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 We’re bound for Monterey Bay today to see the famous Cannery Row and Aquarium. Stepping from the parking garage, we immediately noticed a change in atmosphere from other places we visited this week. Now a very popular tourist area, Monterey Bay was once a very seedy part of California. Due to the fishing industry and lack of refrigeration canning was the popular method of preserving food. Canning was very difficult and hard work, thus producing a ‘tough’ type of resident here in Monterey. Cannery Row is the very place that John Steinbeck wrote about. John has not been forgotten here!  There are several places that have been named for him here on Cannery Row. Because of the fishing industry, the Bay was being depleted of its natural inhabitants, such as Sea Otters and other marine life.
In an old Cannery building, now resides the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Originally started to preserve the Bay and marine life, it now houses marine life from all over the world. I believe our favorite was the Sea Otters! They are so adorable! Watching them swim and play, tossing balls and twirling in the water was very enjoyable. All of us learned a great deal about sea life.
We left and headed down the coastal scenic drive of Route 1. WOW is about all I can say about the views we were privileged to behold! We stopped at one area that was rocky but accessible. We parked and played for a little while. Climbing the rocks and looking for sea treasures in the shallow waters was a relaxing treat for all. Nancy tried to tell us that this beautiful spot was ‘nothing’ compared to what we were about to see. Of course, we could not fathom the beauty of the coast of California until we saw it for ourselves!  The road was awesome to drive! I felt like I was driving a roller coaster with the up and downs and twists and turns. Very cool! We came around one bend and I heard shrieks from the back of the van saying STOP! STOP! This was possible because of the many turn-offs on the road for people to admire the view and take photographs. I stopped and got out of the van, as I turned to see what they were all excited about, the site took my breath away! It so moved me that I was brought to tears. I have seen many beautiful places in nature in my life, but nothing measured up to this! We had determined to be back to the dorm at a certain time, but as we drove, we decided to go ahead to Big Sur. This experience was worth its weight in gold, no pun intended! Big Sur was just as spectacular! We turned around to head home and made a pit stop. There was a gas station there in the middle of the valley of Big Sur. Just out of curiosity, we checked the price of gas. A whopping $3.95 a gallon! Elsewhere, it is comparable to Connecticut.
Today’s experience was phenomenal! I wouldn’t trade this opportunity for anything! Thank you ASD and thank you to Anne and Nancy for your vote of confidence!!
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