JIA-CHI

My friend Will came down from SF for the weekend, so we drove out to Bakersfield to go camping.  On the way, we stopped by the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster to see the annual bloom of California Poppies which cover the valley.

It’s been a very dry winter, so there haven’t been many California Poppies springing up.  In fact, we had to sneak onto some private land to capture a small field of poppies since the reserve itself was desolate.

We then made our way up to Bakersfield along the Kern River, up to the Hobo Campground and the Remington Hot Springs.

We cooked some bacon.  And with the fat, we cooked some eggs.  6 eggs.  Camping in April in California.

Camping in Kern County at Lake Isabella.   But first, picking up provisions at Wal-Mart in Bakersfield.  Wow, have you guys been inside a Wal-Mart before?  Wow.

We heard about some secret, low-key hot springs along the Kern River with a rope swing, and decided to find them.  With only a small, nondescript yelp review as our guide, we set out to find the Remington Hot Springs.  After picking up three young kids who were also on the search for the hot springs, we finally came upon a clearing and parking lot, where locals instructed us to hike down.  Lounging and Rope Swinging ensued.

The locals have built up the pools over the past 20 years, and are always present to keep them clean and maintain them.  The Kern River runs right along the 3 baths, with a rope swing which throws you into the rushing cold waters.

Pioneer Point campground, with an ad-hoc water bottle lantern.

Hobo Campground

Remington Hot Springs

with Justice, Jill, Cole, Lisa, Claudia, Brian, Stephanie, Nikos, Amy, Jessica, and Ambrose.