| Date & Weather | 7/10/02 (Wed) | Check Out | 11:00 AM (PST) |
| Milage & Route | 350Miles (Monterey, CA - Los Angeles, CA) | Check In | - |
| Motel | - | ||
| Monterey - California's Oldest Capital When reading a travel guide of Monterey yesterday, I was surprised because it said  Monterey was the oldest capital of California. (In fact it used to the capital before entering U.S.A.) Although my objective to come there was to just see the Pacific Ocean, more important objective accidentally came. Since I had traced the history of California in Sacramento, Coloma, and San Francisco for the last three days, seeing the site of the oldest capital was the best for the  end of my journey. After all, I spent too much time there to go home before night. As to Monterey, I have to refer another thing. John Steinbeck who had a big influence on my journey, lived in Monterey County. Reading his "Travels with Charley" which my English teacher, one of the most enthusiastic teachers I've ever met, recommended me to read,  inspired me to leave L.A. one month before. In addition, to prepare for
this journey I visited "John Steinbeck Center" in Salinas just
three days before leaving LA. Moreover, another famous book, "Grapes
of Wrath" tells about the people from Oklahoma where I want to drive
next journey. Those people come to Monterey County through "Mother
Road, Route 66." Now, I am in my apartment facing "Route 66."
I finally come back to "Reality." |
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What I Learned Today - "Salinas Valley" is not only "Salada Bowl of the World" but also "Eden." "John Steinbeck used the Salinas Valley as a setting for East of Eden.
Having long specialized in the production o f lettuce, the Salinas Valley
has been proclaimed the "Salad Bowl of the World," and is the
principal agricultural region on California's Central Coast." (The Essential Visitor's Guide, "Best of Monterey Bay")
"Known as the "Salad Bowl of the World," the Salinas Valley
produces numerous fruits and vegetables including lettuce, broccoli, artichokes,
strawberries and carrots. (Official Monterey County Travel and Meeting
Planner) |
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