THE EARLY DAYS OF THE GONDOLA GETAWAY When I first started the Gondola Getaway, I was still in my youth of 25 years old. I was starting a business but was still surfing and traveling to Mexico as often as possible. We would head to Baja and camp at K38, Read more…
This was our 72nd year of the Naples Improvement association organizing an incredible boat parade here in our own Alamitos Bay and the Canals of Naples Islands. I have personally participated in about 50 of them, 36 of them in a Gondola. It was EPIC once again! We certainly have Read more…
A little History of two locally world famous boats, As I write this I am looking over the bay at the perfect October “Adult” Summer. Air temp Still in the 80’s, Water temp still in the 70’s and the waterways wide open! I could literally sail my “Double Sabot” Read more…
Naples, California — Naples History-Circa 1906 shows Hotel Napoli, a beach resort where guests could arrive by the electric “red car” and stay at the beach some 35 miles from Los Angeles. The image shows a boater in the bay and two Pacific Electric Red Trolley Cars. Read more…
SEASON FOR REFLECTION. A calm night shows the Trees in the Bay at their best. TREES ON THE BAY They aren’t really trees, but they float and they light up, and they’ve expanded far beyond Alamitos Bay. The Trees in the Bay have become a uniquely Long Beach holiday tradition. Read more…
TWO BOATS, A FEW ISLANDS AND A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY! The Gondola In the very early 1900’s, Naples Islands were developed as a Venetian inspired island community replete with canals, bridges, Italian street names and of course Gondolas! Our neighborhood boasted a Venetian experience right here in Southern California Read more…
INSIDE THE MIND OF A GONDOLIER OF NAPLES ISLAND, The Gondoliers of Venezia, Italia are the true ambassadors of their City. They are not only trained to expertly row a Gondola through the twisting, winding, crowded canals of Venezia but they are trained to know a thousand years of history, Read more…
The first thing you “don’t” notice is the spelling. At first glance, most folks think it is Carolina, like the North or South State in America. Well it’s not, in fact it’s far from it. In fact, its origin is exactly 6,154 miles from where I sit as I pen Read more…
Well, after 10 years it is now official. Actually it has been official since last May upon the signing of the documents at the Mayors office on the Grand Canal in Venezia. I have been traveling to Venezia now for over 35 years to learn the art of building and Read more…
Well here we go! Just kinda kick’n the tires for now. Learning a bit on how to present and download things. These pictures tell a story of bringing a Gondola from Venezia to Alamitos bay in Long Beach. The video is me rowing the “Erla Farnea” just after purchase in Read more…