Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 1 DAY
A Catalina Recap and the Chicago Cubs old Spring Training grounds
It's Monday! It's a new week! And although it was a busy weekend with no sleep-ins and staying up fairly late as everyone around me fell into their slumber I was awake bright and early (well it was early, but not yet bright out). In fact when I looked at the time I had to tell myself "Go back to sleep Tanya. It's still early Tanya. Close your eyes Tanya." I knew that I have a very early day tomorrow, and that I stayed up pretty late doing online shopping.
It's not that I hate sleep, it's just that once I'm awake I like doing things. I seem to enjoy doing "things" more than the average person and I also tend to have more energy than the average person. Or perhaps its not energy, and its ambition?!
Whatever it is - I've got it!
Now let me tell you all about our day-trip to Catalina Island...
And what a fantastic day we had!
We left from the Newport Harbor and headed out to Avalon.
It's not that I hate sleep, it's just that once I'm awake I like doing things. I seem to enjoy doing "things" more than the average person and I also tend to have more energy than the average person. Or perhaps its not energy, and its ambition?!
Whatever it is - I've got it!
Now let me tell you all about our day-trip to Catalina Island...
And what a fantastic day we had!
We left from the Newport Harbor and headed out to Avalon.
Balboa Island (c)travelincousins.com
Newport Harbor (c)travelincousins.com
Sleepy Cosette (c)travelincousins.com
Arriving to Avalon (c)travelincousins.com
Cosette was a bit of a sleepyhead and even napped on the boat ride over, but once we were there she seemed ready for wide awake and ready for fun!
Yay! We are here! (c)travelincousins.com
You gotta take a picture with the sign! (c)travelincousins.com
After strolling into town I had spotted a gift shop that I had browsed through in the past and all of a sudden I got very excited...This particular gift shop was also a retailer for the 2016 World Series Champions The Chicago Cubs! I had to go in! We NEEDED souvenirs!!!
Now you might wonder - what's the relation?
Read this excerpt from "A Step Back in Time - Chicago Cubs on Catalina Island"
In 1916, William Wrigley bought a share of Chicago's National League, and over the next five years steadily increased his stake. In 1921, as the team set up the field and clubhouse in Avalon Canyon, although never officially named, Avalon townspeople began calling the field Wrigley Field. During this time, the Cubs home field, back in Chicago, was known as Weeghman Park. The Cubs trained in Avalon from 1921 to 1951, with the exception of the war years of 1942-1945. Relocating the Cubs spring training to Catalina Island brought national attention to Catalina Island, which Wrigley purchased in 1919. Weeghman Park in Chicago was re-named “Cubs Park,” and eventually, in 1926, the Chicago ballpark become known as Wrigley Field. This makes Avalon the first site of a Wrigley Field.
How freakin exciting...RIGHT?! Well we were excited! And each found a lovely souvenir. The kids choosing baseball caps that they proudly wore throughout the rest of the day.
Now you might wonder - what's the relation?
Read this excerpt from "A Step Back in Time - Chicago Cubs on Catalina Island"
In 1916, William Wrigley bought a share of Chicago's National League, and over the next five years steadily increased his stake. In 1921, as the team set up the field and clubhouse in Avalon Canyon, although never officially named, Avalon townspeople began calling the field Wrigley Field. During this time, the Cubs home field, back in Chicago, was known as Weeghman Park. The Cubs trained in Avalon from 1921 to 1951, with the exception of the war years of 1942-1945. Relocating the Cubs spring training to Catalina Island brought national attention to Catalina Island, which Wrigley purchased in 1919. Weeghman Park in Chicago was re-named “Cubs Park,” and eventually, in 1926, the Chicago ballpark become known as Wrigley Field. This makes Avalon the first site of a Wrigley Field.
How freakin exciting...RIGHT?! Well we were excited! And each found a lovely souvenir. The kids choosing baseball caps that they proudly wore throughout the rest of the day.
Shopping for Cubbies merchandise (c)travelincousins.com
 In Avalon (c)travelincousins.com |  Fountain in Avalon (c)travelincousins.com |
Avalon (c)travelincousins.com
Happy kids (c)travelincousin.com
We then wandered and shopped some more before heading over to our favorite coffee house - Catalina Coffee and Cookie, where Dave and I opted for yummy Cafe Lattes and the kids instead chose to try Dippin Dots for the first time ever from the next door shop (FYI some Dippin Dots happen to be vegan).
Metropole Marketplace (c)travelincousins.com
Rainbow Ice on her tongue (c)travelincousins.com
Rainbow Ice on his tongue (c)travelincousins.com
They didn't care for them btw, they said it reminded them of styrofoam. Eww!
Then continuing our stroll through Avalon along the waters edge, around to the Casino and back.
Then continuing our stroll through Avalon along the waters edge, around to the Casino and back.
Via Casino (c)travelincousins.com
The Tuna Club and the Casino (c)travelincousins.com
Look at this interesting half moth half Monarch looking butterfly (c)travelincousins.com
Having a great day (c)travelincousins.com
It was then my intention to go and find the location of the old "Wrigley Field" and the old Cubs Spring Training Clubhouse.
Cosette had been begging for us to rent a Golf Cart and it was at this point that we did..
According to the Catalina Chamber of Commerce:
Avalon, Catalina Island’s main town, is only one square mile in size and everything is within easy walking distance. In fact walking is the preferred mode of transportation.
Avalon is the only city in California authorized by the state legislature to regulate the number and size of vehicles allowed to drive on city streets.
Currently, there is a 14 year waiting list to own a car on the island.
To enjoy the hills above the town, do what the locals do and drive a golf cart.
And so off we went!
Cosette had been begging for us to rent a Golf Cart and it was at this point that we did..
According to the Catalina Chamber of Commerce:
Avalon, Catalina Island’s main town, is only one square mile in size and everything is within easy walking distance. In fact walking is the preferred mode of transportation.
Avalon is the only city in California authorized by the state legislature to regulate the number and size of vehicles allowed to drive on city streets.
Currently, there is a 14 year waiting list to own a car on the island.
To enjoy the hills above the town, do what the locals do and drive a golf cart.
And so off we went!
A picture stop along our route (c)travelincousins.com
Great view (c)travelincousins.com
Awww - a Deer family!!! (c)travelincousins.com
Having the golf cart afforded us being able to do a loop around the hills behind Avalon and see some of the most scenic view points.
However I was most excited about what came next...seeing the Chicago Cubs Clubhouse!!!
However I was most excited about what came next...seeing the Chicago Cubs Clubhouse!!!
In the old clubhouse (c)travelincousins.com
The old locker room (c)travelincousins.com
Historic photos (c)travelincousins.com
Eventually the tour came to a wrap and we made our way back to the docks to catch our boat back to the mainland.
It's time to go (c)travelincousins.com
The kids were exhausted (as were many other fellow passengers), and so they napped.
Once home we ate our traditional Italian Pasta Sunday night dinner and they scurried off to go to the movies.
The movie of the night was Dr. Strange. We all enjoyed it and I thought it was GREAT!
Today I've got load of stuff to do, we got choir rehearsal and a board meeting later tonight and I need to finish getting ready for the trip - which by the way has been changed up a bit...
Dominic has informed us yesterday that he decided not to come! He feels that he needs a break and so it is going to be a Mother and Daughter trip to the Southwest!
I've opted to adjust the schedule slightly and luckily got credit for the Dominic's Jeep Tour.
Stay tuned for more and as the week develops.
And by the way, as I'm sure you have noticed that Elisa is not going to be joining us today, it appears that my poor little cousins are out sick. Get well soon girlies!
See ya'll tomorrow,
-T
The movie of the night was Dr. Strange. We all enjoyed it and I thought it was GREAT!
Today I've got load of stuff to do, we got choir rehearsal and a board meeting later tonight and I need to finish getting ready for the trip - which by the way has been changed up a bit...
Dominic has informed us yesterday that he decided not to come! He feels that he needs a break and so it is going to be a Mother and Daughter trip to the Southwest!
I've opted to adjust the schedule slightly and luckily got credit for the Dominic's Jeep Tour.
Stay tuned for more and as the week develops.
And by the way, as I'm sure you have noticed that Elisa is not going to be joining us today, it appears that my poor little cousins are out sick. Get well soon girlies!
See ya'll tomorrow,
-T
