James Dean / Blackwells Corner

James Dean (Blackwells Corner - Kern County  2024

Blackwells Corner Sign - Kern County  2024

Blackwells Corner is an unincorporated community in Kern County, California. It is located 50 miles (80 km) west-northwest of Bakersfield, at an elevation of 650 feet (198 m). Blackwells Corner is at the intersection of California State Route 46 and California State Route 33, and was the last place James Dean was seen alive prior to his death in a car wreck. (Wikipedia)

It was overcast and wet when I stopped for these photos.

Highway 46 West

Highway 46 West - Kern County  2024

I was following Google's directions to get to Monterey: take highway 5 north, then take highway 46 west to highway 101 in Paso Robles.

I stopped for gas in Lost Hills, then drove on into some quite forbidding clouds. Eventually it started to rain, quite hard at times.

Grapevine Sightems

Grapevine Hills - Kern County  2024

Rose Station & Mountain Base (Grapevine) - Kern County  2024

I regularly stop here for the views. 

Check out the Google Street View shot of the same scene:

Google Mt Base Road 2019

Tree & Crow (Grapevine - Kern County)

Tree, Crow - Kern County  2024

After dropping Hali off at the Burbank airport I headed north on highway 5 towards Monterey. I stopped at the small community of Grapevine for some photos, getting out the largish Nikon Z7II for the first time in the trip.

Lost Hills

Ranch Gate (Lost Hills) - Kern County  2023

Lavender Fields (Lost Hills) - Kern County  2023

Once again, driving to Monterey I followed Google's directions and drove over the Grapevine to Lost Hills where I cut over to Paso Robles. Of course I stopped at my usual Starbucks for breakfast.

Grapevine Starbucks - Kern County  2023

Back to the Grapevine Starbucks

 

Tehachapi Mountains - Kern County  2023

Taken from the edge of the Starbucks lot as we were heading north on highway five. Crows seen as black specks against the mountains.

Grapevine Sightems

Pet Area (Rest Stop) - Kern County  2022

Poles, Mountains - Kern County  2022

Top photo taken in a rest area just off highway five coming over the Grapevine.

Bottom photo taken from a Starbucks parking lot near the town of Grapevine.

"The village and grade are named for the canyon the trail passed through, after the wild grapes that grow along the original road. Its Spanish name is La Cañada de las Uvas, that is, Grapevine Ravine."

Grapevine

Highway 5 (Grapevine) - Kern County  2019

Taken from the small Highway 5 off-ramp area of Grapevine. Some restaurants, gas stations, and this view.