Winter 2023

C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 3 149 Treasure Hunt: The Ride Explore an Imaginary World Just Beneath Cannery Row BY M I CHAE L CHAT F I E LD I MAGINE THAT A SECRET TUNNEL SYSTEM CONTAINING AN UNIMAGINABLY IMMENSE TROVE OF TREASURE IS LURKING JUST BENEATH C ANNERY R OW . T REASURE H UNT : T HE R IDE , A NEW C ANNERY R OW ATTRACTION , IS BUILT ON THE PREMISE THAT THE THOUSANDS OF VISITORS STROLLING THIS HISTORIC STREET EVERY DAY ARE ACTUALLY WALKING OVER THE BOOTY COLLECTED BY THE F RENCH /A RGENTINIAN PIRATE H IPPOLYTE B OUCHARD , WHEN HE SACKED THE SLEEPY OUTPOST OF M ONTEREY IN 1818. T HANKS TO THE CREATIVITY AND INGENUITY OF D ANIELS W OOD L AND (DWL), A P ASO R OBLES - BASED BUILDER OF THEME PARK - STYLE ATTRAC - TIONS , THE PUBLIC CAN TAKE PART IN THE FANTASY , ON A THRILLING TOUR THROUGH A PIRATE ' S UNDERGROUND LAIR . R ON D ANIELS FOUNDED DWL WITH HIS BROTHER J OHN IN 1999. W HILE IN HIGH SCHOOL , J OHN CARVED SMALL FACES , SELLING THEM TO FRIENDS . S OON , HE GOT HIS HANDS ON A CHAIN SAW AND FOUND HE WAS A NATURAL , POSSESSED WITH MAD CARVING SKILLS AND USED THEM TO CREATE WHIMSICAL TREE HOUSES . “W E TOOK ONE TO A TRADE SHOW IN LA,” R ON SAYS . “W E ONLY HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO GET US THROUGH TWO DAYS , BUT WE SOLD 17 HOUSES .” T HAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF DWL’ S FIRST ENDEAVOR , BUILDING LUXURIOUS TREE HOUSES FOR HIGH - END RESIDENCES .