Much of Catalina Island is protected from development because it is owned by the Nature Conservancy.  With ample hiking, we walked uphill to the nature center to secure our hiking permits.  The nature center had some interesting displays about local flora and fauna, but we were itching to get moving before it got too hot.  We were off on the Hermit Gulch hike which takes us up to a ridge where we can see the other side of the island.  It did start to get warm and there is virtually no shade on the trail.  The views at the top were enjoyable and we spotted some of the unique plants, although to me, they just looked like plants.

The hike has an added advantage in that the downward trip ends at the back entrance to the Wrigley Memorial, thereby skipping out on the entrance fee.  We explored the memorial to someone who had a lot of impact on developing and preserving the island.   Our empty stomachs motivated us to quickly walk through the native plant garden and catch the trolley back in to town so we could get lunch.

Since we had our unlimited tour package, we reserved a trip up to the “airport” (it is in fact an airport, but pretty rural).  Our tour group had only six people and a rather goofy driver.  He decided we should take the Hummer rather than the bus.  His goofiness was apparent in his numerous pun jokes he told and his giggling way too often.  Still, he knew his stuff about the island.  We were able to see the Wrigley mansion, the buffalo that inhabit the island (after being brought in for a movie), and the airport. 

After dinner, we went on a flying fish tour.  This was really fun and unique.  We board a motorboat with tens of other people.  It departs at dusk and the boat has a couple big searchlights on either side.  Once in the open water, they shine the light out into the water and you can see flying fish.  They really are airborne, sometimes for several seconds.  You can also watch the seals and birds trying to hunt them for a tasty dinner.  It was impossible to get a photo given the speed and lighting conditions, but was very fun to watch and a great way to end our vacation,

Photos from today:

http://sanjoseabrams.com/photos/SoCalJuly2012/Day%2010%20-%20Catalina%20Island/index.html