Two Harbors at the isthmus of Catalina remains in 2022 as it was 30 years ago, an emerald green safe harbor just offshore, accessible only by boat. Lots of boats.
Great vid, also reading your book...quite a delightful read - hoping to do the same someday, from San Diego...also originally from New Jersey (Cranford)
I learned to sail some 50 years ago growing up in Sicily and my first sail after going to the usa was to Catalina! I loved 2 harbors! Then spent the next 20 odd years sailing the caribbean and trips back to Europe, home in Palermo living aboard my sailboat. The first boat I bought as a young girl Erwin was a precision sloop 23’ and became a stick boat captain lol! Now after retirement I’ve finally 55 years later lol got my Beneteau Oceanis 40 as my home and am heading from the Caribbean to the pacific once the Panama Canal is well not a month long voyage 🙄. I can’t wait to sail into 2 harbors again! Love your sea storytelling and well your experience knowledge and vision of life sailing and the world! Thanks so much for sharing! Fair winds and fins up salty dog!!
I've decided that some people are impervious to change -- and I'm one of them. When I was a kid my family owned a Columbia 50 -- at the time the largest production sloop made, and the sleek lines and it's gorgeous cabin, from the mind of Bill Tripp, made it my #1 favorite racing/cruising supersloop. The designs coming out today, while admittedly _fast,_ have the look of a trowel with a keel on it. Space-age sail material, multiple rudders, multiple keels, multiple wheels, do away with the sleek lines of a classic sailboat and reduce it to a simple one-design racing machine that loses the mystique of classic offshore sailboats with classic designs -- tons of overhang, angled-in transoms, flush decks, and gorgeous lines. The Beneteau, in my opinion, has got to be the ugliest fashioned sailboat in existence; Jeanneau is not far behind. Just 'way too techy and looks like it was designed by a teenager who just added stuff as they went along. I pine for the time I sailed competitively a half century ago, in a boat that turned heads and people envied for its beauty and its prowess on the race course.
@@briane173 I used to be a sailor, even professionally, when i was young (44 now, and unfortunately I didn't find a way to go back sailing in the last few years... especially when i moved to L.A., not having any sailing connection s here) and i was there when the changes in design arrived. I have to say that some newer projects are nice anyway. I love the new Amel for example. But the classic boats are really unforgettable!
Doug Bombard owned that restaurant for years. He's 96 now. He was born & raised on the island. He also owns both the Catalina Express ferries, & his two sons are the Captains. I believe Greg is 74 & the other son is 72. Still working. Probably retire when there around 80 like their father Doug. Doug's my hero. He knew all the movies stars. John Wayne considered Doug one of his best friends. Right before the Duke died, he went to The Isthmus & to Doug's restaurant & said Bombard get out here. I'm sure they greeted with a big hug, the Duke told Bombard the cancer has spread all over. He said he would be going to his wife's ranch in Mexico, she was a beautiful mexican woman from Mexico. I believe he died in a hospital near his home in California. He was going to build a big nice estate there on Catalina, & had even asked Mr Rigley for permission, but it just wasn't in the cards for him. Bombard also found Natalie Woods' body, he knew the island & the water currents in the ocean like the back of his hand. I hope to make Catalina my home very soon. May Peace, health, happiness, & love, be over abundant in your lives. Bentley.
Welcome back my friend!!! I have missed your wit, wisdom, and travels! I hope this becomes a bit more regular in the postings. You truly are one of my most favorite channels to watch.
I grew up on a boat in Marina del Rey. We often sailed over to Catalina for a weekend or a 3-day weekend or maybe even longer if Dad's vacation could be lined up with school vacation. We saw the touristy Avalon a few times, then gravitated toward the West End: Isthmus Cove and Cat Harbor. We found a hole in Cat Harbor where we could anchor way far in. Many adventures were had over the years there. One night, early on, I was lying there in my berth, trying to go to sleep, but something seemed wrong. It took me a few minutes to figure it out. I was lying in _my_ bunk on _our_ boat, the bunk I slept in all the time, but something was different. Then it hit me: No traffic noise. Back on the mainland, every minute of every day there's the background radiation of traffic noise--a companion so constant that you forget it even exists. And there was no light pollution, either. It gets _really_ quiet and _really_ dark there at night. I rolled over and slept deeply. I always slept well at the Isthmus or Cat Harbor after that.
Many great memories sailing our Westsail 28 to Two Harbors with friends in the mid 90s. We would leave Marina Del Rey at night and arrive on the island after dawn. The night sails across were lovely.
Hi Christian, my husband and I have been waiting for a new video from you, it has been a while so we were concerned. Thank you so much for sharing your dream with us. Lisa Crank From Michigan.
Christian , your videos are among my favorite on RU-vid. I watch your videos almost every night to help me sleep. Your voice is soothing and I love the learning you offer. You subtle humor is magnificent please keep making videos. Wish I could buy you a beer for all the nights you have helped my stress level , thank you so much
My granfather owned a famous bar in Avalon called the Flying Yachtsman back in the 1950's. He knew all the famous movies stars. At that time, the Big White steamer would make the trip once or twice per week, otherwise, one had to have a boat. I asked once..:hey grandad, why were married so many times (6); he replied.."I fell in love every summer". Have not been back for many years. No doubt so much has changes..and perhaps not for the best. but, really fond memories of the days spent along the cost from Isthmus to Cherry Cove to Emerald Cove and other.
An amazing episode. So much artistry, time, thought, and effort you must have put into it. A-shame RU-vid rewards the quickly shot, but ever consistent, (v)logger style creators. Please do not stop making your style videos.
The Dinghy Raft Up at 15:50 is part of the Beneteau Rendezvous event at Two Harbors. I was at the Isthmus a week prior with another yachting company for their Rendezvous. Thanks for showing this!
Just missed you as we were there with Capt Lori (Asa 104, 114). Cat Harbor was a magical place to anchor and wake up to, hope to return soon. Cheers, 🍻
Another wonderfully shared adventure. Your narration is addictive, your habits are similar to mine (minus the pipe), although my wife shouts at me when I play the drums with kitchen utensils... :(
Your percussion skills have improved markedly from the Hawaii trip!! I will soon be buying an Island Packet 380 to be named “Charlie Bird” in homage to your “Thelonius”. We’ll be cruising the Gulf coast of Florida with plans to see the Bahamas and later swing south through the eastern Caribbean.
I completed a boat dive in Avalon Harbor in 1977 as part of my dive qualifications. Kelp bed right at the edge of the moorages back then, 70 feet of water, small sharks, garabaldi. Didn't go ashore but it was enjoyable for an 18-year old kid who had almost 1-year into the Navy and was seeking a diving adventure. There was an old story of diamonds in a safe at the bottom of that harbor from years back; don't know if that was real or fictional. Exciting nevertheless.
The big FOAM thing that kids can play on, while their parents watch from the safety yet dry cockpit, is called a Lilly Pad!! Go figure... All the best Richard
Christian, as a Palos Verdes kid, this video hit closer to home than most. Even in a second watch, your videos never fail to add a little smile to my day. Please continue to inspire us with your youthful, joyful adventures on the seas. All the best now from the far east Med
PS: The southern tip looks remarkably what I imagine much of the PV and local area looked liked before Europeans arrived. Apparently there was hardly a tree you couldnt look over on the peninsula before we started planting all you'll find there today
I live in Vancouver, Canada and I'm just about to leave for a week of sailing in the Gulf Islands. How perfect to kick it off with your tour of Catalina on Thelonious. I've always wondered what it's like there. Surprised to see how calm that water was on the trip over. Is that normal for summer? Thanks for continuing to make these little gems.
Christian you are always a joy to watch but to have your better half along is just delightful. I especially like her descriptive explanation of the reading material she was enjoying. Mmmm, and black coffee on board is the best besides the Mai tai’s.
Brilliant. Thoroughly enjoy your story telling with a mix of humour, wisdom, history, its all in there. Was quick to view once I saw you in my feed again! Have always wanted to see Catalina Island but its quite distance from NewZealand, unless I one day purchase that sail boat on the West coast and sail home - via Catalina island of course! And your right - kids dont remember, at least not the things you want them too! (Said with a laugh)
You captured it! I grew up there in the early ‘70s enjoying a Cal 40, the Isthmus YC (civil war barracks) and remember the guy who would walk the road playing bag pipes at sunset. It’s still there! Cheers.
I am surprised to see a more personal video this time and have totally enjoyed it. Your previous videos were mostly based on the relationship between you and your boats. You may think that you have shared enough of your long trips 😊 Thank you.
I love it, I just found your channel. Going back to the beginning. Nice to see an old grumpy sailing codger like me in the mix. Love the no non sense reporting, say hey to the missus, and hope you have a safe sail always.
You make me miss the days of sailing to Catalina Island, especially to the isthmus. Fun times. Glad to see you using the plastic spatula this time instead of a metal one on the Teflon-coated pan. Good to see you on RU-vid again.
Hello from Long Island NY. I am planning to finally take a few sailing courses at the start of 2023 and hopefully starting sailing on my own by spring. Always looking forward to and enjoy watching each of your new episode. Cheers!!
If you keep track of these things, I didn't get a notification (am subscribed two three years now) but found you on my RU-vid queue. Great video -- I've always wanted to go to not Avalon but Two Harbors. Regards.
Thanks. As I understand it, notifications are on/ off by choice of RU-vid users (in RU-vid settings). Content providers have no control of alerts to their new videos, I suppose because such an ability would be radically abused....
Just a couple of days ago I was thinking, Geez, seems like a long time since we've seen Christian -- and then here you are. Another delightful video. It's always great to spend time with you. Enjoyed the tour of that part of Catalina. I'm a San Diego native -- now living in TN, however -- and I've never been there. If/when I get back to So Cal, I'll have to make it a priority. Good to see your wife, and nice that you got to make that trip. Looks like fun and very relaxing. Continued good health and happiness!
To the uninitiated, any combination of fruit juices and rum becomes a Mai Tai. The problem, you see, is that a Mai Tai is something very very specific. Please see Trader Vic’s Bartenders Guide for the origin story and the recipe. Or, a quick RU-vid search will set you on the path to enlightenment. Once a proper Mai Tai has passed your lips, a random concoction of leftover fridge juices will never again suffice. Cheers! Thanks for the great videos!
