California Here I Run

4^th in a Series

Kern County

Gold mining, outer space projects, oil drilling enterprises, white water rafting all share the 8,000 square miles of Kern County.  Formed in 1866, the county was named for the Kern River, in turn, receiving its nomenclature from Edward Kern, the cartographer for John C. Fremont’s 1845 expedition.

My experiences in this area of the state entail hot drives on major highways – 99, 5, 395, usually at the speed limit, through the desert terrain.  Not until researching the history, and size did I appreciate the diverse industries and recreation.  I remember a daytrip to view the Voyager airplane after it circled the globe without refueling from Edwards Air Force Base in 1986.  I purchased a photo of the elongated plane with the pilots’ autographs, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager.

A history of gold mining, a future in space, a present of desert beauty, Kern County is a true example of the California experience – unexpected, but rewarding.    co.kern.ca.us   californiacountymaps.com/kern-county.shtml

Home of:

Edwards Air Force Base – Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier here on Oct. 14, 1947.  The Space Shuttle drew Southern Californians to its landings before being transported on a 747 back to Cape Canaveral, Florida.  The sonic boom alerted many in the area of its arrival.  Edwards, a weapons testing facility, is the 2^nd largest base in the Air Force, employs 13,000 on 481 square miles of desert landscape.  Public tours are available.   edwards.af.mil

Mojave Air & Space Port – A former Marine Corps Air Station in WWII, this flight research center supports over ten companies. The X Prize Launch took place here on Oct. 4, 2004.  The team of aerospace designer Burt Rutan and financier Paul Allen won 10 million dollars when the first privately built manned spacecraft, SpaceShipOne, reached outerspace.  Movie and TV productions also use backdrops from the airport.  airracinghistory.freeola.com/pilots     mojaveairport.com

Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake – As the Navy’s largest landholding, the 1.1 million acre weapons testing facility employs scientists, engineers, military personnel and defense contractors.  On any given day, driving up 395 or 14, you may hear a roar and see a jet streak across the sky.  Way too fast to get a photo! The base opened in 1943 for rocket testing. 

A petroglyph site of Native American rock art is open for public tours.  The China Lake Museum of Armament and Technology is open for guests, but passes are required.   cnic.navy.mil/chinalake 

Ridgecrest – The city provides housing for the Navy personnel at China Lake.  It’s just off highways 14 and 395.  One main street bisects the town.  The Matarango Museum is well worth a visit.  The exhibits explain the geology, early inhabitants, as well as the current aviation industry of the Mojave desert.  The gift shop carries a selection of books on local flora, fauna and colorful individuals.  I bought a biography of Pancho Barnes, a legendary barnstormer.

Along with many Southern California ultrarunners, I look forward to early December and the annual 50K run through the desert.  It starts and finishes at the Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest.   ridgecrest-ca.gov 

Randsburg – Dirt bikers stop by here on the weekends.  Only a mile off 395, the historic mining town has a general store, saloon, and antique stores.  The root beer floats hit the spot after a dusty drive.  Photos ops are plentiful.  The hills are dotted with eclectic houses, rusty vehicles.  The views of the Southern Sierras are awesome!   randsburg.com

Johannesburg – This is a tiny desert town, right on 395, part of the Rand Mining Area.  totalescape.com              

Desert Tortoise Natural Area – Near Randsburg, the desert tortoise is protected on BLM land.  Signs are posted.

Red Mountain – In the Rand Mining Area, coming up 395, this is the first evidence of diggings.  Many dilapidated structures are scattered about.

Red Rock Canyon State Park – Highway 14 cuts through these rocky cliffs, another good spot for photos.   parks.ca.gov/?page_id=631

Lake Isabella – A dam constructed in 1953 formed this lake at the southern end of the Sierras, with the Kern River flowing in and out of the lake.  Tourists often drive up for “Whiskey Flat Days,” a local western celebration, and visit the little town of Kernville.   lakeisabella.net

Kern River – River rafting and kayaking are adventurous on the wild waters of the Kern. When my brothers and I were kids, our folks would warn us repeatedly, “Stay back from the edge.”  We sometimes took a side trip here after camping in the Sierras.   kernrivervalley.com   totalescape.com/destin/rivers/kern.html

Frazier Park – At 4639 ft. elevation, the mountain community of Frazier Park is usually pictured in the L.A. Times when the first dusting of snow comes through Tejon Pass, on Interstate 5.  The Waltons TV series was filmed here.  My grandparents had a cabin here and the family would go up for get-togethers in the 1940’s – 50’s.   mountainenterprise.com

Fort Tejon State Historic Park – Rolling hills with oak trees and native vegetation provide a respite from a grueling drive up I-5.  The fort opened in 1954 by the U.S. Army to protect and control the Indians of the region.  Restored adobes from the original fort and exhibits on army life can be viewed.  Living history demonstrations are worth the trip.  I attended one of the Civil War era re-creations.  With the surrounding landscape as a backdrop, it felt like 1863!                        parks.ca.gov/?page_id=585

Bakersfield – Buck Owens and Merle Haggard are famous for performing country music in Bakersfield, the county seat.  Vince Gill, the country music hall of famer, recently paid tribute to their unique sound by performing selections from his new CD, “Bakersfield,” at the Rabobank Arena in Oct. 

Agriculture and oil production support the city.   visitbakersfield.com

Tehachapi – A little mountain community at 3970 ft. elevation, along highway 58, which crossses the county west to east, Tehachapi hosts several 5K, 10K races, a July 4^th bull riding event and a pro-rodeo in August.  The town of 14,000 boasts a four seasons climate.   tehachapi.com

Boron – “Death Valley Days” (1952 – 1975), the TV series, and Erin Brokovich, (Julia Roberts 2000) the movie, were filmed around this mining area.  The 20 Mule Team Museum tells about the mining and processing of boron into the cleanser, “Borax.”  The 20 mule team moved the product from the mines to the railroad in Mojave.  Ronald Reagan was one of the hosts and stars of the “Death Valley” series.   digital-desert.com/boron-ca/

Delano – Founded as a railroad town in 1869, Delano was the site in 1965 of the birth of the United Farm Workers of America.  Cesar Chavez and the Filipino leaders joined forces for a “walk off” from the table grape farms to improve wages and working conditions.  California honors Chavez with a state holiday on his birthday, March 31^st.

What’s New in Kern County?  November 2013 –  A $90 million dollar outlet mall is under construction where I-5 and 99 meet.  The Outlets at Tejon Ranch, with over 70 shops, will tempt travelers to pull over at the Laval Road exit.  (L.A. Times 11/07/13)

 

High Desert 50K

December 2, 2012

The Ridgecrest run was presented by the OTHTC (Over the Hill Track Club).  This local fundraiser is a tradition among Southern California ultrarunners.  My nephew, Shawn Van Pelt brought his family and ran the 30K and I completed my 16^th High Desert 50K. 

The weather was cool, not freezing, with clear skies.  The high winds impeded forward progress on much of the course.  But, the desert is beautiful in December, no heat and no snakes!  

                                                                                                                                Ultracjj

                                                                                                                                10/30/13

My Results for High Desert 50K

12/10/95 – 6:35                                                                  12/05/04 – 7:35

12/08/96 – 6:24                                                                  12/04/05 – 7:10                                                 

12/07/97 – 6:06                                                                  12/03/06 – 6:22

12/06/98 – 5:50                                                                  12/02/07 – 7:39

12/05/99 – 5:43                                                                  12/07/08 – 7:20

12/10/00 – 6:07                                                                  12/05/10 – 7:32

12/09/01 – 6:27                                                                  12/02/12 – 8:10

12/08/02 – 5:54

12/07/03 – 6:47