Weekly Recap
Day 1 Los Angeles
We head out of LA and our first stop is Blackwells Corners in Lost Hills CA.
Cutout James Dean doesn't look happy. On Sept. 30, 1955, this was the last place he was seen alive. But on a cheerier note, 1955 gas was about 25 cents a gallon! Unlike the $3.49 US a gallon we paid.
Blackwells Corner is actually at the intersection of Hwy 33 and Hwy 46. The old store was torn down 6/18/08 to make room for the new store, diner, and gas station.
There's a diner inside.
Migrant works in the fields.
It started to rain.
Click here for some interesting signs.
The Salinas Valley is one of the major valleys and most productive agricultural regions in California. Located within Monterey County, it is west of the San Joaquin Valley and south of San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley—Silicon Valley. The Salinas Valley is also famously mentioned in John Steinbeck's novels. More about him later.
Promoters call the Salinas Valley "the Salad Bowl of the World" for the production of lettuce, broccoli, peppers and numerous other crops such as strwberries, tomatoes and spinach. The climate and long growing season are also ideal for the flower industry and grape vineyards planted by world-famous vintners.
Due to the intensity of local agriculture, the area has earned itself the nickname "America's Salad Bowl."
Many nuts are also grown here.
The tanks were unexpected, until I read the sign!
ReplyDeleteI wonder in a hundred years if anyone will remember James Dean.
...James Dean was bigger than life.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat trip. Loving the James Dean sign and the inside of that Diner.
ReplyDeleteShame about the weather, Jackie, but at least you were alive to enjoy it, unlike James Dean. I always did want a look at Monterey. :) Many thanks for the link up.
ReplyDeleteIf you're ever in the Salinas/Monterey area again, and have the time, you might consider the county roads between Salinas and Carmel Valley. It's a windy, but beautiful backroad. I live in the county east of Salinas. Reading your post has me wanting to wander. :-)
ReplyDeleteYeah, also here where I live - can't remember such a rainy Easter ever (from 3 o'clock on) in California! Had to laugh about the car in the diner! Have fun in San Francisco! Don't know your plans, but if you go North via Sacramento give us a call 949- 929-9054 (cell phone - message, no text, if you can't reach us immediately) - it takes us one and a half hour to get there. But if you have another plan we understand:):)
ReplyDeleteA short direction - If you come from San Francisco, take the freeway 80 towards Sacramento.
The 80 freeway turns into the freeway 50. Go on freeway 50 towards Lake Tahoe. Exit Watt avenue and go North.
There is a creperie (a nice one and healthy food) called Daniela on 3535 Fair Oaks Blvd, crossing with Watts. It's in a section with other stores. There's open till Sun till 3, Mon till 2, Rest of the week till 8pm)
Anyway - thank you for sharing with All Seasons, and have fun going to your next destination:)
Sad cutout of James Dean. Loved the diner! Salinas looks like such an interesting area.
ReplyDeleteLove that car in the diner! What a lovely trip you had. Thanks for taking us along.
ReplyDeleteWhen you mentioned Salinas and Monterey, i at once recall John Steinbeck and his stories woven in these lands. I love his works, now i recall Cannery Row!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting series of scenes. Love the old car in the diner.
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