California

Rain in California And a Few Days in Bakersfield

arizonalizards6 Comments
Rain, rain and more Rain
Rain, rain and more rain

October 31 – Nov 3 

Pepper settling in for another day on the road
Pepper settling in for another day on the road

We left San Jose on a bright sunny Halloween morning. What a beautiful day to be on the open road. We stopped for lunch at Casa de Fruita before heading over Pacheco Pass. Our waiter was a bit grizzly but provided service with a smile.

Friendly waiter at Casa de Fruita
Friendly waiter at Casa de Fruita

We arrived at one of our favorite RV parks – Orange Grove RV Park off of Hwy 58 on the East side of Bakersfield.  The staff were very friendly, facilities were clean and the spaces roomy, with long pull throughs.

Recommend Orange Grove RV Park if you are near Bakersfield
Recommend Orange Grove RV Park if you are near Bakersfield

Sunday found us setting out to see one of the “famous” sites in Bakersfield-Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace. We had a very nice brunch and enjoyed the Buck Owens museum.

Sign for Crystal Palace
Sign for Crystal Palace
Outside of the Crystal Palace
Outside of the Crystal Palace
Mural prior to walking into the main area of the palace
Mural prior to walking into the main area of the palace
Looking back from the stage to the top of the Palace
Looking back from the stage to the top of the Palace
Buck Owens
Buck Owens
buck owens2
This jacket was made for one of Buck’s Japanese Tours.
Buck Owens3
One of the jackets Buck wore on tour. Lisa likes this as it reminds her of seeing him on TV.

Due to rain and windy road conditions we decided to hang out in Bakersfield a few days. We were able to get some needed errands done. One of the best things about staying for a few extra days was learning Bakersfield is known for its Basque food.  What a pleasant surprise. We had a fantastic lunch at one of the local favorites – the Wool Growers Restaurant. So good and more food than we could possibly eat.  Thank goodness for to go boxes.

Unassuming entrance to a fantastic restaurant
Unassuming entrance to a fantastic restaurant
Two of the very friendly workers at Wool Gatherer
Two of the very friendly workers at Wool Growers
The starters, really a meal of its own.
The starters, really a meal of its own – Cabbage soup, pinto beans, salad, pickled tomato, and bread
Then came the entree - ribs, spaghetti, and green beans
Then came the entree – ribs, spaghetti, and green beans

Tomorrow the storms will pass and we will continue our travels to New Mexico.