McKittrick neighborhoods & back streets

Someone here cares for their yard and have managed to create a bit of beauty in a harsh environment

I wonder what percentage of folks in the Valley drive pick-ups? This is not a criticism. Were it not for the poor mileage I would get one too!

Alleys everywhere have an universal down trodden appearance.

McKittrick and oil

Driving South and then West to find McKittrick takes one back to areas that are dry and barren. Bear in mind that argricultural areas are not more than 20 miles from here. In the far right hand corner you will see (through the haze of smog) telephone poles. Those poles in the the middle of what appears to be 'no where' are indications of oil activity out here the Central Valley.
The tiny town of McKittrick is home to the 2nd largest oil field in California. In 2007 the population was 190 and there are about 80 +/- homes. The town itself occupies about 2.6 square miles.

I took a photo that included the street sign "Reward" as that was once another small town mentioned in the book "Black Gold". Don't think Reward exists any longer. Perhaps the town folks work the oil fields here. The roads over the mountains to the west lead to the ocean - eventually.

My Mother's Day to Me and Thee

In honor of Mother's Day I'm posting a few last photos from last week's explore to this Blog. They represent two of the three of my favorite subjects: trees and horses.

I love trees. There is almost no vegetation let alone trees in the fenced spaced called 'my the back-yard'. So I relentlessly photograph images of trees. Sometimes the absence of trees at the rental house makes my heart ache. My computers slide shows are heavily loaded with photos all three of my "favorites": my delightful grown children, trees, and horses.
As for horses - I don't own or lease one. But I would be thrilled with either option. Wonderful animals. Instant stress relief just to groom one.

To slightly parapharse: "there is no poem as lovely as a..."

I'm off to exercise and then explore the Lost Hills. Read about the area in a book entitled "Black Gold", written in the 1940's the author described the earliest of California's oil prospectors. McKittrick was one of the towns mentioned. Will take a look and post photos during the week. It is going to be in the 90s here today so all this needs to be done before the sun is too strong or all you will see is the smog - in fact that may already be a problem as we've had several hot days. Then there is the problem with parts of Santa Barbara (on the coast) burning - don't know how much smoke has blown over the mountians. It all makes for a thick soup in terms of air quality. Then there will be a Mother's Day brunch at work for the Residents. New photos during the week...

Completing the Circle

The highway to Glennville leads me back to a familiar haunt - Granite Road. On this Sunday, I came upon two Condors (or at least I think so, gaging from the wing span and the 'finger like feathers' at the wing tip). Alas I have just this one lens so am limited for long distance close up. They were circling a carcass on the side of the road. My presence had disturbed their Sunday brunch.
No trip to the country side is complete if I have not included a goat, cow or horse....viola

Heading back to Rt. 99 and thoughts about where to next week-end....

Odds and ends from Lake Isabelle to Glennville

The rocky terrain of the area around Lake Isabella is startling. A large lake surrounded by near desert. In fact, the desert and Red Rock Canyon lie just 30 or so more miles to the South East side of this mountain range. These mountains are a tiny barrier when one considers the enormity of the complete arid, dry heat that lives in the desert.

Thistle guards the gate at the damn - ready for all manner of climatic assault.

The forest is lush and green just beyond and up hill a few miles north west from Lake Isabella. But the clouds and rain are soon to disappear. The average rainfall in May is 1/2 inch and it is down hill to just about bone dry by the end of September. Then California begins to burn. The Firemen must dread it.

And a small reminder that these forests are home to all manner of creatures: great and small....

The road to Glennville

The highway that leads to Glennville is a winding sometime narrow road too. But to my great pleasure there are numerous turn outs that provide an opportunity to pull over and take a photo or two. The road also has places where many rocks slide off the mountain. Should you decide to venture up there, go when you take a leisurely drive.

I love path ways in the distance. Always reminds me of the Robert Frost poem. The decisions we make - journeys to destinations unknown.

Clouds sitting on the mountain. Little promises of rain.

Lake Isabella - a place for boats and fishermen

I brought my tackle and rod but was too consumed with photography to drop a line. It was windy and a bit brisk. Note to self: leave a jacket in the car!

Lake Isabella - built on a fault line...

When Lake Isabella was under construction no one knew it was directly on top of a fault line. If and when the "Big One" comes the Lake will put the city of Bakersfield some 40 miles away under many feet of water. Driving up the canyon today I understood the physics of the potential disaster. The suddenly freed waters picking up speed as it is forced into the narrow canyon. Lake Isabella is very low right now. So does that make it 13 feet over the city rather than 18 feet? On the other side of the dam...a trailer park (of course).

Small hidden places along the river

Peaking through to the Kern - looks calm. That might be a nice fishing spot

South Eastern Sequoia Park

Drove up the winding road that leads one along side the Kern River. It was early Sunday morning so no one was honking or making obscene gestures as I meandered through the canyon.

It is often difficult to get a clear shot because smog is a constant factor. Should have been here yesterday right after the rain.