Naughty Girl in Bakersfield
Bakersfield, California: After exercising
(this will be an important element later in this column), we hitched-up the
Honda and again pointed the Magna Peregrinus south. Another reason I
have titled this trip the Deja Vu All Over Again tour: yet another drive
on Highway 99. Ugh. Boring.
Except now Caltrans have planted gorgeous wildflowers up and down the highway!
Gorgeous - and no, they are not California poppies. We
can't figure out what they are, but appear to be daisy-like? Readers?
Any idea?
The almond, peach, plum, nectarine (etc., etc., etc.) trees are blooming
and the San Joaquin Valley was very colorful this afternoon.
Approximately 372,743 honey bees committed suicide on
our windscreen today. My count may be slightly off.
After refueling (100 gallons), we checked-into our new favorite RV park
in Bakersfield (thanks, CW) and settled-in. Later we headed into
Bakersfield to see what there was to see.
Apparently, not much.
Besides being one of the most
ozone-polluted cities in America, Bakersfield is a bit dumpy. (Criticize
my criticism if you will, but this is my blog and I'm sticking to my
opinion.) I brought my camera to
photograph the old historic buildings. The
Kern Country
Historical Museum was exquisite, but the museum was covered in tarps
due to a remodel/painting project - so no photos. Behind the museum is
the
Sam Lynn Ballpark - home of the only remaining professional ball
field in America that faces west. (Save that precious tidbit for
Jeopardy.)
Everything else we saw on our drive-by tour was fairly retched.
No matter. There isn't a town in America where I can't
find an iconic food emporium and Bakersfield has a winner -
Dewar's Ice Cream
and Fine Candies. Now over 100 years old, Dewar's makes all their
ice cream on-site fresh daily.
What you don't see in this photo is the ambulance to the
right that was in the parking area to assist the policemen (that you
can't see on the other side of the building) who were arresting a punk
while removing all sorts of drug paraphernalia from his pockets. Forget
about all that - Dewar's is wonderful.
This is one scoop of chocolate chip. Price - $1.80.
Dewar's is very charming and filled with mostly-locals.
The ceiling fans are amazing - two fan blow and rotate in circles! The
kids in Dewar's didn't need menu's - they all ordered a "Black & White"
- a sundae layered with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, chocolate ice
cream, marshmallow fluff, then topped with whipped cream and nuts, $6.
Here is where I was very naughty. Triple Chocolate. One
scoop, $1.80. Dewar's must serve the most generous scoop in America.
I ate every morsel.
Until my next update, I remain, your "I'm never eating again"
correspondent.
RV Park: Bakersfield
RV Resort. Full-service, 50-amp gravel pull
through. Free wifi, nice pool and spa, great fitness
center, on-site bar and restaurant (very good).
Fancy bath house. Camping World across the street.