Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Latest Field Trip

Last Friday I drove a group of 7th grade boys on the last CJSF field trip of the year...


No, it wasn't quite that bad. Although I did have to put the child window locks on because "J" was hanging his head and arms out of the window like a dog. And hooting like an owl.

Yes, they were a little wild when they got out of the car after a 3 hour drive.

We went to the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, CA. If you are a reader, a Steinbeck fan, or interested in California History, I highly recommend this museum. I don't know how many times I've driven through Salinas, but here's a reason to stop.

This is the entry to the museum. That's about 900 paper cranes up there.


I highly agree with this statement:


Only one child on the red pony at a time!



There was also a wing devoted to the agricultural history of the area. Did you know Marilyn Monroe was the Artichoke Queen in 1948?


We also had a walking tour around Old Town Salinas. The kids enjoyed the train area.





Sorry about the bad photo quality here...see that handle on the right? EVERY student got to pull that handle and set off the steam whistle. Can you say "LOUD?"



We visited the first mayor's house, built in 1868. Look how small and narrow the women's shoes were! My foot and 2 13-year-old girl feet are in there for scale.

This is Steinbeck's childhood home. It is open as a restaurant, run by volunteers. I believe the proceeds go to maintenance on the home and to local charities.



Then it was time for TCBY yogurt and the long drive home. On the way home, overloaded with sugar, "L" complained about his crazy little brother, "E" and "J" battled over use of "L"'s Nintendo, and even Ernest was wackier than usual.

8 comments:

Susan said...

My son works for the Boys & Girls Club in Seaside and has made that same field trip with "his" kids - better both of you than me!!

Jen on the Edge said...

Those paper cranes are amazing!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

What a great field trip.

I think the only thing my daughter did for CJSF was a trip to Magic Mountain--and they took busses.

jenn said...

Steinbeck has always been my favorite writer - I would have loved the chance to go on that field trip, 7th grade boys & all.

Your blog is so much fun - I added you to my blogroll today. :)

Tricia said...

I love the shoe photo.

Sounds like a fun trip.

barbra said...

Both Steinbeck locations look really lovely!

Barb Matijevich said...

Steinbeck may be my favorite American author of all time. I'm jealous of your museum(s)!

Pretty Things said...

Oh wow! Artichokes! When I was stationed in Monterey, I was captain of the drill team for our USAF unit and we marched in the Artichoke Festival. No Marilyn sighting, but one heck of a lot of corn dog and beer sightings.