The Magic Raven has driven past the sign many times on the way to Owens Valley but this time he made a vow to try a new road.  Highway 178  leads one through thick stands of Joshua trees, rolling green pastures filled with cattle and horses, through Weldon and Onyx, then past Lake Isabella and into Kernville.  On the outskirts of Weldon just before you hit the lake there is a sign leading you to the Audubon Kern River Preserve.  It's an easy one mile hike through Cottonwood trees.  We spotted, lizards, jack rabbits, mice, birds and deer.  Even the Magic Raven didn't get sore feet on this hike.   Turn North at Sierra Way and follow the road north and west past lake Isabella into Kernville.  Then continue north along the banks of the Kern River where white water rafters abound.  The Magic Raven always stops for lunch and did so in Kernville before checking out the river. 

Don't forget to left click on the picture to see the larger version

 

          Thick Stands of Joshua trees entering the Valley             Green pasture land at the higher elevations
   
                                    

          

   Cattle graze peacefully in tree shaded fields   Kernville:  Where the Magic Raven stops for lunch
   

   The Magic Raven was not impressed by Lake Isabella           The Magic Raven's Grand daughter fits anywhere.
   

 
 Mysterious Green truck:  Go to the next page to find where the Magic Raven stumbled on this relic.