Playing in the Kern Valley

On our (almost) monthly trip to the lake we had a great time, of course! First up was the Rock & Blues Festival in Frandy Park (right across the river from Riverside Park). We came in Friday afternoon so we could hear them playing from the house and then on Saturday we met up with Mike, Cathy & Judy to check it out close up. Lots of entertainment and lots of variety. It was hot, but we found a shady place to hang out where we could hear perfectly and see most of the stage. It was a perfect day to sit around listening to the music and eating stuff from the booths.

 

Here's a couple of the guys who performed, but I don't remember who they are.

 

 

 Our view through the trees.

 

We have never been on this side of the river.

It's sad to see how low the water is.

 

One morning we met Dad & Daisy and Mike & Cathy in Bakersfield for a late breakfast at Hodels.

Here's a picture of the river in the canyon.

 

Dad & Daisy. He's gonna be 90 in January!

Back to the valley.

You can see how far the center point goes out into the lake.

 

 It's low at the dam.

 

 

When we first got a place up here there was a drought then too and we thought it was silly to post no diving here when there wasn't any water under the bridge. Since then we've seen the water here.

 

But we've never seen it this low. French Gluch from the bridge.

 

 

Then we decided to go out to the local range (if that's what you call it) and do a little target practice. However, there was a show in the sky so we shot more with our cameras than with the guns.

 

 

We also managed to do a few things around the house. I recovered the cushions on this chair. We paid $5 for it 20 years ago; then Ray refinished the wood and I cleaned the cushions. The fabric was falling apart so when we went to Bakersfield we stopped by Beverly's and got this fabric and I actually was able to take it apart and recover it. I'm happy it worked out. I found a date on the cushion that dated it to 1978.

 



It's acceptable and should last many more years.

 

I also finished this quilt. It's a Bonnie Hunter mystery from a few years ago. It's one of my many finishes this year. I'm on a roll.

 

 It's called Orange Crush.

A few more pictures from around the lake.

 

 

Tilly Creek. We used to launch the boat here.

 

The trees at the bottom of the lake. Still around after 55 years.

 

Out past the airport, on the way to Weldon.

You can see how low the lake is. No marsh area farther out.

 

 

Heading home.  A helicopter was buzzing around the canyon as we left.

We thought maybe it was a fire, but it must have been something else.

Check out those clouds!

 

I love this area. Barren, but beautiful.

 

You can see on the rocks how low the river is.

 

Sliding rocks. You don't want to be here during an earthquake or even an El Nino storm.

 

Another great week at the lake!

 

 

Now we're getting ready for next weekend: I have the Los Angeles County Quilters Guild quilt show and Ray has the Los Angeles Police Celebrity Golf Tournament. Both on the same weekend!

 

Never a dull moment!