In June of last year, we went camping at Lake Isabella, which is just above Bakersfield.  Behind our campground was a grove of sycamore trees (at least I think they were sycamores … ) where a fire had swept through not too long ago.  I named it the ‘black and white forest’.  After setting up camp, I had a chance to stroll and take some pictures.  It was sunset which made for some interesting colors.

The black and white forest against the sunset made for a wonderful display of colors.  This is my favorite:

Although this one is cool, too …

And I liked these as well …

The next day, I checked it out in the light of day.  That is the black and white forest in the background.

The owner of the campground told us that the fire occurred the previous Memorial Day, so this is about a year post-fire.  It is amazing to see how quickly things are recovering.

Now, a note about the campground … or I guess I should say “Kampground”.  We are staying at the Lake Isabella KOA.  There’s a lot to like about this campground: it’s our first stay in a KOA, and there is a pool here, a splash pad, and organized activities, good for the kids.  Our tent site has electricity, our own water spigot, and wi-fi!  I’d show you a picture of the campsite, but it’s not that impressive.  A patch of dirt, a tree, side by side by everyone else.  I’ve stayed in other campgrounds similar or worse.  The owners of the facility are really energetic, and I would stay here again, maybe even this summer.

So, if you are looking for a campsite, secluded and surrounded by nature, this would not be the place for you.  But if you want a campsite with all the amenities – tent sites with electricity, water, and wi-fi –  as well as organized activites and a pool, then this place is for you!

Yes, a lot to like about the campground, but then there’s this … Theoretically, we’re supposed to be near the lake, if you look at this map …

Well, it certainly does appear to be lakefront, now doesn’t it?  But if it were, the lake would be where the black and white forest is … The kids ask, does the lake ever come that close?  I would say, judging by the black and white forest, that it doesn’t ….

So off we go to drive around the lake.  Here is Lake Isabella …

Lake Isabella has a bit of a dam problem.  It’s dam has been found to have some seismic issues, and so the lake has been drawn down for the time being.  There is much angst among the residents, both up here in the town of Lake Isabella as well as the residents down the hill in Bakersfield, about when the dam will be fixed.  Even though it’s one of the worst dams in the country, it is taking quite awhile for the Army Corps to decide what to do.

We also stopped at the Kern River Fish Hatchery.

The hatchery raises trout.

Back at the campground, one last stroll out to the back.  This time, I head not into the black and white forest but instead to a farm in the other direction …

I pass stupid plastic bags on my way.  Even way out here, those ubiquitous bags are here … I hate those bags, especially when I see them in places I shouldn’t, like here … !

The farm at the end of the pathway …

And this  …

So long from Lake Isabella!

For more information:

• Here is the webpage for the Lake Isabella KOA.
• Click here for more on the Kern River Fish Hatchery.
• For more on Lake Isabella, click here or click here.