After a pleasant morning exploring Sequoia National Park, we exited the park looking for our campsite that Google maps said was "10 miles away". WRONG! Due to road closures and unpaved fire roads not suitable for a 2-wheel drive minivan piloted by a buffoon, it took us 3 hours to find our "campsite".
Upon arrival, we first encountered a team of smoke-jumping firefighters doing control burns near the site - not great, Bob. Then where a camp host was supposed to be, we met 2 huge, angry looking black cows. No other campers around. No humans. Site number 5 looked like something out of a dystopian hellscape. No trees for shade in 107 degree heat. Overgrown vegetation and uglier than sin overall.
So we did what any family absent cell service, reliable maps or clue would do in this situation: ham and egg our way south on any road possible and hope like hell we'd end up in the all American city of Bakersfield!
Once we got cell service, I texted our old buddy Tanner who gave us a great hotel rec on the "safe side" of Bakersfield and man, was he spot on! Great hotel with a pool, next to every chain restaurant in the world and staffed by very friendly people. Great late night dinner at Yard House, which was bumping at 9pm, super service and a terrific end to a hectic and at times frightening day. Not sure how many of you have tried to navigate the roads around Dunlap, CA but if you have, you know what I'm talking about. Whooof.
5/5 stars to Bakersfield, CA and to Tanner for saving the day and giving us a fresh start to our next adventure on this 18-day road trip. Off to Big Bear, CA for 4 nights at my cousin's house (available on Abnb if you're curious) where temps won't crack 90 and will get down below 60 at night. Ahhhhhhhh.
After that, another date with legendary
@Bob Sacamano