Petra,

When I was a child, and then into my teens, my father, divorced from my mother, had weekend visitation with me and my brother. He owned the Samarang, a L-36 sailboat that he docked in Newport Beach. I cannot tell you how many weekends we spent in Catalina. Too many to count. Almost every weekend when the weather was good. When it was bad, we stayed close to the bay.

On one trip, my father was ill, as in stomach flu. I was 12 and sailed that boat from Avalon to our dock all by myself. I was pretty dang proud of my sailing and navigational ability at such a young age, but our father had taught us well.

Did you know that Catalina, at the time, was owned by Charles Wrigley, of Wrigley gum fame? We often went exploring on horseback, and often dropped anchor at the isthmus. I am as familiar with that island as I am of our house. How I miss it now that my father is pushing 91 and is unable to sail.

We sometimes, with my stepfather, took the big boat to the island, where he and my mother ended up at the Chi Chi club, totally off limits to us during the time that the topless bathing suit was in style. I can only imagine. I was very tall at the time 5' 10" and remember not being able to get into the theater at 12 because they thought I was older than 12. Pissed me off.

The flying fish boat was a favorite, as was the glass bottom boat. I always tried to get my father to sail to San Clemente Island, but for some reason, he refused. I think there was a Naval base there and he was reluctant to intrude. Very fond memories.

Canie, did you know your "censor" would not accept the word "da*n," but had no problem with "pissed?" Why can't we say the D word? It's not all that offensive.

Cathryn