Laura Roberts's Blog, page 3

Catalina from A to Z: The Vanishing American

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

The Vanishing American is a rather key story in Catalina Island’s history. First published in the Ladies Home Journal and later turned into a book, author Zane Grey is a bit of a local legend. His book was ultimately made into a silent movie of the same name, which released in 1926, and some of the filming took place on Catalina Island. Apparently the film crew brought over a herd of buffalo for many of the western scenes, and then left them on the island after filming wrapped. The buffalo that currently roam the island are descendants of that imported herd.

As for the film itself, according to the blog Silents Are Golden, “‘The Vanishing American’ is truly one of the classics of the silent era and one that any silent movie fan should see.” The only trouble is, it’s next to impossible to actually find a copy of this film. It’s currently unavailable from any streaming services, so an intrepid viewer would have to purchase a DVD copy if they were interested in viewing it.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

THE VANISHING AMERICAN starring Richard Dix, Lois Wilson, Noah Beery, Bert Woodruff and Malcolm McGregor. Directed by George B. Seitz. The screen’s mighty tribute to the Native American, first lord of the western continent. Richard Dix is Nophaie, the hero and protector of his tribe, who fight a never ending battle for their pride and their land against the corrupt agents of the US government. Set against the gorgeous background of the chasms and gorges of northern Arizona, THE VANISHING AMERICAN is a sweeping western saga boasting a cast of 10,000 Native Americans and 100 principals. A great monument of the silent era, this film is a true epic of the American west.

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Catalina from A to Z: Unusual underwater sightings

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

As mentioned in my glass-bottom boat and mermaids posts, certain types of mythical creatures have allegedly been sighted off the coast of Catalina, and continue to appear in various forms throughout the island’s architecture.

But what about more unusual underwater life? What about… sea monsters?

According to Catalina A to Z:

“In the depths between Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, there supposedly swims a sea monster that dozens of people throughout the twentieth century have seen. The often-cited lengthy report on the always briefly glimpsed leviathan was printed in the June 1934 edition of Esquire under the byline of Ralph Bandini. ‘A great barrel shaped Thing,’ Bandini wrote, ‘tapering toward the top and surmounted by a reptilian head strangely resembling those of the huge, prehistoric creatures whose reproductions stand in various museums.'”

Catalina A to Z, p. 122

Bandini was apparently a member of Avalon’s Tuna Club, as well as a respected sport fisherman and author of Veiled Horizon: Stories of Big Game Fish of the Sea, so his description seems to have been taken rather seriously.

In addition to Bandini’s account, sightings of the sea monster were reported by others in 1920, 1927 and 1941. But is there truly a monster in the waters, or is there a more scientific explanation of what these fishermen saw?

Closing out the “Sea Monster Legend” entry, the book’s authors note that in October 2013 a dead eighteen-foot oarfish was found near Toyon Bay, which may fit the description of the monster. As they conclude, “Deepwater oarfish typically surface when they are sick or dying and have fueled tales of sea serpents worldwide.” (p. 123)

Another oarfish (this one measuring fifteen feet) washed ashore in June 2015, which seems to confirm the idea that dead or dying oarfish are seen relatively frequently in the waters and could be mistaken for monsters.

I find it interesting that a sea monster might be reported in the waters surrounding the island, but that this creature never garnered a name or nickname. Given the island’s interest in sea life, like the sea lion Old Ben (who has his own commemorative statue), I’d think that any new and exciting species might prompt legend-spinners to come up with a name for the beast. If Loch Ness can claim “Nessie,” and Lake Tahoe claims “Tessie,” then perhaps the Catalina monster is… “Cessie”? Short for Cecilia? (By the way, it’s also interesting to me that everyone assumes sea monsters are female, whereas land monsters like Bigfoot are male. But I guess that’s a discussion for another day!)

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Catalina from A to Z: Tempting Two Harbors

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Two Harbors is a small town located on the opposite side of Catalina Island from Avalon. Known more for camping, glamping and hiking into the interior of the island, Two Harbors is definitely the more rustic side of the island. There are four campgrounds, for those who like to rough it, and those who like it a little bit more civilized can opt for renting either a camping cabin or the Craftsman-style Banning House Lodge.

One of the unique points about Two Harbors is that visitors can, indeed, see two different harbors from the inlet where the town is situated: Isthmus Cove and Catalina Harbor (here’s a link to a map to situate you).

The Wife for a Weekend connection

Although most of the action takes place in Avalon, Diego and Vivian have some brushes with the wild side over in Two Harbors, attempting to explore the Isthmus Movie Colony. This side of the island is where you can find wild buffalo, and let’s just say things get a little hairy!

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Catalina from A to Z: Sentimental Santa Catalina

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

While researching Catalina Island, I’ve discovered a few items that I wish were still in existence or operation, but which have been destroyed by fires or other natural disasters. One of these sentimental spots is the Santa Catalina Island Incline Railway.

Photo by C. C. Pierce via Public Domain

According to Catalina A to Z, one of the funiculars used to run up to Buena Vista Point, while another ran down the opposite side of the hill to Pebbly Beach. There was also a teahouse that provided refreshments at the top of the slope. The tram was sometimes referred to as “Angel’s Flight,” echoing the name of a famous Los Angeles city tram. (p. 122)

Love Catalina says that “a cement platform and steel cables are still visible at Buena Vista Point,” for those interested in excavating a bit of Catalina history. The rest was lost in the 1915 Avalon fire. (You can also see more photos of the site, then and now, at ERHA – the Electric Railway Historical Association of Southern California.)

Modern-day sights to see

Although you won’t be able to ride a funicular on Catalina these days, you can check out two celestially named sites instead: Star Bay and Starlight Beach.

Star Bay is a small beach located approximately 1.5 miles east of Land’s End, on the south (windward) side of the island’s west end.Starlight Beach is the official beginning and endpoint of the Trans-Catalina Trail, located on the north (leeward) side of the island’s west end. Map via IslapediaEager to learn more about Catalina?

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Catalina from A to Z: Reveling in romance

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Romance, romance, romance, romance! It’s the whole point of going through Catalina Island from A to Z. So let’s dig a little deeper into the romantic vibes the island evokes.

I’m writing Wife for a Weekend, a romance set on the island, featuring two celebrities (Diego Raphael and Vivian Violette) that accidentally get married on the set of their latest film. They’re not exactly thrilled about the circumstances (a long weekend where the asshole director who married them takes off on vacation, leaving them in the lurch), but then again… they’re on Catalina Island! How can they NOT ultimately fall in love?

As I attempt to throw these two strangers together and get them to truly fall for one another, three of Catalina’s locations struck me as some of the most romantic spots on the island:

B&Bs: Whether you opt for the Avalon, Mt. Ada or The Old Turner Inn in Avalon, or Banning House in Two Harbors, Catalina’s bed and breakfast options are cozy spots that are ripe for romance. In addition to the comfy rooms, complimentary breakfast and attentive staff, the B&B setup encourages guests to mingle… and maybe even get more cozy than visitors staying at a regular hotel?Dining for two: Craving steak? Seafood? Mexican? Try one of Avalon’s most romantic dining options, according to Catalina Food Tours: Bluewater Avalon, El Galleon, Steve’s Steakhouse and Seafood, or Maggie’s Blue Rose. Dining in Avalon is definitely different than dodging the paparazzi in LA, and Diego decides to wine-and-dine his new wife in an attempt to get to know her better. Which restaurant will he choose?City Hall: For a quick elopement, City Hall is the most romantic governmental building on the island! Located at 410 Avalon Cyn Road, you’ll find Diego and Vivian there bright and early at 8 AM on Tuesday morning eager to annul their accidental on-set marriage… but will they actually go through with it, or will something change their minds?Eager to learn more about Catalina or Wife for a Weekend?

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Catalina from A to Z: Questionable quirks

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Catalina Island has a few quirky features that seem notable to me as a novelist interested in using this particular island as the setting for my book.

Golf carts galore

The main way that folks get around on the island (if they need something motorized) isn’t by car but by golf cart. The island considers them “autoettes,” since they’re both smaller and more environmentally friendly than a traditional car. Visitors can rent golf carts for the day, and some of the rental properties on the island include them with your stay. (The waiting list for residents who really really REALLY want to import their cars to the island? 20 years!)

Zero traffic lights

Another interesting feature of life on Catalina Island is the complete lack of traffic lights. Related to the “no cars” quirk, since most traffic is moving much more slowly than a speeding car, there’s also no need to post traffic lights at the intersections – which are, themselves, few and far between. Most folks meander around Avalon on foot, or hop on a bike or into a golf cart if they need to get somewhere faster. You can also hire a cab (rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft don’t exist on the island, due to the lack of private cars) or grab the trolley to get where you need to go. Bright lights, big city it’s not!

A post office that doesn’t deliver

A post office that doesn’t deliver? What’s next? A Casino with no gambling?!

The Catalina Island post office doesn’t do door-to-door delivery (again, related to the “no cars” rule), but instead all residents have their own post office box (P.O. box), and head down to the post office at 118 Metropole Street to pick up their packages.

Casino with no gambling

As mentioned, the Catalina Casino uses the word “casino” in the sense of the Italian word for “gathering place,” so there’s no gambling to be found on the island – not even in the Casino!

And a hospital that doesn’t deliver, either!

Another oddity on this small island is that doctors from the local hospital actively encourage expectant mothers NOT to deliver their babies on Catalina. According to The Catalina Islander, “Catalina Island Medical Center staff and providers strongly encourage local pregnant women to spend their final four weeks of pregnancy on the mainland.”

According to the same article, doctors at the hospital haven’t delivered any babies in decades, and since the island is so remote, it’s considered an unnecessary danger for women to attempt delivery there. Instead, pregnant Catalina Islanders typically give birth in LA hospitals, and return home once their babies have been born off-island.

I guess, technically, that means anyone who says they were “born and raised” on Catalina isn’t quite telling the truth – but that’s just another one of Catalina’s charming quirks!

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Catalina from A to Z: Pretty Pleasure Pier

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Catalina Island’s bright green Pleasure Pier is one of the first things you’ll see when approaching the island. Along with the Casino, the pier is one of the notable structures in Avalon. In fact, it’s been painted this striking shade of emerald since 1919, when designers Dorothy and Otis Shepard were put in charge of the island’s image.

As with any beach town, the pier is one of Avalon’s main activity hubs. The 407-foot-long pier is home to a variety of pleasures, including:

A visitor information centerBoat rentals & tours (including parasailing and scuba diving)Fishing gearFood & drinkSouvenirs

Whether you’re visiting for the day or a longer stay, a trip to the Pleasure Pier is just one of Catalina Island’s many ways to pass the time.

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Catalina from A to Z: Outstanding Mt. Orizaba

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Mount Orizaba is the highest point on Catalina Island, at an elevation of 2,097 feet (639 meters).

As SummitPost notes, “Given its proximity to 14 million people, and the ease of ascent, one might expect crowds […] However, excluding the resident FAA summit beacon and occasional weekend crowds, Orizaba is remarkably isolated.”

An isolated peak? What better place for a chance at romance!

From the summit of Orizaba, there are excellent views of the island and surrounding ocean, along with potential to spot San Clemente Island, the Palos Verdes Peninsula (mainland California, part of LA County), the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains, and Santiago Peak (part of Orange County’s Saddleback formation) on a clear day.

To get to the top of the island and brag about your achievement, you can either start your trek straight from the ferry or take a bus from Island Plaza to the trailhead.

As SummitPost describes the climb: “The first mile is a moderate to steep 350-foot climb on a fire road. From Black Jack Junction, hike 1.3 miles continuing past the turnoffs for Black Jack Campground and Cottonwood–Black Jack Trail. One you pass these turnoffs, you will find a trail that heads left. Take this trail and continue 1.1 miles to Mount Orizaba. Black Jack Mountain stands to the south, crowned with a radio tower.”

Don’t forget to get yourself a permit before you begin your hike! The Catalina Island Conservancy issues them, free of charge, to visitors for day-hiking, along with a trail map. You can nab the permit at Conservancy House (125 Claressa Ave.), the Airport-in-the-Sky, in the Two Harbors Visitor Information Center, or even online.

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Catalina from A to Z: Nighttime activities on the island

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Catalina Island may be small, but it’s still got all of the basic amenities you’ll need – including a healthy nightlife! Whether you’re looking for live music, dive bars, or unique cocktails, you can find it all in Avalon’s three main hot spots.

Chi Chi Club: Dancing, billiards, live bands and a VIP lounge for private parties make this 21+ nightclub your best bet for a wild evening out. Luau Larry’s : With a great view of the bay plus food, Tiki drinks and dancing, Larry’s is another nighttime favorite on the island. Try the Wiki Wacker, one of their signature cocktails. Marlin Club : The oldest bar in town, and therefore a must-visit destination. Inside you’ll find gorgeous underseas murals plus a pool table, foosball, pinball, darts and video games to help pass the time.

Looking for more ideas about what to do after dark? Check out this list from Catalina Island Vacation Rentals!

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Catalina from A to Z: Marvelous mermaids

Hello, and welcome to the Blogging A to Z Challenge! This year my theme is Catalina from A to Z, featuring posts about the Southern California island of Catalina. With a focus on the island’s romantic side, I’ll be sharing info about where to go, what to see and do, plus a few sneak peeks from my novel in progress, Wife For A Weekend, which is set on the island!

Mermaids! What could be more romantic than spotting a mythological creature who’s half fish, half naked, and 100% awesome?

If you’re artist John Gabriel Beckman, who designed the Casino’s mermaid mural (pictured below), the answer is obvious. What could compare to this aquatic beauty?

Catalina Casino’s mermaid mural by John Gabriel Beckman

If you’re a mermaid lover, Catalina Island is a great place to spot these elusive creatures. In addition to the Casino’s mural maiden, you can also find them in Hollywood productions shot on the island like The Sea Maiden (1913) and Sirens of the Sea (1917), not to mention The Glass Bottom Boat (1966). The Catalina Island Museum also harbors some mermaid memorabilia of the Esther Williams variety, thanks to her swimming skills and 1947 win in the Ironing Board Derby – swimming 44 miles between Catalina and Long Beach.

Still thirsty for more? Check out these mermaid-friendly locations:

Abe’s Liquor Store: the store’s sign includes a mermaid hoisting a cocktail while riding a flying fishLa Casa Sirena: two island rental properties with ocean/mermaid themed decorProject Mermaids: offers mermaid-lovers a chance to transform themselves into a mermaid for a day with a private Catalina Island photo shootCatalina Mermaid: hire this professional mermaid to perform at your next event!Eager to learn more about Catalina?

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