Hummingbird: Catalina Island WOW Still Beautiful

After docking at San Fran for the day it was out to sea again and the next morning we docked near Catalina Island. We took a small boat onto the island. One of the first scenes was how the islanders get ready for Halloween. This huge cactus garden in front of a shop had spinder web decor all over it.

We took a bus trip to the top of the island to view the ocean better and see the "airport in the sky".

This was an old vintage 50's bus but well kept and souped up with a engine which would get us to the top of the island.

Such a cool shiny vintage bus......

This old airport hanger use to be at the base of the island but they took it apart piece by piece and brought it up the mountain and reassembled it.

This is a view of our ship as we headed around the curvy road.

The views just got better and better as we got higher and higher.

Gabe was the first one on the bus to spot this fox. The driver said that was a rare sight.

At the old airport they had a big map to show where we are.

This airport is unique because it had only a 3200 foot runway to take off from. Our driver said he had seen many planes just go up and then over the cliffs into the ocean.

They made a good bowl of homemade soup in this airport and I was hungry.

This old airplane, still in use, was parked on the runway. I can just see the old movies stars of the 40's and 50's, flying over from Los Angeles for a weekend of fun.

Mighty big ocean out there...

Through the hase and smog you can see Los Angeles...

Jacke Green, my friend's husband, would love this place. It is a environmental conservatory. You can camp out in upgraded tents and have complete access of the island. On your bike you can explore the flora and fauna and animals.

Buffalo on Catalina Island????? YES! The way the story is told, there was a hollywood producer back in the 50's that filmed a movie here and in one of the scenes he wanted a buffalo. So he had one or two shipped in. After the movie was completed he left and left behind the buffalos. They repoduced and now there are a couple of hundred. Every year if they get too many they just ship them off the island.

Our ship...home sweet home....

Catalina Island far below. Can you see the windy road we took to get up here?

This is a mirror that is placed on the switch back curves so the driver can see if anyone is coming because someone is going to have to stop and move to one side.