Kernville

A Saturday Ride to Kernville, CAThe air was crisp this morning, there was even some dew on the windshield of our pick up.  Autumn is definitely here.  Enjoying the laziness of the day, we weren't in a hurry to get to work on the task of pulling everything together for the Sunday recording of this week's podcast.  We decided that we must first clear our minds of the litter of the prior week and what better way to do it than to go for a ride.  Kernville, CA has always been one of my favorite destinations for a leisurely day's ride or a weekend getaway.  Its quiet nature and intimate Kern River access makes it an excellent prescription for body and soul.  So it was decided that we would pay the small town a visit for lunch and a breath of fresh mountain air.   The route we took is indicated on the map below.  Riding pillion has its advantages, and knowing exactly what road we're on at a given time is not always on my mind.  Thus, a look at the map is a great mind refresher.  We started in Bakersfield, CA and headed north on Granite Road which begins just north east of the Meadows Field Airport.  The history, alone, of that area could probably be an article in itself, which I plan to write one of these days.  Aside from that, the first leg of the journey gently winds its way through foothills covered in dry grass and littered with granite outcroppings.  Oak Trees gradually increase in number as we climb towards the southern part of the Sequoia National Forest.  Soon Pine Trees, then Redwoods, outnumber the Oaks and we find ourselves in a forest of tall Sequoias and Pines.  The air is cooler and I'm glad I remembered to include the liner in my jacket this morning.  I had debated taking it as the day was supposed to turn warm, of course things are different under the cover of the tall conifers.  This route is full of twisties and sweepers.  Thankfully, the roads are kept clear of most debris so Beemerman can sport ride to his heart's content.    As I sit back and enjoy the ride I look up at the incredibly blue sky and the treetops reaching up to touch the sun's rays that are cascading down onto the forest below.  (And people ask, "how can you ride those things?!")  Ah, to be part of this forest and this moment in time.  We continue following our winding path as it shares with us incredible views of the surrounding hills, splashed with the yellow and orange colors of fall.

As we descend from the forested haven of tall trees and pine scented air,  the terrain once again changes to the familiar oaks and scrub,of the high desert, with patches of pines mixed in.  We round a bend in the road and capture the shimmer of Lake Isabella.  It's at its lowest level these days, with little rain to speak of all summer long.  Still, it shines like an oasis in this granite and scrub dominated region.  The grade increases and the twisties tighten as we weave our way through the little mountain community of Wofford Heights.  It's good he got his sport-riding yah-yah's out earlier as these twisties curl through residential neighborhoods with people stopping and making turns, etc.   I wanted to include a representative picture of this town, but it was hard to capture it as the housing and businesses are scattered among the peaks and valleys of the hillside.  Approaching the intersection of SR155 and Burlando Road we are ever closer to the lake and the view of the neighboring town of Lake Isabella.   Burlando Road is a wide open highway that seems quite roomy after spending considerable time on a 2-lane mountain road.  I can see the relief in Beemerman's posture as he relaxes from the controlled ride through Wofford Heights.  A stretch and roll of his shoulders and we're off again, it's a good thing we're almost to Kernville, my stomach is beginning to growl.  We roll around a wide sweeper and suddenly realize the quiet town of Kernville is not so quiet today.  Cars and motorcycles abound and a sign indicates the reason for all the commotion.  Ahh, yes!  This is the weekend they have their car show and rodeo!  Well, maybe a quiet afternoon isn't exactly in the cards for us for today after all.  No problem.  We spot the familiar sign of the popular restaurant, "Cheryl's " and know a good meal is not far away.  After backing in and parking next a couple of Harley's, we briefly debate whether to take our helmets in with us.   Looking around, it's obvious that everyone is on the honor system here-helmets abound on the sea of bikes parked near the eatery.  Grabbing our laptop and notebooks, yes they go everywhere with us, we walk inside.  Like an old friend, the place hasn't changed since the last time we visited and the employees are just as friendly.  We wait briefly to be seated and then are ushered to a corner booth with lots of room to put down our stuff and relax.   MMmmm...eggs and bacon for Beemerman, a hula burger for me, add a couple of diet sodas and we'll be good for a long while.  We leave the place with stomachs full and feeling contented.  All of a sudden we hear someone calling, "Cam!".  Looking behind us in search of the face to go with the voice, we spot several members of the Bakersfield BMW Club dining at one of the outside tables of the establishment we had just left.  They came up for the car show and invite us to join them in wandering around admiring the polished classic cars that line the main street of Kernville.  We chat while they finish their lunch and then head for the cars.  I'm not one for ogling cars, unless I'm in the market to purchase one, so I entertain myself with people watching and a conversation about gear with the one female member of the club who had come, with husband in tow.   Beemerman busily takes lots of pictures of the cars, some of which are below, and enjoys hanging with the guys for a little while.  Since we hadn't made plans as to what route to take home, we decide to join the Beemer Club in their trek back to Bakersfield via Highway 178, which winds through the Kern River Canyon.  Initially, this route is all wide slab and maybe a sweeper or two, but it soon turns into a tight 2 lane ride through a steep canyon with a 90 degree rock face on one side and drop to the river below on the other.   Twisties abound here, but occasionally there is debris from the rocky sides that collects in the road so care must be taken.  We've ridden this route many times so we know it well, to the point that it has become almost routine.  It's a fun jaunt back to town and is made even better by being in the company of friends and fellow BMW enthusiasts.  It was a great way to wrap up a very enjoyable riding day.