On the Lookout for Cool VW Vans:

Hiking and Camping trips on Catalina Island and along the Pacific Coast
 
 
 
One never knows what there is to see along the Pacific Coast Highway. This contraption housed at least two nueveau-Bohemians. One sat in the VW bus cock pit/command center with his feet up in the window as we took the picture.
Sitting in a tree in a park in San Francisco. I was a really nice day for a little hike/stroll.
This is the view from our campsite. We backed into a parking space just off of PCH and enjoyed dinner in front of the ocean with this spectacular scenery. We turned in early and all was well until an idiot turned up about 3:00 in the morning, high or drunk, raised hell, played music, and talked to himself for two hours. Even that didn’t spoil the site.
Sunset over the Pacific Ocean just North of Santa Cruz.
We collected some good VW pictures on this trip and this was a great one. That could be my slogan!
Little Harbor and Shark Harbor on Catalina Island as seen from a bluff at on the north side of Little Harbor. Click on the picture for a larger and more detailed view.
The absolute best VW bus that I have ever seen! The guy who owns it lives on the island and made the trailer himself out of a non-running bus and then painted both to match. He cut the front and rear caps at their seams and then welded the rear cap to the front one, leaving the frame in that area intact (except the addition of the tow bar assembly). The engine was removed and the front wheels and axle was replaced by the rear – non-turning axle. The job was so seamless that it looked factory done. The man and his VW are full time residents of the island and the VW never leaves. It is a shame something that unique is subjected to so much relentless sea salt.
   
This is a shot of the trailer all alone from the next day. The owner uses it for a camper/sleeper for his kids when they go to the beach or into the hills camping. Hold your curser over the picture for the front view of the trailer.
   
An American bison (the locals get tweaked if you call them buffalo) on the island. One of 300-400 animals kept on the island since the 1920’s.
   
Laurel just before an unintended seven mile hike that ended in sunburn, sore feet, and a promise of maps for future hikes.
   
Me just before the above mentioned hike. I am the pack mule in our relationship and I carried the water, food, cahir and provisions. I neglected to include the sunscreen, said we didn't need it when asked, and have paid for that mistake many times over since then…
   
Me just before dinner one night, standing on the little tuft of land between Little Harbor and Shark Harbor.
   
Laurel quietly reflecting (really – not a posed picture) on a pebbly beach. Very near this spot was the historic site of a village occupied by Indians before the Spanish came to the island.
   
My favorite spot on the entire island – Father Jack’s Bench. I found this bench on my first trip to the island and love watching the surf and the sunset from this perch. Hold the curser over the picture to see the plaque on the bench.
   
Laurel standing in a huge patch of fennel that was maybe eight feet tall. Fennel was the first of many plants that Laurel identified on the island. She has a knack for knowing the names of and uses for all sort of plants and flowers. It is a very endearing skill.
   

A great shot of a Catalina buffalo on a hill side with the Pacific Ocean in the back ground. This was taken as we were leaving Little Harbor.