At night I walk the streets of Bakersfield
Actually, no I didn't. I did however ride my cousin's mountain bike to the store last night. Does that count? Ok, let me start from the beginning.
I arrived at Walker Pass and quickly received a ride into Onyx without really even having to get my thumb out. I tried calling Jason, that's my cousin. We were born on the exact same day, and spent some great times fishing and hanging out at my uncle's cabin together when we were kids. I haven't seen him since we were in grade school! Anyway, I tried calling him but I wrote down his cell phone number incorrectly so I called his house and left a message for him. It was around noon so I figured I'd hang out in Onyx (which is essentially a gas station and a post office) until he could get home and retrieve the message and then pick me up.
As I was waiting a US Army Recruiting Sergeant (Sergeant Dunnick) asked me how my hike was going and wanted to know if I needed a ride. The opportunity to yogi a ride from the US Army was just too good to pass up, so I left a new message on Jason's machine telling him NOT to pick me up and Sergeant Dunnick and I drove down the mountain into Bakersfield.
I talked with sergeant Dunnick about my Army experience and we had a great conversation on the way into town. She let me use her cell to call my cousin again to see if he was home, but it was still before 5:00 pm so she dropped me off at the library and logged me onto the internet with her card so that I could check my email while I waited.
Later she called my cousin to make sure that we had connected and that everything was OK. Good lookin' out Sergeant! I appreciate all your help! A big "Hoo-rah" to you and remember that "Engineers Lead the Way"!
After 5:00 pm I called Jason and he and his girlfriend Emily came and picked me up (they were just a block or two away). We went back to their house and Emily cooked a fantastic dinner for us.
The next day we woke up and Jason and I went up to my uncle's cabin where we had spent time together as kids. It was such a rush to be back there as I have so many fond memories of playing there as a boy. We had to cut back some weeds from the cabin due to the local fire prevention program. I also took a short trip to the nearby "Indian Writings" (see photos). I hope I can return soon after my hike to spend some more time with Jason up at the cabin and make some new memories up there. I really missed that place.
After cutting some weeds, Jason asked if I wanted to go rafting (Jason is a part time rafting guide on the Kern River with Mountain & River Adventures). Of course I said "YES!". Now when he said "rafting" I'm thinking one of those large rafts with several people and a guide to steer it for us. When we get there however, I'm given a wetsuit and we load up these very, very small one person inflatable kayaks (called a "Maniyak"). There were no clients going out at that time, but we were allowed to tag along with a group of guides who were going out for one last run.
Jason then asks if I've ever done any kayaking. Uh, "In the ocean and on a lake, yes." Oh, "You'll be fine" he says. As we're heading up one of the guides inquires about my skill set, to which Jason replies "He's going to be great, he's hiking the PCT!" which makes me wonder exactly what hiking has doing to with going down a class 3 rapid in a small inflatable boat! But I take the vote of confidence in stride, and try to focus on the positive which is not getting killed.
Once in the water I stick to Jason like a duckling to it's mother. Apparently I'm sticking a little too close because as soon as we enter the rapids I end up T-boning him and putting us both in the soup. As soon as my head surfaces I'm aware of several people blowing whistles. I figure this must be the "man-overboard" signal, I then realize that I'm the man overboard as I struggle to right my small boat and get back in it.
On our first run I end up capsizing twice, on our second run I managed to stay in the entire trip. It was a wild ride, and I had a blast. The whole time I'm thinking, "I can't believe that I'm kayaking the Kern River while hiking the PCT!" who would have thought?
Mountain & River Adventures also offers mountain bike trips, rock climbing trips and a whole host of other activities, including a ropes course! They even have a campground and facilities for large groups and corporate events. The Kern River is just a few hours from L.A. If you're looking for some serious whitewater fun with safe and experienced guides, check out Mountain & River Adventures at http://www.mtnriver.com and if you're coming up on a weekend, ask to have my cousin Jason guide you and tell him Chai Guy says hi!
Later that night we returned home and Emily cooked up some elk steaks! I've never had elk before. Those were some delicious steaks, Mmmmm.....
The next day I returned to the cabin to finish up some work, and then met up with Jason at the end of his work day (he's very busy as a construction supervisor). When we returned home a new pair of shoes was waiting for me sent to me by my Dad and step-mom, Dawn. I really, really needed new shoes and was incredibly happy that they fit so well. Thanks Dad & Dawn, you guys are the best! I spent the rest of the evening going to the store and packing up for my departure this morning.
I'm sad to leave Jason and Emily but excited to finally be reaching the Sierras. I've loved being able to reconnect with my cousin and learn that we have so much in common. I can't wait to hang out with him again. I wish Jason and Emily could join me on the trail, and who knows? Maybe they will?
- Chai Guy : )
I arrived at Walker Pass and quickly received a ride into Onyx without really even having to get my thumb out. I tried calling Jason, that's my cousin. We were born on the exact same day, and spent some great times fishing and hanging out at my uncle's cabin together when we were kids. I haven't seen him since we were in grade school! Anyway, I tried calling him but I wrote down his cell phone number incorrectly so I called his house and left a message for him. It was around noon so I figured I'd hang out in Onyx (which is essentially a gas station and a post office) until he could get home and retrieve the message and then pick me up.
As I was waiting a US Army Recruiting Sergeant (Sergeant Dunnick) asked me how my hike was going and wanted to know if I needed a ride. The opportunity to yogi a ride from the US Army was just too good to pass up, so I left a new message on Jason's machine telling him NOT to pick me up and Sergeant Dunnick and I drove down the mountain into Bakersfield.
I talked with sergeant Dunnick about my Army experience and we had a great conversation on the way into town. She let me use her cell to call my cousin again to see if he was home, but it was still before 5:00 pm so she dropped me off at the library and logged me onto the internet with her card so that I could check my email while I waited.
Later she called my cousin to make sure that we had connected and that everything was OK. Good lookin' out Sergeant! I appreciate all your help! A big "Hoo-rah" to you and remember that "Engineers Lead the Way"!
After 5:00 pm I called Jason and he and his girlfriend Emily came and picked me up (they were just a block or two away). We went back to their house and Emily cooked a fantastic dinner for us.
The next day we woke up and Jason and I went up to my uncle's cabin where we had spent time together as kids. It was such a rush to be back there as I have so many fond memories of playing there as a boy. We had to cut back some weeds from the cabin due to the local fire prevention program. I also took a short trip to the nearby "Indian Writings" (see photos). I hope I can return soon after my hike to spend some more time with Jason up at the cabin and make some new memories up there. I really missed that place.
After cutting some weeds, Jason asked if I wanted to go rafting (Jason is a part time rafting guide on the Kern River with Mountain & River Adventures). Of course I said "YES!". Now when he said "rafting" I'm thinking one of those large rafts with several people and a guide to steer it for us. When we get there however, I'm given a wetsuit and we load up these very, very small one person inflatable kayaks (called a "Maniyak"). There were no clients going out at that time, but we were allowed to tag along with a group of guides who were going out for one last run.
Jason then asks if I've ever done any kayaking. Uh, "In the ocean and on a lake, yes." Oh, "You'll be fine" he says. As we're heading up one of the guides inquires about my skill set, to which Jason replies "He's going to be great, he's hiking the PCT!" which makes me wonder exactly what hiking has doing to with going down a class 3 rapid in a small inflatable boat! But I take the vote of confidence in stride, and try to focus on the positive which is not getting killed.
Once in the water I stick to Jason like a duckling to it's mother. Apparently I'm sticking a little too close because as soon as we enter the rapids I end up T-boning him and putting us both in the soup. As soon as my head surfaces I'm aware of several people blowing whistles. I figure this must be the "man-overboard" signal, I then realize that I'm the man overboard as I struggle to right my small boat and get back in it.
On our first run I end up capsizing twice, on our second run I managed to stay in the entire trip. It was a wild ride, and I had a blast. The whole time I'm thinking, "I can't believe that I'm kayaking the Kern River while hiking the PCT!" who would have thought?
Mountain & River Adventures also offers mountain bike trips, rock climbing trips and a whole host of other activities, including a ropes course! They even have a campground and facilities for large groups and corporate events. The Kern River is just a few hours from L.A. If you're looking for some serious whitewater fun with safe and experienced guides, check out Mountain & River Adventures at http://www.mtnriver.com and if you're coming up on a weekend, ask to have my cousin Jason guide you and tell him Chai Guy says hi!
Later that night we returned home and Emily cooked up some elk steaks! I've never had elk before. Those were some delicious steaks, Mmmmm.....
The next day I returned to the cabin to finish up some work, and then met up with Jason at the end of his work day (he's very busy as a construction supervisor). When we returned home a new pair of shoes was waiting for me sent to me by my Dad and step-mom, Dawn. I really, really needed new shoes and was incredibly happy that they fit so well. Thanks Dad & Dawn, you guys are the best! I spent the rest of the evening going to the store and packing up for my departure this morning.
I'm sad to leave Jason and Emily but excited to finally be reaching the Sierras. I've loved being able to reconnect with my cousin and learn that we have so much in common. I can't wait to hang out with him again. I wish Jason and Emily could join me on the trail, and who knows? Maybe they will?
- Chai Guy : )
posted by chai guy at 8:26 AM
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