Catalina Island, Summers 1991 & 1993

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Geo: 33.3437, -118.322

I worked for Catalina Island Marine Institute or CIMI summers 1991 and 1993 as a camp counselor for children attending a sea camp ~ kayak, snorkeling, SCUBA, science class, etc. It was my first snorkeling experience, my first time living on an island, and my first wide-eye view of lots of West Coast people. I learned a lot, saw a lot, and realized a lot. It was absolutely an awesome experience and I luved it!!!

Best Memories:
*Surfing the backside of Catalina Island at Two Harbors aka "Little Hawaii"
*Playing color olympics with the kids ~ they named their teams the "Blue Balls" and the "White Seaman" and... well... they were teenagers! ;~)
*The feeling of snorkeling in the ocean for the first time!
*The feeling of SCUBA for the first time!
*Nightswimming and snorkeling over the lobsters by the pier
*Trips to Santa Barbara Island and diving with the sea lions
*The smell of Long Beach, CA
*Making great friends who were attending much more prestigious secondary educations than myself ~ Brown, USC, BU, NYU, HSU, etc... Getting to know them and making some great friends was an education in itself for this small town Missouri girl. LUVED IT!

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