Tehachapi

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We decided to stop in Tehachapi, a town famous for its valleys full of windmills and its delicious apples in autumn. We drove through the hills, past horses, tiny farms, and orchards. Pulling into Brite Lake Recreational Area Campground, Jess and I were struck by sudden remembrance. We'd been here before! Our older retriever, Michael, had gone swimming in this lake, we had walked by its shoreline. That's not all we observed as we drove in. From amongst the trees, wizened faces peered at us. Someone had carved many of the trees lining the drive with faces of Native Americans, bearded old men, and wild animals. After registering, we drove back into town, and headed towards a German bakery we remembered, Kohnen Bakery. The eclairs and cream puffs tempted us, the bear claws called our names, the fruit tarts beckoned..... In the end, we each had a mini-cheesecake - cherry for Julia, and chocolate raspberry for Jessica. We sat on the patio with Rascal, and tried to get the bakery's wi-fi to work for us, but had no luck.
We made a supply run to pick up a few items we had forgotten - sunglasses, hairties, booklights, that kind of thing, - then returned to Brite Lake. A bucolic scene greeted us. The lowering sun streamed across the fields, crickets and songbirds chirping. Turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks passed overhead on the gentle breeze that carried the sound of rustling oaks and lowing cattle. Over the tree covered hills opposite the campground, cows strolled, grazing peacefully. These giant beasts took Rascal by surprise. He stared for a moment, bug-eyed, then growled low in his throat and began to bark.
We tried to quiet him by putting him back in the motor home, but he could still see the cattle from the windows. As a distraction, I took him on a walk down to the lake edge, where red-winged blackbirds sang in the rushes, and mallards splashed along the shoreline. Rascal stared with silent fascination at these delights, while I watched the sunset over the water.
The next morn, we took an early walk and heard the meadow larks singing. A great blue heron calmly stalked the fields, seemingly above noting our presence watching him. We left, driving out along the CA-58, saying our goodbyes to this town full of pleasant memories.

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Photos

P4260070
These were the carved trees around our campground.

Outhouse
This was by the RV dump station.

Comments

[Jenny]

Tehachapi
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Write more. I love reading about your adventures and I love remembering Tehachapi. Your pictures are great. Mom

[aunt janet!]

going to read them all
just got a message from your dad with a way to contact you! He called during prayer meeting tonight. I am going to read all your entries then give him a call. think I will hold off visiting he and your mom until their colds are long gone. Love your photos. You are two are good! Love the descriptive writing too! It is like I'm hearing the bear claws call me!