A memoir depicting 32 years living and working as Harbormaster on Catalina Island, California.
This fascinating story of one man's life serving as Harbormaster on Catalina Island includes his reflections on his involvement in the death of actress Natalie Wood. While Natalie Wood's death is one captivating incident related in this work, his memoir also reveals the unique and fascinating lifestyle of serving as the Harbormaster, raising two sons on a rugged and remote island, and dozens of tales detailing harrowing rescues, storms, and unusual encounters with Mother Nature, both at sea and on land.
His memoir now has 51 primarily 5-Star ratings on Amazon Books.
Excerpt
BETWEEN TWO HARBORS, REFLECTIONS OF A OF A CATALINA ISLAND HARBORMASTER
Introduction
Catalina Island. The name itself conjures images of paradise. Located, as the song goes, a mere ‘twenty-six miles across the sea’, Santa Catalina Island has a magical allure that captures the imagination of the masses.
In the spring of 1978, my future wife Maureen and I packed all our worldly possessions onto a boat and headed across the channel to Catalina, a life-altering move.
Moving from the quaint little beach town of Hermosa Beach, California—where I was a self-employed carpenter and part-time commercial fisherman and Maureen worked for a BMW car dealership in Santa Monica—to the shores of Catalina Island (the Island) turned out to be much more than we envisioned.
Thirty-two rather amazing years, two children, and a lifetime of wonderful, challenging and interesting experiences later we left the Island. Along the way there were a multitude of memorable times, personal and professional events, and a lifetime of unique stories to tell.
There were harrowing storms, exciting rescues, a few tragedies (including the death of actress Natalie Wood), dozens of encounters on the ocean and in nature, and many unique experiences that can occur only on an island where, even though it is only an hour from metropolitan Los Angeles, it is a world away from mainland life.
Some of these recollections and reflections will undoubtedly be told with a certain amount of ‘literary license’ since the vast majority of the details will be conjured-up from the recesses of my memories and perceptions. If errors with timelines, references, or any personal information occur, please forgive the blunders. And for the many individuals that were a part of it all please forgive any omission or oversight of ‘monumental significance’ that occurred but are not included, in describing the life of a Catalina Island Harbormaster.
Professional Reviews
Life IS good.
ByTrish Dickersonon September 21, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This story reminds us that life is most enjoyed in its simplest form. Island living means being without malls ,and traffic and grocery stores readily available. It means dinner often comes from the sea, that neighbors are family and adventure often lies around the corner! I turned each page anxious to read about this family, and the residents of Two Harbors.This book will have you out shopping for a boat and planning your trip across the sea.
Extremely fascinating and enjoyable account of life of Doug Oudin as Harbormaster at Catalina Island.
ByKindle Customeron November 27, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
Doug Oudin shares many stories about his 30+ years on Catalina, the Natalie Wood back story had never been told. Great read!
The Romance of the Island of Romance
ByJo Swerlingon September 1, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase
This is a book which should appeal to any reader who has an ounce of romance in his or her soul. For those of us who are old Catalina hands, it's a must-read. Doug Oudin has been there, done that, and has written about it beautifully...I haven't enjoyed a non-fiction book like this one in a long time...maybe never.
Rosetta was born in 1909 as the youngest of ten children. The family had more laughter than money and neighbors would knock on their door to ask, "Can we come in and laugh, too?"
Join me as we travel together on the road called "Aging." I will be sharing my personal experiences with you and offer ideas on how we can better navigate the complex byways of our older years. Grief, healing, generations, ancestors, and more.
