America's Breadbasket: Midwest? California?

Dear Friends, 

You know how great it is to be back, doing normal things after a little trip. That’s how I felt today. But Tuesday and Wednesday were also special to me, not only because of the way we three high school friends just sat down at a restaurant in Monterey and carried on conversations begun in the Bishop Hartley High School cafeteria, but also because I am finally feeling “normal” driving around California. Until now, I was afraid to drive freely across mountains and along the coast. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s the way I was. So it was a relief to feel comfortable driving through the Delta region to Monterey this week.

I loved seeing the aqueduct that carries water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers to the farms and also to LA. Water is such a powerful issue here. And there it was, just a straight, flat stream. I also loved seeing the fields where all the fruits and vegetables come from. As an Ohioan, I always considered the Midwest America’s breadbasket, but now I know it’s really California’s Central Valley. I loved driving through Watsonville and Gilroy. I took the truck route so as not to miss them. They are small towns with a heavily Spanish/Mexican flavor.

And then I bought some jam at this stand.

Love,

k

Hills across CA 152 from the farm stand

 

California 152 farm stand