Kern River CG, Hart Park, Bakersfield, Ca

Monday: Lou and I took a walk along the Valley View nature Trail then on up to the ridge. Along the ridge of the bluffs there is a trail of sorts but most of the way it's like walking on a balance beam with an extremely steep drop off on either side of about 100-150 feet. I kind of enjoyed the walk but the 50-60 mph wind gusts made it more difficult. Lou began having second thoughts so we slide/hiked down the side where there wasn't a shear drop before reaching the bottom on the back side of the ridge opposite the campground. we looked around on that side then went back to camp via more civilized trail. The wind never let up but was less strong at the bottom than at the top.Today was 10 degrees cooler than yesterday less than 70 degrees all morning but it was fully overcast with a threat of rain possible.


We left the Visitor Center parking lot about 2pm headed toward Bakersfield. It was quite a windy trip from Red Rock Canyon to Bakersfield. We headed North on highway 395 then West on highway 178 by Lake Isabella through the Kern Canyon along side the Kern River which had a heavy flow. We looked at a couple of potential campgrounds on the way but decided to continue on. We stopped and took a walk beside the river and found more flowers.

We didn't find any place nice to camp along the way so we stopped at Hart Park's Kern River campground East of Bakersfield. there are lots of trees in a nicely groomed campground. Our site is right next to the river. there are very few other campers, maybe three others possibly because the campground is so far off the normal routes. The better for our visit.


Tuesday: This morning there were another group of firemen were setting up in the camp across from us. Yesterday one of th camps was occupied by a group of firemen. We were told they were here to practice water rescues in the river. The river is quite swift and deceptively dangerous. With all these firemen around, Lou wants to stay here another day?

After a walk around the park by the river, we packed to roll. We pulled out a little after 9am. The sign at the campground entrance says that a ranger will drop by to give a permit. No ranger stopped by yesterday nor this morning. We stopped and asked a group of people working at a building on the way out and they said there was no ranger on duty today. W left with out paying. The same thing happened the last time I stayed here a coupl of years ago. Seems like they should set up a steel ranger to receive payments.

we went over to the Ranch Market on south H street for breakfast. Kenie and I shared a melinessa torta while Lou had a breakfast burrito. We topped it all with som flan. we did a little shopping then Lou an Kenzie departed for the thrift shops while i fueled the RV and got some LPG before heading over to Helen's house.

At 7PM we went over to Noriega's Hotel for a Basque dinner. It was great, in the old fashion way. Everything perfect.

Today was cooler, in the mid to high 80's. Tomorrow it's going to be hot per the forecast. We'll probably be leaving for the coast soon. We're so weak.

Wednesday: Lou and Kenzie toured a couple of more thrift shops to complete their route. Otherwise just visiting.

Dinner was some of Helen's son Jay's Chili Verde with rice and beans.