By Georgia Osten
It’s always good to get away, and it’s always good to get back home again. We recently took another trip to California, this time to the Southern California. We flew into Costa Mesa on a Wednesday to visit family. Thursday morning, we left for our 26 Miles Across the Sea to Santa Catalina Island, one of the 5 Channel Islands. The boat ride was amazing, three floors of seating/standing, three bars with everything from a deck of cards to a Bloody Mary. The trip takes a little over an hour, and the water was calm, thank goodness – no need for the barf bags.
On the way, I told the group about the Garibaldi fish that hang around the rocks, their orange-ness visible through the crystal clear water. 
Everyone thought I was telling another fish story so I couldn’t wait to point them out time and time again.
We rented a golf cart to get us around, high up into the island to catch the panoramic views. We passed by the Pre-K through 12th grade where almost one thousand island kids attend school. We found the Cabana Club where we promised ourselves a leisurely lay-around the next day. Dinner that evening on a pier over the water, a full moon, clam chowder and crab cakes, ending with Crème Brule and coffee.
After a day at the Cabanas, Juan, our Taxi Driver, got us back to the 4:30 boat which would take us back to Newport Beach. Juan has lived on the island for 21 years, has 5 children all born in Long Beach. Four of the kids still live at home, the oldest is over in Long Beach going to college.
I figure, in my next lifetime, I may be a water taxi driver for the boats in the harbor around the casino. It could happen … it’s magical!
[9-19-2016]
GO’s Sand Bucket is only one beach bum’s journal of life at the beach, probably something each of you can relate to. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts, visions and/or feelings of just exactly what the beach means to you.
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