Exploring Monterey, California

This morning Dan and I took a walk a long Fisherman's Wharf which is the main pier from which is our boat slip  There was a lot of activity going on that I would like to share.  Monterey is historically a big fishing area and I believe Sardines were a major industry.  Today there is still a very active fishing industry.  This is a view of Fishermans Wharf from a distance.  As we walked the dock this morning, it was much busier than looks in the picture.

There was a large tractor trailer and many red boxes filled with ice. The fishing boat Mineo Bros was unloading their catch from the night.

There were many red boxes filled with ice.   I clearly had no idea about what was happening.  The seagulls where wondering what the white stuff was too. We continued walking to the Monterey Fish Company building.

We went inside and saw a display of many types of fish to buy.  People and vehicles were coming and going - there was obviously an active business going on.

We meandered around the side of the building and discovered these old style wheel barrels.

The sea gulls were on high alert!

This is the back side of this long metal, rustic building.

As we walked back to the beginning of the pier, it became obvious that the ice was being used to cover the fish that came out of the conveyor belts off this very large fishing boat.  These workers were hustling and working hard as the fish came flying out. They clearly had a system and worked together as fluidly as a well practiced basketball team.   Later I learned that the catch was anchovies.  There is currently a two year restriction for catching sardines.  Mackerel and squid are also caught with this type of fishing boat at other times of the year.

Once the buckets were filled with fish and ice the fork lifts would carry the red buckets and put them in the tractor trailer.

When more buckets are needed, the fork lift driver just knocked over a pile.  He zoomed around that place so fast.  I was sure to stand far back as I watched in amazement.

Once the fish were emptied, the boat went into the harbor and the sea gulls got their turn for some catch.

The wharf had to be sprayed down and everything cleaned up.


This is another shot of the same boat. They are winding up the nets in this picture. I have learned these boats are called "purse seiners".   They use nets called seine to catch the fish.  Just by hanging around the dock in the morning, I have learned a lot more about the fishing industry here.

So that was enough about the fishing industry for today. There was so much action watching the fish operation, that we decided to enjoy a wonderful breakfast right on the pier called Lou Lous. I had yummy french toast!

I had an exploratory job to do.  Dan's SUP board has a cover on it as it rides on the foredeck of Malo.  It is already starting to deteriorate and rip from the sun.  We wanted to find some Sunbrella fabric that Dan could sew over the top of the bag.  Because his knees are bothering him, I suggested I take my bike and try to locate an upholstery shop a couple miles away.  I had a great ride - first to the Monterey Visitor Center and then I followed the coastal bike trail.    Here are some views along that route.

This was as far as I went and it is called "Lovers Point".

I still needed to find the upholstery shop, so it meant getting off the bike trail.  Then I discovered the Seven Gables Bed and Breakfast and knew I had to take a picture.  My Mom had once lived in a building called "The Gables".  My sister Carolyn also loved the book House of Seven Gables, so she would certainly like this house.

I found the shop, bought his only piece of Sunbrella fabric and back to the boat I went.  Now Dan will have some hand sewing to do.

Dan and I took a walk onto the old Fisherman's Wharf.  It seems while at one point it was active with a fishing industry, it was obviously now filled with shops and restaurants.  We enjoyed an ice cream cone there.

The next morning, I took another walk along the pier and got to observe a repeat of the same unloading of fish.  But I also noticed a new cruise ship was anchored in the bay and passengers were being transported to the shore in their smaller red boats.

The sea gulls keep a good watch on everything here.  They do not miss a beat.



















I checked into the harbor office and had a great chat with Laura.    She is very informative and friendly.  It is so nice to have friendly marina people.  What a great view she has from her second story office.

I needed to extend our stay, as the weather was not going to calm down enough for us until Saturday.
There is no sense in leaving a safe harbor when the winds are 35 knots or so in the ocean.

Dan wanted to start sewing the sunbrella fabric onto the top side of his SUP board.  He thought it would be good to either find a shaded grassy spot, or what we actually found was a picnic table in the shade.  Together we worked on tacking the fabric to the cover.  Additional sewing would need to be done back at the boat.  Here is the project.

After a few hours of sewing, I left for a bike ride along the bike trail.  It was a beautiful day and a nice ride to Seaside Beach which lies north of Monterey.

more to come later....