Monterey and surrounding area

We spent a few nights in the Monterey area.  We had gone through the town of Salinas when we drove the coast road (Big Sur).  The name is familiar and as we thought about it, there were more associations.  The town of Salinas is on the Salinas River and this is a major agricultural area.  The lettuce workers organized in the area.  And Janis Joplin sang a song which mentions Salinas (extra credit to the reader who knows the song).  There were miles after miles of fields - vegetables and vinyards.

At the visitor's center we leaned that this valley produces about 80 percent of all the produce consumed in the US.   Pretty impressive statistic.  Also, John Steinbeck is a local celebrity - his novel Cannery Row was set in nearby Monterey and in the Grape of Wrath, the Joad family was headed to this valley (boy, that is really reaching back in my memory!).

We also drove through Castroville.  Although not as famous as its neighboring cities, it is known as the center of the artichoke world!

The town of Monterey has a number of attractions - the ocean, shopping, Cannery Row, and a well-known aquarium.  We visited the aquarium and enjoyed all the displays.  They have a huge display on jellyfish (of all things).  Lots of fascinating creatures.

They have an extenisve collection of sea horses (and relatives).

There is a marine sanctuary just off the coast of Monterey and it is known for its giant kelp plants and the whole ecosystem around them.  The Aquarium also had a display of the kelp forest.

They also have some orphaned sea otters.  We were able to see them have lunch.

We also experience some wild life on the streets of Monterey.

There is a large pier with a number of stores and restaurants.  We ate at an Italian place with a view of the harbor.  There was a large group of sea lions on a platform near the restaurant.

Later, when walking the pier, we saw sea otters in their "natural state."  They are in the picture as small black objects in the water.

There were lots of things to enjoy at Monterey.  Matthew made the most of everything!

Our RV park was in the town of Marina, just a little up the coast from Monterey.  We were close to huge sand dunes, part of a state park.

Okay, ready for the name of the Janis Joplin song that mentions Salinas?  "Me and Bobbie McGee," written by Kris Kristopherson, but she sang it best!