lit up these beautiful hibiscus still bearing the raindrops from the gentle showers.
