Our new favorite getaway...

Since we moved to California and we are away from family the Holidays are now different than what we grew up with. Some years we go to visit family for Thanksgiving, some years we have family visit us. This year it was going to be just the 4 of us. One year we went to Palm Desert and absolutely loved the desert. I am convinced that I was a reptile in a former life because I love the heat (although it is not usually that hot in November), but I digress...


We were going to go back to our favorite desert spot, but then we decided to go to Catalina Island. We have been in California for 5 years and have never been there. We have heard many speak well of the island and Avalon. So 'L' made the arrangements and off we went on the Catalina Flyer.



One hour and fifteen minutes later we descended on Catalina Island and the town of Avalon.

It was the most wonderful, relaxing 4 days that we have spent in a long while. There are only a small number of cars allowed on the island and 1 golf cart per address. You can walk to so much in town and bike ride and hike. There is something for everyone. On our next trip we are going to take more tours, we want to take a tour inland to see the bison that were brought onto the island to film a movie and were left after filming.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving meal...

After dinner we went to see Bolt at the Casino...

The Casino was built in 1929 and was restored a few years ago. It is absolutely magnificent. We sat in old style theater seats without cup holders...with very little leg room... and no 3D movie screen...

The kids got to see a bit of the past...

I got them all to hike up to the old Wrigley Mansion one day...

We took a golf cart tour...

We walked and ate and walked and ate...

We walked on the pier...

and fed the fish....

This time of year is considered the "off season" - it was pretty quiet, we definitely want to go back and see what it is like during the summer...

We boarded the Catalina Flyer and sailed off into the sunset...

back to reality and the countdown to Christmas....