The fruit farms are next to dirt farms. At least that's what they look like. I suppose this whole area used to be desert until they irrigated and brought in water. Between irrigating a desert, providing water for Los Angeles, and keeping the rivers high enough to support the offshore fishing industry, no wonder there is a water crisis here.
There is also a lot of abject poverty here. Entire towns which appear to be nothing more than labor camps. We rode over a hundred miles through fields of grape vines and fruit trees and occasional towns.
Eventually we made it to the mountains and it was about 5pm. Time to find a place to camp, and after a couple days without showering and then todays 105f, i required a shower. We rode up into the sequoia national forest and the temps dropped to 75f. There cows on the road. The views nice, the road super twisty. Then we followed the Kern river to Kernville. That was a very nice road, but as we got closer to civilization and gas we passed many national forest campgrounds, without showers. Finally, in Kernville, we found two private campgrounds but neither allowed motorcycles. Honestly i can't blame the campgrounds, but it would be nice if they only banned the loud bikes. Stupid Harley culture.
Our options appeared to ride into the dark, camp without a shower, or find a hotel. So we tried the hotels. The first was a $190/night. Second was $80/night and no AC (but they had a swamp cooler). There was a brewpub next door and they had motorcycle only parking so we took it. Their card reader didn't work so we paid $70 cash. Figured then they didn't have to pay mastercard 3% or report it (i.e. Taxes). The room was comfortable.
As for the brewpub... They had a great selection. We were impressed with the IPA (heavy on columbus and simcoe), stout (dry and roasty) and particularly the belgian amber aged in oak pinot noir barrels. And i slept great!
No comments:
Post a Comment