I left Bakersfield late Friday evening heading towards Caliente in a rainstorm. The site I initially wanted to stay at proved too muddy for me to even begin to get up the hill in my Prius. I decided to press on towards Caliente, but to stay on the western end of the valley to find a place to rest. I kept going up elevation until the rain turned to snow, and the snow became too questionable for continued driving. I turned around and headed to a large turnout I saw that held promise. Despite the weather getting below freezing, the three dogs and I stayed quite warm in the Prius- heat not needed.

Made it to the worksite, to learn that goats apparently find unexpected snow storms the ideal time to give birth.

I spent Saturday stripping car interiors with our shop friend Sharkie and the dogs running free among the many Priuses while the sun melted the snow deposited the night prior. I was surprised by how clean snow gets cars.

After a day of Priuses and goats, I headed off into the darkness, heading to find a spot in the desert for the night. I didn’t make it.

As I started north, I came across Breckenridge Road, which I thought I was already past. Breckenridge has nice free campground in the Sequoia National Forest, but I expected the snow to be too deep for me to make it. Also, the sign said closed eight miles ahead, and the campground was eleven. Still, I pressed on hoping to there would be a spot before the road closed. I scouted all the way up to where the snow too deep for me to risk further exploration. I haven’t had a chance to explore Pi-Pri’s snow capabilities, and alone in the dark of night seemed the wrong time to learn of them, or lack of them.

So I turned around, headed back down the mountain a spot I had earlier seen, and backed in to camp. I briefly let the dogs out, and we bedded down. After a quiet night, morning came and I got up to learn of my surroundings.

The soundscape provided for us was gifted by this babbling brook.

After taking in our surroundings, I made some tea, and we set out for a stroll.

While walking through the water, I noticed it was cold, but warmer then the ground. In fact, my toes were warming up. The warmth peaked right here, at this little pool.

Right here, I was also able to smell a slight scent of sulfur. That helped me confirm that this was tiny little warm spring. We continued on.

Then the tea was finished, and we headed back.

Even on the way back there was still more to see. I was getting nervous though, I could tell the brains on Bigs were starting to break, and I didn’t bring a leash. I hadn’t planned on going as far as i did. Were wearing tow collars though, so I was able to use one of those a short lead for them.

We made it back to the car, and headed back to Bakersfield via Old Kern Highway.

Now I saw good night, writing this out, looking over the top of Bakersfield wondering how long can these good times last.

-Duckin Kev