Lake Isabella and Kern River PROPOSED FEE AREAS

To all my friends who recreate in the Lake Isabella and Kern River, California area:

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing FEE AREAS in a contiguous region
surrounding Lake Isabella and north to the Johnsondale Bridge. Please
look at the maps posted here to see the areas involved. You have an
opportunity to write to the Congressional Committee in Washington, DC
that has the authority to STOP THE FEE HIKE. JULY 2, 2008 is the DEADLINE
to send your comments. To learn how to send your letter by EMAIL or FAX
please go to the Western Slope No Fee website link below to read the
particulars.

http://westernslopenofee.org/index2.php?display=yes&pageid=22

SYNERGY CSUB Todd Madigan Gallery

The Todd Madigan Gallery at CSU Bakersfield hosts "SYNERGY" thru June 7, 2008. Watch video from the opening reception May 22nd. This exhibit features work from Senior Art Students who will be graduating in June. Gallery hours are Wed. thru Sat., Noon to 6pm.

Alyssum, Iris, Poppies and Sweet Peas

Every April we open our home for the Kern Valley Art Tour. Since we feature outdoor sculpture I’ve been working to discover the flowers that will bloom as a backdrop to the artwork. This year it turned out to be sweet alyssum, iris, poppies and sweet peas. I will be taking photographs each month to develop a timetable for this elevation and climate zone. A few of the images are included here for your enjoyment.

Kayaking in Kernville, CA

The last two weekends showcased events that always seem to kick off the summer tourism season: The Kern River Whitewater Races and the Kern River Valley Open Studio and Gallery Tour. I am including some video I shot in Kernville on Sat. April 19. The Mini Cooper club was in town, in force and paddlers were practicing for the first race in the Sierra Cup Slalom Series. Check out the paddlers website for more events throughout California. The next Kern River race will be held August 23 and 24.
( http://www.kernfestival.org/sierracup.htm )

La dérivée

Today I am reminded of the many ways that mountain living brings me closer to nature. It has been in the high 60's some days; several fruit trees have blossomed yet only a few bees have emerged to enjoy the sun. This morning the reason is clear; overnight it was 31 degrees and at sunrise I needed a cup of coffee to ignore the fact that it was still trying to break 40. At 35N 118W with an elevation of 2667 feet the moon is bright against a clear blue sky. An aimless walk promises to provide many wonderful discoveries. First of all I notice the strawberries are holding a reminder of the overnight frost. A glistening spider's web makes me pause and the volunteer sweetpeas are already a foot and a half tall. The white iris' have pushed their blooms, beans are fragrant and lovely, the fennel is lush and the snow peas are ready for tonights salad. The birds are singing as they move between the manzanita, pine and oaks. That inviting sound leads the way to wild cucumbers, owl's clover and much more. It is truly a glorious day to be out exploring and capturing a few images to share. Before I know it, two hours have disappeared. Ah...the satisfaction of la derive...an aimless walk on a lovely day.

Kern River Valley welcomes Spring

Early March 2008 brought manzanita blooms and lots of insect activity! The rest of the garden came to life as daffodils and grape hyacinths burst forth with color to greet the new season.

Longest Walk 2 Southern Route Sings

All Life is Sacred
Clean Up Mother Earth
Protect Sacred Sites
Walk for the Seventh Generation
Walk for peace, justice and the healing of Mother Earth
Renew your Spirit; walk in the footsteps of our Ancestors

The words above carry all Longest Walk 2 participants across the USA today. The Southern Route enters Flagstaff, Arizona this morning and begins a week of conferences, educational seminars and fundraisers. Please get informed and become involved. Visit the website for more information at: www.longestwalk.org

The Flagstaff, Arizona newsrelease can be found here:
http://longestwalk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=22&Itemid=122

The pictures in this post show images of Southern Route singing in Bakersfield, Ca.