26 Miles across the Sea

Today, with the Santana winds still gusting across our land and all haze and smog vanished, we knew that a drive to the coast, to Laguna Beach, would reward us with a sight we love--that magnificent island, Santa Catalina. The unexpected bonus was that we could also see San Clemente Island which is another 25 or so miles beyond Catalina.

Almost every summer since 1980 Mr. Fun and I have spent a week at family camp at Campus By the Sea on Catalina Island. We always request an open-air rustic cabin (the walls end about a foot before the ceiling/roof). There's no electricity, so flashlights are a must. The bunk-beds come with mattresses and we bring our sleeping bags.

In the good old days we'd awake each morning to the sound of our children sleeping. Nowadays we often wake to the light inhale exhale breathing of our grandchildren and their parents, as they all sleep soundly. In the pre-dawn darkness, the two of us dress quietly, gather our things, slip out the door, and hurry to the shoreline to watch the birthing of a new day. Sometimes we have been there for the birthing of a new month.

I was born and raised in southern California, but I was an adult before I ever stepped foot on Catalina's shore. We went that first summer to family camp because it was inexpensive and because it was at the ocean, our favorite place to be. Our museum of memories is now filled with Catalina moments and it is more than an island to us.

So on this 11th day of January, I thought you might also enjoy looking across those 26 miles of Pacific Ocean to see the after-glow the sun left behind Santa Catalina as that ball of fire made its way to the other side of the world.

From the West Coast of America, Good Night.
~~Rosie aka