So CA photography adventure?

You were right about the flowers, but the snow was still there (at about 14,300' on the southwest side of the mountain).

I only saw one marmot, but couldn't get the camera up quick enough. I couldn't believe how friendly and tame the chipmunks have gotten, though. I swear they would have hopped into my hand if I'd just held it out... Especially one in particular at Trailside Meadow.

Yes, the marmots and chipmunks like to hang out there since there is a supply of grass and flowers to munch on. They get a little more aggressive just above there at Trail Camp. They know that hikers have food hidden in the tent, so they try every trick in the book to get it, including chewing a hole in the side of the tent. I snapped a few nice chipmunks on the trail this year.

---Bob Gross---

Any Update on this?

If you need any help, let me know.

-Johnny

Sorry for the delay, everyone...I've not had much time to work on it. I'll have something soon, all right?

Best-
Noni

Sounds good to me...

Steve

Did a little research...

http://www.visitcatali​naisland.com/

Has a lot of differant options depending on much we want to spend, I'm going to be light on cash, so I'm all for the lower priced and DIY options.

Depending on how much we want to spend, There are things like Buffalo Safari, Hiking trails through in inner part of the island, Kayak tours (probably NOT a good idea, Saltwater + camera = Bad) Bus tours, the Botanical Gardens, etc. I'm still looking for a Avalon to Two harbors shuttle, I know one exists, but I havnt found it yet.

-Johnny

*Edit*

There is a Bus option that goes from Avalon to 2 Harbors for $23.50 each way. and we can catch the boat back to Avalon and then to the mainland.

Johnny, you just rock. Thanks for the help!

Best-
Noni

I gotta' be honest: $47.00 to ride a bus seems pretty steep...

Steve

I agree with that, but they've got the market cornered. I was reading that its a 10 year waiting list to own a Gas powered Vehicle in Catalina...

-Johnny

I'll travel by mule train before I pay $47.00 to ride a bus. That's just insane.

I'll meet you fine folks in Avalon, and I'll stay put there; plenty of stuff to shoot...

Steve

well, you can travel on the Bus to Two harbours, and ride the boat back to Shore, saves $23.50

I'd rather go to Two Harbors off the bat, but I'm going to have fun and meet everyone more then anything else, so where the group goes, I'll be there.

-Johnny

A friend of mine is a private pilot. One day, he rented a plane, and we flew, from San Diego, over to the Catalina Airport for lunch (yummy Buffalo burgers).

I don't even think my share of the gas was $47.00...

Steve

Hi, all! Sorry for the horrible delay, but I've had a houseguest who's having serious medical treatments, and I've been taking care of her...

BUT!!! I'm back, and while the med stuff will be going on for a bit, it looks good to go for the trip.

What we've decided already:
Catalina Island Photo Shoot Adventure
September 10, 2005 (second weekend in September, the weekend after Labor Day)

Still to decide:
Avalon or Two Harbors.

Avalon has a harbor, and has 3,500 inhabitants.
Two Harbors has a harbor (smaller), and 150 inhabitants.

I tend to think that Avalon is best, simply because more tours originate from Avalon, and there's more to do walking-wise and hanging out wise (and people photographing wise) than there is in Two Harbors. Because Two Harbors is so small, I'm not sure about the food and stuff, but I've not been there, so I don't really know.

Some of the tours that caught my eye are:

Avalon:
Inside Adventure Tour: 2 hours $32.50
Sea View (glass Bottomed boat): 45 minutes: $12.75

Seal Rock: (East end of valley, seals and dolphins and bald eagles): 1 hour: $16.50

Combo tours:

Inside adventure tour and Sea View: $39.59
or Seal Rock: $39.95
http://www.catalinainf​o.com/outadventuretour​s.html

(And I think there's a three tour adventure, but I'm not sure how many people would want that...)
And I also think there are group rates, but I don't know how many people are going to come, and it would need to be pre-paid, and that's not necessarily something I'd want to get into, you know?

Two Harbors:
Buffalo Safari, from Two Harbors: 4 hours, $89.00 each
http://www.catalinainf​o.com/outtours.html


Getting there:
From Long Beach/San Pedro to Avalon: Catalina Express: $49 R/T (44 Senior)
Dana Point: $51 R/T (46 Senior)
http://www.catalinaexp​ress.com/public_html/s​ched_current.htm
(Watch the times and dates: they change)

Here's what I propose:
~Meet in Avalon at earliest possible time
~Take the Seal Tour in the morning (on east side of island, so sun is better in am)
Lunch/Munch
~Take the Inside Island Adventure (takes us to the buffalos, and so forth) after that
~**IF we want, or if part of the group wants, the Glass Bottom Boat (45 minutes) **
~Spend the rest of the day exploring the beach and/or Avalon by foot
~Take the last available boat back to our point of origin

What think you all?

Best-
Noni

Both the Sea View and Seal Rock tours sound great to me. Can those two be combined? I can't decide if that's what you're saying there, but it looks like it is.

I'll have to sit this one out. That weekend is when we're celebrating my youngest son's birthday, and I'll be taking plenty of pictures of that!

I am looking forward to seeing everyone's pictures!

-- John