Catalina Island

Wow!  Behind again - I promise, it's just because we are having so much fun.  Jay bought me a Roomba for our anniversary, so that should free up some time to post more.  :)  My birthday was a month ago, and I am just getting around to posting some pictures. 

We decided for my birthday weekend this year to go to Catalina Island, and, yes, go diving.  I believe for the next few months you should just consider this blog a run down of our diving adventures.  We took the afternoon ferry over on Saturday, and stayed at the Hotel Atwater.  That evening we strolled through Avalon, and had dinner at Armstrong's.  We went to bed early, since the next day would begin early. 

Our diving master and instructors took the first ferry over the next morning, and we met them at Casino Point.  The old casino in Avalon is built right on the water, and now overlooks a dive park preserve with some of the best diving I've experienced in California.  It was lovely.  We were able to get in three dives that day.  The video below was taken during our Fish ID dive - we are working towards our Advanced Open Water certification, and this was one of our skills.  The large orange fish you see are called Garibaldi.  The spotted ones are kelp bass.

That evening we rented a golf cart, and drove into the hills surrounding Avalon to get a better look at the scenery from above. 

The golf cart driver, and photographer.  I grabbed the camera for this shot.

The view of Avalon bay from the hills above.

That evening we celebrated with dinner at The Landing.  We watched the sun set over the water and enjoyed a delicious dinner.  The next morning we had time for breakfast and a quick walk along the water front to the casino before we caught the last morning ferry back home.  We will need to return to Catalina soon for a much longer visit!