Catalina Island, California

Hello Avalon, I know you’re out there somewhere! 

As I ate my breakfast outside under cover and out of the rain there was a very, very, brief break in the clouds. But it didn’t last long. 

Pork adobo day

By the time I headed up to Skywalkers the weather had deteriorated fast. 

We’re right there!

Tender operations were suspended for a while and the Captain had to reposition the ship because of the high winds. Lots of shimmying and shaking and ship listing to the side during the process. Getting everyone off the ship who wanted to go took forever. By the time tickets were no longer required there were only a couple hours before the last tender would be headed back to the ship. 

So I stayed put. There would be no exploring Avalon and Catalina Island and no pool time for me today. 

We visited Catalina on a sunny day in 2016

Instead of braving the rain and wind and uncertainty of tendering I listened to the Top 40 with my ear buds in up in Skywalkers. Had phone calls from my daughter (4 in total - the girl likes to talk!) and one from my husband. I booked more cruises. And watched the clouds and rain. 

It eventually turned quite lovely but by then it was getting close to the time water shuttles were returning for the day. 

I watched the tenders coming and going from my balcony. 

Dinner came not long after and I used my casino comp to eat at the Crown Grill. 

I had the shrimp cocktail, skipped the soup/salad course, chose the filet mignon and lobster tail (forgot to take a pic before it was removed from the shell) and had the apple rhubarb dessert. 

And their bread? Yowza. 

Typically Ed and I avoid the Crown Grill because we very much dislike the atmosphere. Loud, rushed, and noisy. And the food isn’t always the greatest. But tonight the food was outstanding, the restaurant was quiet, and the server attentive. I had two things going for me - I knew the server from when I was on this ship before, and the restaurant was surprisingly empty. 

I cannot eat one bite more.

I was able to take my leftover steak and bread back to my cabin. It’s going to make for a tasty breakfast. Side note: The music played in the restaurant was Christmas music. What??? 

I returned “home” just in time to catch a sliver of the sunset.

Tomorrow we’re in San Diego, where the weather is supposed to be much better than today. If I feel adventurous enough I have some big plans for the day, so stay tuned. See you then!