Day 11: Highway 1
Good evening everyone! The Sleepys are back to tell you yet
another TWB tale. This morning found our heroes waking up bright and early on
the dewy cliffs of El Capitan State Beach. Those who had tarped themselves and
their things up were spared from the damp mess. After quickly cleaning up and
piling onto the vehicles, many were out like a light but not for long; the call
of Walmart stirred them from their slumber. Cooks went to work purchasing food
for everyone, while the McDonald’s inside received a new burst of business.
Once everyone had finished up (and Grant had finished showering in the bathroom
sink), it was back onto the vehicles. Everyone gently fell asleep for a gentle
ride to San Francisco…at least until they were violently woken once again. The
counselors insisted on everyone looking outside at the view now shining through
the windows. We were now on California’s famous Highway 1, known for its
winding coastal path that displays glittering ocean on the left, and soaring
mountains on the right. It goes without saying that our cameras’ storage cards
were a little bit fuller pretty soon. As we wound our way along the water, we
turned off into Ragged Point Inn, a nice little place tucked away in the trees
that offered a beautiful spot for pictures, where the waves crashed against
soaring cliffs. Colorful flowers filled the air with a sweet and gentle scent.
If we had amnesia, we might have mistaken this little slice of paradise for
Hawaii. We didn’t have long though, as a special stop waited for us further
down the road. We got to stop at a beautiful overlook at enjoy the views for a
few minutes before carrying on. We then made our way up the coast, taking in
more breathtaking views. An hour or two later, we rolled into Monterrey Bay and
the heart of literary legend. This town became infamous due to John Steinbeck’s
writings of the cannery industry there, and his influence was everywhere. The
area was renamed Cannery Row in his honor, and the courtyard where members gave
presentations and took photos is none other than Steinbeck Plaza. We were then
allowed to disperse and explore the unusual gift shops, while others (shoutout
to Ian Objio and Hunter Boik) went on a dinner date to try some fresh clam
chowder. Once we had our fill, we drove another two hours into San Fran, where
some close friends of the program opened their doors to us. Tonight we will be
sleeping in the comfort of a church, safe from bugs and dew.
Until tomorrow and with much love,
The Sleepys
