Our time at Monterey went by way too fast. We camped as I had mentioned before right at the Monterey Fairgrounds where the famous festival was held, back in 1967. For those who may not know about the festival, it was the first major outdoor rock festival held in the USA. It was three days of music never to be repeated as the list of performers was so amazing. Here is a link to what Wikipedia has to offer about Monterey Festival.
Image stolen from the web, Monterey Pop Festival 1967, Janis Joplin - I’m out there somewhere.
The same stage today, this is where it happened!
So with that in mind, I had the great pleasure to get permission to get into the area where it all happened 54 years ago. Ray, the keeper of the RV park left the gate open for me and I was able to get right up on stage. That was just too cool for words.
The view from the stage.
OK, back to present day. Carol and I had a fairly leisurely morning around the campground. We made a good breakfast and walked Harper and by about 10 AM we fetched an Uber and were riding down to Cannery Row, the famous sardine factories of long ago that are now trendy little shops and restaurants. The shops are filled with t-shirts and mugs with sea otters on them, and hand made items mixed with Monterey souvenirs made in China.
Down on Cannery Row
It was a flurry of activity and a kaleidoscope of culture clash. We had fun. We found a great restaurant on the water’s edge and had lunch. I had fish and chips, Carol had Calamari and chips - Harper had both…
Calamari and chips on the waterfront.
From Cannery Row we walked over to Fishermans Wharf, viewing sea lions and historic sights along the way. Fishermans Wharf makes Cannery Row look down right tame. It was a bustle of shops and cafes and restaurants with large crowds coming and going, we had a ball. And we also found ice cream which just hit the spot perfectly.
Ice cream for everyone!
By the end of the afternoon we were spent and found ourselves in another Uber heading back to the fairgrounds. Peace and quiet followed. I lost a couple of hands of cribbage and won one..oh well. We had a light supper, still feeling the effects of a large lunch.
On Fishermans Wharf, Monterey.
Back in the RV park, I met the guy in the camper next to ours, an officer in the US Navy. He was attending The Naval Postgraduate School here in Monterey and had just graduated. We swapped a lot of Navy and sea stories, he has been in the Navy for twenty years, and still seemed like a kid, He was taking his family (wife and two kids) to Yellowstone National Park. We wish him well and thank him for his service.
Carol and Harper and I turned in early as tomorrow comes early and will be a busy day.
Below is a gallery of images from the day in Monterey, click any image for a larger view.
