10 things to see and do in eastern Kern County communities
1. NASA Start with NASA Dryden Flight Research Center,
which provides the ideal destination for a field trip to see actual planes from East Kern’s historic aeronautic past. Organized group tours are offered on most weekdays free of charge on a “reservationonly” basis.Regularly scheduled public tours for groups smaller than 15 are available. For more information, call (661) 276-3460. Or you can get information on a public tour by calling the Edwards Air Force Base public affairs office at (661) 277-8707.
2. China Lake Admission into the U.S. Naval Museum of
Armament & Technology is free and open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here you can learn about the rich air and surface weapon systems development heritage of one of the Navy’s premier weapons research, development and test facilities. Located at the U.S. Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, it provides many present and past naval aircraft, weapons and technology for closeup viewing.
3. Tortoises The Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area
is almost 40 square miles of prime natural habitat set aside for the desert tortoise, the official California State Reptile. It lies northeast of California City - a two-hour drive north of Bakersfield. There are many other animals present including the threatened Mohave ground squirrel, desert kit fox, coyote, badger, jackrabbit, desert woodrat, kangaroo rat and a variety of lizards, birds and snakes. Wildlife is best observed in the spring months. There are also more than 160 different kinds of plants.
4. Ridgecrest Regional Wild Horse and Burro Corrals Established in 1982, through cooperation with the
Naval Weapons Station and Death Valley National Park, professional wranglers based from this facility perform roundups throughout the year to keep these herd management areas in ecological balance with their habitat. Captured animals are prepared for adoption which
includes vaccinations, worming and blood tests and branding. On an average year, the corrals will prepare more than 1,000 animals. For more information, contact (760) 384-5764.
5. Jawbone From cross-country play to advanced techni-
cal routes, the Jawbone OHV Area offers more than 7,000 acres of open-use public land where you can ride your offroad machine. Jawbone is also a great starting point to begin to explore the hundreds of miles of trail riding opportunities available in this region and outside of the OHV Open Area. It is located about 20 miles north of the intersection of State Highways 14 and 58 in the town of Mojave.
6. Maturango Museum This museum of the cultural
history, natural history and geology of the Northern Mojave Desert emphasizing the Indian Wells Valley is located in Ridgecrest. Admission is free to the store and information area: Admission to the exhibits and art gallery is free to members; non-members are asked for a donation of $5 adults, $3 students and seniors. Admission to the exhibits and art gallery will be FREE to everyone the second Saturday of each month.
7. Bright Star The Bright Star Wilderness is a relatively
small wilderness encompassing only 9,520 acres of the southern transition ecosystems of the Sierra, protecting much of the Kelso range. Although it lacks designated hiking trails, visitors will enjoy true solitude and an incredible array of birdlife in this notable “Mojave-meetsSierra” wilderness. Its vegetation varies from the familiar Sierra to the brush, chaparral, and Joshua tree habitats of lower elevations.
8. Felines Cat lovers can find The Exotic Feline Breeding
Compound’s Feline Conservation Center, also known as the Cat House, in Rosamond. The desert zoo/wildlife museum provides a variety of wild cat species. The center is dedicated to protecting and preserving the endangered felines around the world. The center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Wednesdays and major holidays. Admission is $5, seniors $4, children 3-12 are $3, and under 3 is free.
9. Race track Willow Springs International Motor Sports
Park is a 600-acre complex of six racetracks embracing nearly every conceivable motor sport. The original track at the facility, Willow Springs International Raceway, celebrates its 55th birthday this year, and hosted the first two NASCAR events west of the Mississippi and the first kart road racing in America. Spectator amenities include two full-service diners with full bars, a well-stocked gift shop, plenty of spectators seating and parking, modern rest rooms, and outstanding viewing areas.
10. Flight test The Air Force Flight Test Center Museum
collects, interprets, preserves, and displays history of Edwards Air Force Base and the history of USAF flight testing. More than 80 aircraft are in the museum’s collection, on display or in storage or being restored. Exhibits inside the museum also cover the formation of the ancient lakebeds, early homesteading in the area, the first military use of Edwards, flight testing during WWII, breaking the sound barrier, high-speed flight, and the story of Glen Edwards, the base's namesake. — Compiled by Gene Garaygordobil www.BakersfieldLife.com 81