Wine Tasting and our Catalina Island adventure

Temecula California. Such a great wine area….and we only joined 2 wine clubs (even after we said we wouldn’t do it!) CHEERS!!!

Santa Catalina Island…..a beautiful beach town with amazing history

We took the car ferry from Balboa Island to Balboa (it takes 3 cars and was 5 minutes for a $1.25). I saw a great little beach house I thought would be fun, until I saw the price tag ($ 3.7 million at 2,100 sq. ft. and not on the water).
We then hopped the 60 minute Catalina Flyer over to Catalina Island. Uh Oh….you know when they start handing out barf bags on the boat there is trouble….but thankfully not for us!!

The views are amazing on the island. You tour the area by golf cart for views of the: the harbor, the chimes tower, the art deco casino (but there is no gambling), the green pier (fish off the end for $5) and the waterfront shopping. Catalina Island is a great place to visit….but very expensive.

Catalina Island History…a movie star hang out, bison are still on the island from old films, and the famous harbor seal named Old Ben who would greet visitors at the dock. And of course there is the Chicago connection: Wm. Wrigley’s Jr’s and his descendants developed (and continue to develop) Catalina Island. They founded the Conservancy organization to preserve the natural areas of the island. He also founded the Catalina Tile and Pottery company. Its no longer in business, but you see unique tile in so many places. Most Exciting: Cubs Spring training was here 1921 - 1951. GO CUBS!!!

Sitting under the palm trees with beautiful ocean breezes! ahhhhhh