Cannery Row in 5 Pictures

I love those concise, well-done displays that tell the story of the area and a lot of history.  The other found one on the pier outside of the Monterey Aquarium in Monterey, CA.

Hopefully you can click on the picture to enlarge it and read the finer details if you want to.

I find myself taking pictures of the sign and informational items so I don't forget a name or in this case, to go back and re-read the information.

I have been curious about Cannery Row since I first heard of it.  I didn't find out until later, after high school, that it was more than the title of John Steinbeck's novels.   But, what was it?  Is there such a thing as a cannery row apart from THE Cannery Row?  Apparently not.  This is the only reference to one I have heard of.

In fact, the area of Monterey known as Cannery Row was actually a stretch of Oceanview Avenue that had its name changed to "Cannery Row" in January 1958 to honor John Steinbeck and the notoriety he brought it.

Then the actual essence of Cannery Row in its peak time --it was all about the sardines.  Millions of pounds that were harvested and shipped out. I think I tried sardines once.  Might have been when I was still in my mid-twenties.  Afterwards, I remember thinking, "Why did I do that!? That was awful!"  Sometimes I mis-remember though and may have to try them again.  We'll see.  But I know they smell quite a bit.

Can you imagine being in Cannery Row during its Hey Day? The action activity of the tens upon tens  of boats (purse seiners) going out each day. And later, whistles going off to alert the factory workers, the catch is coming in -- get ready!  And then the hours upon hours sorting fish and packing and canning them.  All the routine, monotonous? work day after day for years.

And folks glad to have a job.  In spite of the nasty conditions.  And the smell.  For miles and miles.  Cannery Row then was probably not anything remotely like the tourist spot it is today.  It was probably gross and smelly and polluted industrial park-like area where hard working people were getting the job done…

So that's how I remember a bit of Cannery Row - in 5 pictures!

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...

Monterey Aquarium

One of the great things about our stay in Monterey was being able to see the Monterey Bay Aquarium with some free passes from the campground.  We were running out of time and decided the best remaining day would be on Saturday.

Oops. It was crowded.  Not "I can't move around here it is so crowded",  more like, "Wow - there a lot of people here.  Kind of tricky to get some pictures of the fish."

Monterey Aquarium is one of the leading tourist attractions in Monterey Bay.  It was founded in 1984 and is located in one of the old sardine cannery's in the famous Cannery Row section of Monterey.  And right on the beach.

It has thousands of plants and animals/fish on display and is visited by over 1.8 million visitors each year.  And we could see why.  It is very well done and very interesting.  In some ways it reminded us of the Oregon State University Mark Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport Oregon.    Monterey Bay Aquarium is significantly larger, and has a lot more to see, but both were worth the time and effort to visit.

The building itself is quite extraordinary.  Look at this tank.  It is three sided.  You can see people through the corner on the other side.

And it was huge.

And it was a bit mesmerizing just watching the fish.

The rays were keeping to themselves

And the penguins were entertaining the crowded.  By just being penguins.

And the sardines and mackerel go round and round...

And they were in a hurry!

The jellyfish on the other hand,  weren't.  They just floated around.

And we liked the hammer head shark and the turtles

We felt like this is a place we'd like to spend more time in.  There was so much to see, we barely covered it.  And the better time to go back would be during the middle of the week.  We were glad we got to go, and will look forward to putting it on the "Go see again" list.

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles.

We Love Pacific Grove

Pacific Grove is next door to Monterey CA.  It is like the rest of the Monterey Bay ~ scenic!

We first came upon it two weeks ago when Kirk and Susan came for a visit.   We were headed for 17 mile drive but first took a drive through Pacific Grove along the water.
What a fantastic drive along the coast.

We just took our time.  Front row seat on a bench.  Watching the waves crash into the rocks.  Again and again.

Another day Pam and I took an evening drive along the coast at Pacific Grove.

As you might suspect, we were not the only ones enjoying the evening.

And we took in the sunset from another vantage point.

And yesterday I took a 13 mile bike ride from our campground, downtown through Monterey, Cannery Row and to Pacific Grove.

It definitely is one of my most favorite rides!

And yesterday Pam and I went back to to Pacific Grove to play the 'poor man's Pebble Beach' golf course.  What a fun time that was!

We got to play with Emily and Janine, friends who both raised families here and are each separately involved in the community as Executive Directors of two non-profits - a food bank and the local chapter of Meals on Wheels.

Speaking of meals, I got a picture (above) of Pam eating her sandwich. Here is one of a sea gull eating mine.

The front nine of the course was not that picturesque.  The back nine was a different story.

We enjoyed our time on the course.

And at Pacific Grove.  

Thanks for joining us today on the Roadrunner Chronicles!  Until next time...