Gemini Rising

Happy 4th, Golf Carts & USC Marching Band

Fun on Catalina Island

This year for the 4th of July we made the decision to go back to Avalon, a city on Catalina Island and I as soon as we did, the vibes were happy.

I'll to make a long story short - I want to say around 2000, Brent and I went to Avalon for the 4th and loved it. Everything was chill. There's no rushing around. It's all laid back. We stayed out by the golf course and watched the fireworks before the casino. It was the BEST 4th of July ever so we wanted to go back.



It took a bit, but we finally went back with baby Andrew I want to say around 2005. We had a blast. In 2006, Brent took Andy and the inlaws as I was pregnant with Joey and had to work the 4th of July. I believe we went back 2007-2012 but every year kept getting bigger and longer and the in-laws started coming along which put pressure on the vibes. 2012 the vibes exploded and Brent said we were never going back. And we didn't until now.

The boat ride was smooth with a stop at 2 Harbors. To my surprise, it was not as packed as it had been in previous years.

It's just me, Brent and Joey as Andy is on the island but on Emerald Bay doing his Boy Scout thing. He visited us when we arrived so that was nice and we got a pic with him.

The first day we settled into our rented condo in Hamilton Cove. We like renting there because it's a very homey feeling. Mind you, prices have increased about 200-300 dollars since the aughts but we saved for it with a vacation fund. There's only 1 Vons now but it's a mega Vons (for Avalon) and it's still busy. We got some food stuffs for b'fast mainly and then had a nice dinner at the Buffalo Nickel.

Yesterday, we walked around Avalon proper looking for Catalina shirts and souvenirs. I got my step count in which I was happy about. A few more people milling around. The USC Marching band gave an hour concert in Wigley Square which I loved! I love live music.

I became a USC fan because of the marching band. I went to a USC/UCLA football game in 1999 when Carson Palmer was the QB for USC at the Rose bowl. I wore USC colors unknowingly, but neither college really spoke to me. When Brent and I went back with Andy in 2005 or was it 2004? and saw the Golf cart parade that's what made me a USC fan. The marching band was at the beginning of the parade and was immediately impressed. I just loved the music, the marching, the fun, etc. A USC fan was born that day. I started following their football games and realized that I could afford USC college football tickets. I usually bought single games or a mini package. I got season tickets in 2018 and I just bought season tickets for the 2025 season. Mind you, prices have gone up on the games, too, so I saved so I could afford it. That and I hit on the daily 3 and 4 a couple of times during the springtime! Thank goodness for Lotto!

More thoughts later...
For Now - Happy 4th of July!