The Slough
May 2nd, 2006“We’re going to Elkhorn Slough,” I announced to the girls.
They stared at me.
“What’s a slough?”
To answer their question, I immediately turned to Merriam-Webster.
1 a : a place of deep mud or mire b (1) : SWAMP (2) : an inlet on a river; also : BACKWATER (3) : a creek in a marsh or tide flat. 2 : a state of moral degradation or spiritual dejection
“Hmmm,” I said. “I’m pretty sure it’s definition one.”
Yes, it was definition number one. Elkhorn Slough is the largest tidal salt marsh in California, except the San Francisco Bay. Located along the Monterey Bay coastline, Elkhorn Slough provides a home to many plants, animals and over 340 species of birds.
That sounds pretty impressive but what we found at Elkhorn Slough was even more impressive. From wildflowers in abundance to crabs, the slough was a fun walk for both adults and children. The hills rolled a little but just when the girls might have been getting tired, we would spot another type of wildlife and they would be all excited again. It was a wonderful bit of fun on our way to Monterey.
