The Literature and Land of John Steinbeck Project Week—led by Upper School English teacher Lori Kloehn and college counselor Jennifer Taylor—connected with the places relating to Steinbeck’s 1945 novel “Cannery Row.” We took a deep dive into Steinbeck’s life and the book we had read before P-Week.

Upon arriving on Monday, we roamed and raced around Salinas, California, Steinbeck’s hometown, for a scavenger hunt. We went to the John Steinbeck Library, Steinbeck’s high school, Salinas High School, and even left a memorial at his grave.

On Tuesday, we went kayaking and had a discussion of “Cannery Row” with a special guest, Steinbeck expert Susan Shillinglaw. The next day also began with Dr. Shillinglaw at the Pacific Biological Lab, referred to in the book as the Western Biological Lab. In the afternoon, we hiked through intermittent rain, and the evening entailed a performance contest of each group’s favorite scene from “Cannery Row.”

Thursday’s activities included visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium, biking around the city, and tidepooling.

Senior Jeremiah Wheatley said, “Experiencing the places from ‘Cannery Row’ in real life made me realize how important the culture and community was in that town.”