larger view

I am continually amazed at the little things I find in my garage that I didn’t know were there. Last weekend I was searching for a small hand shovel to put some new plants in my empty flower bed. Underneath a dusty boogie board and a box of old tattered hats was my collection of dated newspapers I had totally forgotten about.
     My dad began collecting newspapers from important dates in our family history many years ago and passed the tradition to me. I sat that Saturday in my half-painted garage and read the paper from the day I was born, the day I got married and the day the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. These aren’t important dates in history to everyone, but they were to me and I lost track of time as I sat on my toolbox and took in all the wonders of another world in my past. Near sundown, I wandered into the house and forgot about my flowerbed and the search for the hand shovel.
     On a larger scale, I have that same feeling every time I take a Sunday drive with my kids. Growing up in Kern County, I spent childhood days in the Tehachapi mountains, the Kern River canyon and the desert sands of the Mojave. These days, it’s a trip through time whenever we load up the car. The most fascinating aspect is being able to show my kids a place like Red Rock Canyon and watch their amazement. Their excitement is just like mine when I was a kid. 
     In our busy lives we look for time to get away for a week or two. We look to the snow, the mountains, the cool air and the sunshine. Many of us forget that these wonders are easily found right here in Kern County. Let me suggest that you take a mini-vacation soon and see something new in Kern County again.
     I am proud to say that Bakersfield Life has partnered with the Kern County Board of Trade to publish “The Official 2008 Kern County Visitors Guide.” You’ll find some of their stories within the pages of Bakersfield Life this month. Our goal is to show our new neighbors the sights and excitement of Kern County, while reminding many long-time locals of the places they may not have been in a while.
     Our cover story will show you three different day trips through Kern County. Trust me, they are all worth a separate weekend. You will see amazing wild rivers, wonderful rock formations and peaceful sunsets. Take a few local trips and you’ll discover; it’s all here in Kern County.
     We couldn’t give you an issue of Bakersfield Life without a stop by the “Red Couch.” This month we talk education and see how important it is to local women. Speaking of women, our Dining Divas took in lunch at Akira. WOW! What a place.    Make sure you take the kids with you - they’ll love it.
     So, as we begin another beautiful Kern County Spring, I hope you make the best of your Bakersfield Life.


Chris Thompson
Managing Editor
(661) 395-7492
cthompson@bakersfield.com