DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2017/2018
26
T
he lyrics of the 1957 golden oldie by
the Four Preps played on in my head
as we sped across open waters on
board the Catalina Express ferry toward the
port of Avalon on Catalina Island, California.
Once we had settled into our comfortable
seats in the Commodore Lounge, a server
came to take our order from the bar. Our
tickets in the Commodore Lounge entitled
us to preferred boarding privileges and a
complimentary beverage. Within minutes,
our mimosas appeared along with a salty
snack. All we had to do was sit back and
enjoy the view from our expansive window
seats for the hour-long trip.
Covering 194.2 square kilometres,
Catalina Island is home to 4,800 residents,
about 4,000 of whom live in Avalon on the
east coast with the remaining 800 living in
the interior and in Two Harbors on the west
end. Island residents may own their homes
or units, but not the land. The Catalina
Island Company owns and leases all real
estate (including boat moorings); operates
sightseeing tours; owns and operates a
campground and a few hotels; runs the only
gas station in Avalon; and manages a plan-
ning department and corporate offices that
keep all its operations going on just 12 per
cent of the land.
The remaining 88 per cent of the island
is governed by the Catalina Island Conser-
vancy, established in 1972 by the Wrigley
and Offield families. Its mandate is to main-
tain a balance of conservation, education
and recreation, which includes ensuring
150 American bison, descendants of the 14
brought in for the motion picture, The
BY DONNA S. VIEIRA
"TWENTY-SIX MILES ACROSS THE SEA
SANTA CATALINA IS A-WAITIN' FOR ME
SANTA CATALINA, THE ISLAND OF ROMANCE
ROMANCE, ROMANCE, ROMANCE . . ."
Hollywood's
MAGIC ISLE