Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Bike Tour in the USA (2007), Part 35


Friday, Sep. 21., 2007
Beautiful Sunrise in Monterey

Monterey?
Distance: 118:30 km, Time: 7:34:14 Std., Total:   1,154.30 km

   When I already woke up at 6:00 in the morning the sun was still sleeping. Not to wake up my roommates I took carefully my camera and locked the door very quietly.
   This early I wanted to check the Cannery Row, the renovated and closely built sardine cannery factories which are lined along the coastline. I wanted to visit the still active fisherman’s wharf and walk until the historical Custom House.
   Chinese fishermen came with their families on junks over the Pacific Ocean and established the fishing industry in Monterey during 1850s. Because the markets for fresh fish were far away they dried the fish in the same way as it was custom at home.
   With the opening of Booth Cannery and the Monterey Fishing & Canning Co., a Japanese-American joint venture, fresh fish could be processed on the spot and conserved in 1902. The demand especially after the American anticipation during the 1st World War (1916-1918) was very high and drew other companies into the area. Because of the rich fishing grounds and industry Monterey was called the “Sardine Capital of the world”.
   To stimulate the economy during the Great Depression (1929-1939) the U.S. government allowed the processing of sardines into fishmeal and fertilizers.
   Joining the 2nd World War (1941-1945) the demand and with it the fishing of sardines was increased to a new level. As a consequence of this overfishing died of lack of fish supply the whole fishing industry of Monterey within the next 5 years. Already in 1945   John Steinbeck immortalized his novel “Cannery Row” the different types of workers and made them famous over the borders of the USA.
   From the Hostel there are only a few steps, therefore I arrived at the 1927 built American Tin Cannery. Today the building, like all other former canneries, accommodates different kind of shops selling clothes, gifts, jewelers and delicatessen. The obligatory restaurants serving fresh seafood cannot be missed.
   Across the road beside the Recreation Trail is the 1984 opened Monterey Bay Aquarium (MBA), in which visitor can learn everything about the marine life. Per year 1.8 million visitors discover thousands of plants and animals represented by 623 named species. A high supply of fresh seawater directly from Monterey Bay guarantees the natural development. Unfortunately the doors were closed on this early morning; every adult should expect ticket prices of US$29.95/person (in 2007!)
   I passed the Monterey Plaza Hotel and only a few workers were busily cleaning up and preparing the place for the business of the day. In the yard I could discover a fountain with jumping dolphins over a wave and made a picture with the rising sun in the background.  
   As I walked I heard some seals barking. Maybe they searched for a breakfast or shared with their relatives the best hunting grounds (for sardines?). I don’t know… But as closer I came to the Fisherman’s Wharf as more of the seals I could actually see. They were either active in the water or were lazy lying on some rocks. 


   As the history of Montery is closely knitted with the fishing industry I absolutely wanted to see the Fisherman‘s Wharf. Everything is build on through water driven wooden stakes into the ground, on them were build the simple wooden houses and the gangplanks in between. The predominant fish and tourist shops were obviously closed and therefore a notable morning silence covered the whole scene. I walked until the end and stood there watching the bay. On the way I only met some elderly ladies talking their morning stroll. I stood at the edge of the water and let it all come in me.
   I discovered a statue with which the city honors the fishermen working so hard to build  the foundation the city. I think it’s a great gesture by which the rich and famous recognize the work of the people who actually created the wealth of Monterey with their bare hands!



(to be continued)

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