Bakersfield
Marc feels he has found a very responsible, efficient and reasonably priced place to take the RV for servicing and minor repairs.   Had to have a seal replaced on the way south in Nov and this time, a welding job on the radiator plus oil/filter change.   Jerry & Keith's Truck & Trailer.     Spent a couple of nights at Riverside RV in western Bakersfield- a nice park with a nice lodge, small gym with up to date cardio machines, pool and hot tub & several great restaurants close by.   Busy, busy streets no matter what time of day.

Riverside RV Park - W. Bakersfield

The Kern river which is approx 165 miles long is fed from snowmelt at Mount Whitney and is a favorite for white water rafters and kayakers.  The Kern River formerly emptied entirely into now dry Buena Vista Lake at the southern end of the Central Valley. The river has been almost entirely diverted for irrigation.

Across a canal from the river are petroleum factories.  The city's economy relies on agriculture, petroleum extraction and refinement factories.  Population of approx 350,000, Bakerfield is one of the fastest growing cities.

Along the canal is a long bike & walking path and various parks along the route.   A great fishing spot (bass)and swimming area.  The bike path is very popular (people drive the two hour trekk from Fresno to cycle here).  The path itself goes 7 miles one way and 10 miles the other direction from our RV site. 

A number of locals stay permanently in the RV Park; the school bus stops by to pick up and drop off school children.  

The dogs are looking across the Kern River from behind our RV site.   A wide dirt road on this side of the river, and the bike/walking path on the other side with a huge park.  Last year at this time, the Kern River was dried up and people would walk across the wash to the park across from the RV Park.   This year, the river is swollen and fast moving.

Oil wells are everywhere - literally.   Found in the parking lots of businesses, open fields, and in the middle of the parks.

To Chowchilla

 About a 3 1/2 hour drive from Bakersfield, turning at Boron on highway 58 and up to Chowhilla, the scenery is wide and vast.

(above) The blue looks like a large body of water but is in fact, solar panels (Boron).

At Chowchilla (The Lakes RV Park); approx 60 sites, gated and just a walk through the back gate to free golf every day (included in the RV site fee, which is very reasonable).   Clean, small, pool & hot tub, lake is stocked with fish & the sun is included!