Catalina Island beckons in the distance.
Southern California’s island jewel is visi-
ble from farther away than on many days.
The haze seems thinner than normal,
timid, not really robust in its mission to
obscure the horizon. The water has a
slight roll to it, but no real chop. Even
the sea life is elusive. No whales have
breached or even spouted, and only a
few dolphins have broken the surface,
and they were more interested in filling
their belly than entertaining us. It’s a
Wednesday, so perhaps the conditions
and creatures are feeling the midweek
ennui that affects so many people
trapped at their desk.SEAMAGAZINE.COM MAY 2017 19Mini-Cruise
Just because it only
lasts several hours
doesn’t mean a daytripto Catalina Island isn’t a
cruise unto itself.
By Mike Werling and
Stephanie Shibata