» catalina island
On Friday we took the ferry out to Catalina Island to meet up with Megan's parents to do some sailing. We sailed around the south side to the Palisades where we were met with stiiff winds and big waves which rocked the boat like a seasaw. We were going to sail around the entire island but we had to turn around because the wind was messing up Megan's hair.

The Palisades on the southwest side of the island. These cliffs reach heights over 1,600 feet.

Further east.

The boat, and me looking at the cliffs (Taken By Megan).

The water in this spot was very turquoise, probably due to suspended sediment washed away from the cliffs.

Island living: Once we got done with sailing, there was not much to do but sit in the sun with our remaining time. So, we went swimming and took the dingy out for a ride on the east side of the island. On our dingy ride we saw a Bald Eagle and Catalina Flying Fish.

The last glimmer from the sun, as we cruised back to Long Beach.

Left: The decommissioned Queen Mary ocean liner which earned fame during WWII when it made many transatlantic runs without incident, carrying nearly 15,000 troops at a time. Hitler went as far as offering lavish rewards for the commander who could sink her. Right: The docks at Long Beach.

» torrey pines, san diego
Torrey Pines is a dangerous place. There is the obvious danger of eroding cliff edges and rattlesnakes, but in the seemingly harmless hills there lies another hidden danger: desert plant life. While trying to avoid one part of a Prickly Pear Cactus, I rammed my knee into another part, sending a thorn deep into my knee. So I was like ok, that didn't really hurt, I'll just pull it out. So I did, with some difficulty, and it started to bleed but still it was no big deal. Then I tried to walk and was like what the hell? Did my knee just get clubbed by Tanya Harding? Seriously, I couldn't walk without limping, from a little thorn, from a stupid plant. If I had a baseball bat I would have beat the hell out of that plant. But as it was, with my soft, daily moisturized skin, I had no chance against a cactus.

So, a word to the wise, don't mess with desert plant life, they are hardcore and ruthless. I don't completely blame them, they are probably like "living in the desert with no water is hard enough, I dont need you bumbling animals trampling me too... and what's with all the moving anyway? Why can't you just be like a plant and be happy where you are?". Well screw you plant bitches, as long as Tumbleweeds can move, so can I.

The cliffs near Flat Rock.

Looking down on the lagoon.

Buckwheat.

Left: A deadly Prickly Pear Cactus. Right: Broken Hill.

A couple of people walking down on the beach.

 

< Back to Photos & Trip Reports

» all photo reports from southern california
San Diego, California
December 18 - 31, 2012
Photos from Torrey Pines and Encinitas.
La Jolla, California
June 9 - 20, 2011
Photos from the coastline around La Jolla.
Cabrillo National Monument, California
May 28, 2009
Enjoying the great views from Point Loma. Not a lot of (good) photos though.
San Diego, California
August 7 - 12, 2008
Not many photos, we mostly hung out at the beach.
La Jolla, California
December 23 - 30, 2007
Hiking around Torrey Pines, enjoying the views from Mount Soledad, and walking along La Jolla Cove.
San Diego, California
December 25 - 29, 2006
Pictures from Torrey Pines, La Jolla beaches, and Iron Mountain.
Santa Catalina Island & San Diego, California
July 20 - 26, 2006
Sailing around Santa Catalina Island and hiking around Torrey Pines State Park in San Diego.
Santa Catalina Island, California
May 6, 2006
Hiking to Lone Tree Point on Santa Catalina Island, one of the Channel Islands off the coast of Los Angeles.
Southern California
August 25 - 30, 2005
Hiking in the Laguna Mountains, and kayaking La Jolla Shores.
Southern California
February 10 - 15, 2005
Pictures from multiple trips, including Torrey Pines, Big Bear, Anza-Borrego Desert, and Santa Barbara.
 
Around California
August 11 - 26, 2012
From San Diego to Yosemite to Lake Tahoe.
San Diego, California
December 21 - 31, 2009
A few photos from the beach.
Joshua Tree, California
December 22 - 31, 2008
A quick trip through Joshua Tree National Park and a few other places near San Diego.
San Diego, California
March 27 - April 1, 2008
Wandering the beaches of La Jolla, checking out the Anza-Borrego Desert, and doing a quick hike near Iron Mountain.
Torrey Pines, California
January 20, 2007
A few pictures from an evening walk along the beach in Torrey Pines State Park.
Big Sur, California
July 22, 2006
Driving up the California coast from San Diego to Monterey, checking out Morro Bay, San Simeon, McWay Falls, Big Sur, and Point Lobos.
San Diego, California
May 4 - 8, 2006
Hiking around the San Diego area: Torrey Pines, La Jolla Cove, San Diego Gliderport, and some inland canyons.
Southern California
November 10 - 14, 2005
Hiking in the Anza-Borrego Desert, exploring Anacapa Island in Channel Islands National Park, and climbing Iron Mountain.
Southern California
May 2005
Hiking to Cedar Falls, up Woodson Mountain, and through La Jolla Valley.
Torrey Pines, California
Favorites
My favorite photos from Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego.
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