This will be done in a few installments - so stay tuned

Ok, so what I really wanted to call this thread is "Geezela says Becky is her favorite person in all of BT-dom and told Cynde so in front of witnesses", but I was afraid Cecil would feel bad



We all know how hectic air travel can be, but at Milwaukee's Mitchell International they really give you a place to collect yourself after going through security



I took a few treats with me for my wonderful and gracious hostess (with the mostess)



We then headed to the Harbor (or as parts of the country say "Haabaah") to chill on Tuffy



We did make a stop at the dive shop so I could try on and rent a 7mm wetsuit for our Catalina dives. Nope - no pictures of that lovely event... and no Downy either, right Tink?

Boom and her wonderful hubby Guy joined us at the harbor; I think she liked my mozzarella whips (we were calling them cheese worms, LOL)



Catalina Island is amazing. We didn't get to spend much time there after our 3 tank dive boat trip, but it's someplace I'll definitely return to.

We dove with Scuba Luv on the boat the King Neptune. It was a top notch operation. Thorough dive briefings without being nit-picky. They let you dive your own profiles and times. They were wonderful.

We dove 3 sites: Ship Rock (or Sh*t rock, depending on who you ask ) where we had 70 foot vis, Isthmus where we had 30-40 foot vis, and Sea Fan Grotto where we may have had 20 foot vis. Temps were 60-64F, very mild currents, a fair bit of particulates in the water.

More Pictures to come...

I'm smiling, we had such a great time! Missing you T3DBs (top 3 dive buddy).

There were more than "particulates" at sea fan grotto...we got in the water and it was uh...milk...we just kept heading for the wall, and i kept looking down thinking "i know it's there somewhere." Quite a few divers said they got very disoriented trying to go through it.

Love the dicombobulation area...every airport needs one!

I don't think so, Beckeeeee. Don't be messing with my GFF, Geezala, she was just playing you on to get more treats. I know where her heart lies (get more treats, the slut).

It is an amazing place and Cynde, Hunny Bunny, the kids and Tuffy just make it all the more special.

Catalina island is a wonderful spot. Unfortunately it's been many years since I was there but fond memories indeed. And,I love that song by The 4 Preps (I believe).."26 miles across the sea".. or "40 kilometers in a leaky old boat".

Is jealousy a bad attribute to have on BT? I can't wait to dive Catalina with the Tinker and company.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdMEx609X_8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXWeJ6V-aow&feature=related

Bad song, but great place.

Jacques...it's a GREAT song! You just gotta get into it..I remember when I first started diving; on the cover of Skin Diver magazine was Tony Franciosa (who was a scuba diver)on Santa Catalina.

OH, Becky, Beach Cities Scuba sent me the private survelance vid of you trying on the 7mm wetsuit...LOL! Poor Becky came out of the bathroom/dressing room sweating after the first one. She then promptly took our advise and bought a skin, and then I showed her how to "fix the legs" so it's easier to get on. Second time worked like a charm No downy needed either!

Jim, I am so stoked you are coming for the 2010 MM...Avalon will be such a fun/cool place to gather. And, if we are having a heat wave, it's not so hot over there...

Thanks for the link to the song...

Cecil, Geezela is a slut, that's for sure. She was woo wooing Becky like there was no tomorrow!

Hi Beckeeee! Nice pics and report, looking forward to more. I couldn't believe how good viz was for you all from the other pics. Never made it out that far west, heck, Texas, Ohio has been as far out west as I have gotten, glad you got a chance to see it and dive too!

I have a good friend who just celebrated living on the island for 40 years.

In the old days, the steamers would come from Long Beach or San Pedro on the steamers and would throw coins in the water as they came into harbor. Young boys would dive in the water for the coins, my friend did it...here's an old pic I found of Avalon in 1948.

OK - Lawn mowing done... time to kick back with a beer and some cake (nice supper eh? there will be pizza later) and go for installment number 2

And Cecil... you are right - Geeze is a treat slut (can we say that on BT?) She still loves you best!

Here's a sample of what we saw down under around Catalina Island. Forgive my id's if they're wrong (Tink will correct me!)



















Hope that wasn't too boring, I just could not get over the beauty of the kelp.

Now on to some critters



























Stay tuned for more pics and perhaps someone famous

Augh, Beckeeee, just little boxes, come out pics, come out, waiting patiently here....

refresh Debbie - they should be there now

Nice, they came out now, guess it was delayed or something before. WOW!

OMG, Becky, you can see his TEETH in the last one. I actually think I see bits of tiny sea star legs...lol!

The yellow and black striped fish is a rarity seen. They do very good jobs at hiding, and are one of our only other "colorful" fish, the "Tree Fish" you got it Becky!

Cynde - that was his floss, LOL

That video ought to make it's way to Youtube as a "How not to try on a 7mm wetsuit" Oy vey... it was hot and humid, not a pretty sight. Where the heck was that Downy when I needed it??

Becky, will you send me the big/original file of the fourth kelp pic? That is magnificent! kelp "forest" indeed!

Becky, Dick knew the town where you live! They also brought us summer sausage and cheese! Amazingly, they brought us different kinds than you did. I told him about the whips LOL!

WOW!!! I still can't get over the great viz!
Really super job on the pics Becky and you saw a lot!! Must be that zen diver in you!

I'm so glad that you all got to have such a great day

Boom - I soooo wish you two could have joined us underwater

Very, Very COOL!

WOW, awesome pictures!! Sounds like a fabulous time with fine friends
2010 WCMM just may have to happen for me
Thanks for sharing, Becky!!! You done good!!!

Catalina, what a difference to the hustle and bustle of 26 miles away. Vince, we all have to remember where you started scuba diving. LOL

yea Jim..Catalina is over 3000 miles from the Manasquan inlet in NJ and a world apart..
I confess that I do have a special affinity for Catalina..When I decided to get married, there was only 1 spot which I found suitable for the proposal..Avalon. She did say yes...
And for those who don't know..
The designated state fish of the "golden state" is the Garibaldi of which I see Beckee got several shots of.

Wow, Vince, you proposed in Avalon? If I may ask, what year?

It's pretty much the same. A few new "big" houses on the hill. They have put a moratorium on new houses, so no more. I went there in the 70s when I was in HS and College, it was much more "quiet" than it is now days. It is hard to find a rental unit, and some places have two or three families living in them. So it has "changed."

Still nice though. Two Harbors is our fav. Only those who work there can live there. One restaurant (serves breakfast lunch and dinner, same wait staff...lol), one tiny general store. an 11 room b&b, camp, or boat in, that's it. Talk about another world 26 (or 46 for us) miles away! sometimes it's hard to believe the mainland exists!

Summer, Avalon Harbor...packed!
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/avalon/webcam2.php

Looks like 2 harbors is busy too...
http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/twoHarbors/webcam.php

Vince, it's a 500 dollar fine to take Mr. G. I think that's one of the reasons they are so aggressive and have such an attitude (other than being a damsel)...They know you can't touch them.

those are great Beck- Love he Garabaldi - man there are just too many beautiful places to see and not enough time...

Cyndee..Omagosh...I saw your pics!! Rest assured it didn't look anything like that when I was there in '85. Never made it to Two Harbors. And if I remember correctly, kelp is the fastest growing plant on the planet.

Vince, Avalon is where Guy and I retreated to plan our wedding It is truly a wonderful spot!
Becky I wish we could have too - but in another year or so, Guy will be retired and we'll be on Jim McPeak Time Until then, I'm encouraging him to get in as much flying time as possible!

Next year though.... WCMM 2010

Very cool pic's.

I like cheese.

I love Catalina. Can't wait for the next MM.

Any topside pics???

We have an Avalon in New Jersey too. It's actually really nice.

I need someone to lay on the bottom, surrounded by the kelp and look up and take a pic of kelp for me. THAT would be a cool painting!!! Maybe I should come to CA and do it myself!! THAT would be MUCH better!!!!!!

Pegi Sue... I may have a picture or two for you from that vantage point... I'll check. You may need to "manipulate" them a bit on photoshop, though... I don't have it or know how to use it.

OK, here's the last installment of my Southern California trip report

On the way back in to Avalon Harbor, we went by some pretty big expensive boats like this one:



Which just happens to be owned by none other than Nicholas Cage - WHO WAS ON BOARD!!!!


Wooooo hoooo, HI Nic!!!



Here's some shots of Avalon as we are coming in on the dive boat.








Since we had only 30 minutes before having to catch the Catalina Express back to Dana Point, Cynde and I went to Luau Larry’s for take out burgers and fries while Michael waited with all our dive gear. On the way to Luau Larry’s we passed the famous:



Sunday we just chilled, slept in, and headed for Laguna Beach – where it was a bit cooler than it was farther inland. We had pizza with twigs and sticks on it (LOL – artichoke spinach pizza – very good!!) and there would have been a picture, but the camera got lost/stolen .







Unfortunately... then it was time to come home. I do have to comment on the importance of airport security. They are very thorough. So thorough in fact, that in the Santa Ana airport, you are not allowed to use a metal butter knife. Hmmm, I think that metal fork could be a dangerous weapon, but what do I know?



Cynde and Michael are the most gracious hosts... they are truly delightful people and a blast to hang out with (as are Tara and Guy!!!). Their precious pups are also a delight, and quite humorous as well

Thanks for the story & pics.

Nic was waving to all of us on the dive boat as we were all frantically snapping pics and waving...I think I might have yelled out "I love you nic" in the frenzy, not sure ;-)

Becky, I have my camera in the beach shot, I'm sure I left it on the grass when I fainted (it was HOT)...We were hanging out in the Bathroom of BJs (yes, that's the name of the nut and twig pizza place) because it had AC. A gal in there said they came down from Long Beach as it was 20 degrees cooler in Laguna Beach. Most folks that live on the coast don't have AC (unless you are in a newer home, and most of the coastal properties are old).

That pic of punkie is not punkie...lol...that's our talker again :-) Becky, I've been putting punkie's "shoes" on to see if that helps around the house, but she manages to get them off! Here's our "special" gal. What was it again you thought she might have?


Where are the mask pics???? WHERE ARE THE GD MASK PICS? lol...

One of the most enjoyable parts of the weekend (other than hanging with Boom and Guy, "shopping in Laguna Beach' and our dives) was Sunday evening. It had finally cooled down and Becky and I spent the majority of the evening on the back DECK looking at pics on my puter, reading FB, BT, searching for "interesting pictures of cakes"...we did a lot of laughing, chatting, and it was a very special evening getting to know Becky. She is a GEM and a very easy house guest (specially in a major heat wave...oh vey!)

Sorry Cynde... I wasn't sure it was Punkie but couldn't tell - thanks for posting her for real

Do you want the mask pics posted here??? I'll send them to you, but leave it up to you to post them - how's that.

Oh, what I thought Punkie might have is Cerebellar Hypoplasia - it's just a theory, though.

That last night on your DECK was amazing - perfect weather, no bugs (unlike here), and tons of laughing (especially at Kiwi's impatience about the masks, LOL). Good times!!!

WOW...just beautiful!
And NICHOLAS!!! wow...what a treat!

Thanks for posting...very cool pictures!

Super shots for what appears to have been a super weekend. Becky - did I see two bags of cheese curds??? I LOVED fried cheese curds when I spent my time in Wisconsin. Don't know if they'd love me anymore though.

I'm keeping 2010 WC MM in my head and in my calendar - what fun!

Mara, you have to come...

I want to be there too!! I need to get that Kelp shot...

PegiSue, please come....I wanna play with you.....

awesome trip report!!!