I spent the last week in Carmel Valley, California. It was the first time I saw a wild turkey. What an amazing-looking animal. No wonder Ben Franklin wanted to make it out national bird. Great choice — scrappy, colorful, smart. So much better than the monochrome Bald Eagle.
While I was up there, I read this excellent story about Stuart Thornton’s trip through the towns of South Monterey County. These towns used to be quite bustling until the 101 Freeway was built.
Pulling into a dirt lot beside the store, the building looks like a gas station and store from the ‘50s. Though the gas pumps are no longer there, faded paint on the side of the white building advertises groceries, cold drinks and beer. As I walk in, a man carrying a handful of boxes walks up from a storage room in the back. “Are you Marcel,” I ask.
“Yea, why,” he asks brusquely.
“I’m writing an article about South County for the Monterey County Weekly,” I say as I start to perspire.
“I’m too busy,” he says as I glance around the deserted store. “Besides, advertisement will draw people to see what’s going on.”
I think that perhaps getting people to stop by his store would not be such a bad thing. In San Ardo, people need money to survive, right?
Though he refuses to answer any of my questions, Miranda does allow me to look at his impressive collection of caps sitting on wooden shelves that circle the top part of his store. While I take photos, he stands behind me in awkward silence. I think about trying to strike up a conversation again, but I realize it would be as futile as trying to pump water from a dry well.
