Las Catalinas, Day 2: New Year’s Eve at Margaritaville, Midnight Fireworks on the Beach

A view of the top floor, where we stayed.

The top balcony, where everyone tends to gather after dinner to hang out and watch the moon and stars.

View down to the beach.

Bob and Liz, hanging out.

In the evening, we went out to Margaritaville (yes of Jimmy Buffett fame), and had a dinner at the hotel.

We were seated near the pool, and I was utterly convinced someone was going to fall in before the night was out. Fortunately (or sadly), this did not end up happening.

Lots and lots of food.

After dinner, several of us wandered out to the beach.

A lot of locals (and others not from the dinner) gathered on the beach to watch fireworks.

Lauren and her friend Laura wandered to find their own spot. And as Liz and I were walking together, somehow… Brandon and Natalie spotted us, and called us over. We sat with them a while and shared their good vantage point for the show.

This was by far the closest I’d ever been to fireworks of this size, going off.

As the fireworks kicked off, I found myself just as mesmerizied at the views of all the people on the beach.

I found looking at the beach just as compelling as looking up.

Given how dark it was, it was hard to tell just how many people were around us.

Happy New Year everyone!