Steinbeck's Cannery Row Mythology: A Primer by William George Paul & willipaul.studio

Cannery Row (trail) is an experience, story and mythos generator, complete with an interpretive trail, novel and thriving business scene.

Here the public can enjoy the history of the Row through Steinbeck's novel and historic building and spaces. As the famous author relates in Cannery Row, 'Nature is God.' And the ocean's sustainable bounty is the local salvation. Steinbeck is the initiator, a key component in the new mythology.

His 32 chapters are the basis of the mythic load: 32 stories about Lee Chong and Doc – and the rest of the characters. Both are Hero's but there is a community mythology here, too. Available to visitors and residents at any moment; at each hike down the Row.

The interpretive signs offer each visitor the opportunity to create their own stories and real-time experience. Lessons, teachings and values can follow.

Cannery Row is a magic blend of history, science and alchemy – the very crust of modern mythology. We export the novel's themes to the waters of the Bay, in a back-in-forth, invent – experience – story building dynamic.

Sea science caresses our love for sea creatures. We are both complaining and praising the all-powerful Pacific Ocean as we experience the path from the wharf to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The latter serving up lessons about sustainability, habitat protection and animal lore.

The whole place, Canary Row, embodies a pioneer spirit – a vision local and integrated into the larger Central Coast ecosystem. This land-sea-weather combination is the foundation of the mythology of Steinbeck's genius.