As planned, my friend Brad and I made the trip to Catalina Island (Avalon). We arrived on the 8:50 express ferry and immediately set out on a walk through town, to the Casino, then up into the hills. I don’t know how many times we remarked how it felt so European, so very very far away from the rat race of Los Angeles. As we walked, and then grabbed a nice lunch on the boardwalk at Catalina Cantina, the sun worked its way out and with it the temperature moderated to a perfect ocean-side warmth.

We next proceeded to get a couple of bikes and a permit to go into the interior and started on our way up into the hills again. Brad is a daily bicyclist in the city, so he managed up (in high gear of course) without ever breaking a sweat. I think I was pushing the bike before we rounded the first hill LOL! I’m out of shape for sure. But he was patient and we both were persistent and eventually we did finally make it to the top. Two+ hours later! And yes, I am hurting today.

The clouds rolled in just as we reached the top so we turned around for the much quicker ride back down. The buffalo will have to wait for next time! We rounded out the day walking and talking and waiting for the ferry back at 6:45pm. It was an exhausting, beautiful, and memorable day. You all should go if you get the chance. It reminded me a lot of Como, Italy but a lot closer.

All the pictures can be found here.

Still exhausted but still happy, Eric Small