MONTEREY — It’s been 83 years since the famous duo of John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts took an expedition from Monterey to the Gulf of California that resulted in the book “The Log from the Sea of Cortez.” It’s been 70 years since the vessel they used, the Western Flyer, docked in Monterey. More than 200 people stopped by Saturday to witness the fishing boat’s return and get a chance to hop on board.
The Western Flyer Foundation hosted the homecoming event, showing off years of work restoring the boat. People crowded onto the California Dock at Old Fisherman’s Bay, trying to pick the best spot to see the boat as it arrived with family of the original crew, volunteers of the Western Flyer Foundation and community leaders and politicians.
“The phrase that keeps coming to mind is just how cool this is, it’s such a historic moment for us to be able to bring this homecoming celebration to the city of Monterey,” said Monterey Mayor Tyler Williamson. “I’m just so honored to be the mayor of this town and be here celebrating this with the community. There’s so much culture and arts here, and seeing today’s turnout shows how much it means to the community.”
People of all ages and backgrounds came to the ceremony, some even flew from out of state and outside the country.
Liz Heinecke traveled from Minneapolis to see the Western Flyer ceremony. She’s an author with a focus on women in science, and plans to write a historical fiction novel on Carol Steinbeck, John Steinbeck’s first wife.
“I’m trying to put her back on the boat, and write about her experience. She was out on trips collecting specimens too, and she was a big inspiration in his life,” Heinecke said.
She’s been researching and following the Western Flyer for years, and said she was speechless when she saw the finished product.
“I’ve been able to study all these different parts of the trip, and follow the reconstruction on this boat – and I’ve been able to see blueprints and pictures – but to actually get to see it was so exciting, I can’t even put it into words,” Heinecke said. “It’s almost emotional, to see something I’ve only pictured in my mind coming to life.”
Lauren Eason, an educator from Plaser County, was a Steinbeck scholar, studied his work in college and became a fan through academia. She also took a tour of Ed Ricketts’ lab on Cannery Row and was able to see his work up close and personal.
“I sought out classes that focused on his work, so I have somebody interpreting the work of Steinbeck and someone applying the work of Ricketts and how it interweaves and how nature and science is interwoven in the reading,” Eason said. “Seeing Doc Ricketts’ lab was very (impressive) because as a student we knew where it was but never could go inside. So it was really neat to be there and see the things that he used, and the specimens he collected.”
The Western Flyer Foundation hopes to inspire a new generation of readers and scientists who are also interested in the fishing boat’s story according to the Foundation.
Education Manager for the Western Flyer Foundation Rebecca Mostow, said she credits the high turnout to all the work the foundation workers and volunteers have put in.
“The restoration has been happening for such a long time and it’s such an inspiring story that it brings people in and catapults them into this exciting program,” Mostow said.
The next chapter for the Western Flyer will be scientists and college students taking tours on the boat for research and reflection exercises on the work of Steinbeck and Ricketts.
“Our education mission is all about connecting art and science, in addition to bringing students who might not have access to rich, experimental, hands-on education out to Monterey Bay in different ways,” said Mostow. “For post-secondary students, they will actually help with the science mission collecting long-term data.”
Denial of responsibility! My Droll is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
