A Twisted Weekend

 Date: September 13–14 (Sat, Sun)
Time: 9:00am
Place: Bridgeport Community Park in Valencia
Host: Dean Rudenauer
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Description: So, you say that you like twists and turns for your Miata, eh?  Well, here’s your chance to prove it.  Come and join us for the weekend on some of the best and most fun curves in Southern California, nay, the world. Speeds will be kept to a tolerable level of course, so that both drivers and navigators can enjoy the scenery as well as the turns.  This weekend promises pleasant surprises aplenty on this fun-filled weekend. 

We will leave the park at approximately 9:00 am (final time will be updated later) on Saturday and travel north on scenic mountain roads and by-ways to lunch at Tehachapi with a possible side-trip to Willow Springs raceway to do a few parade laps during their weekend racing event.   
Lunch at Domingo's in Tehachapi.

We’ll also see the Tehachapi wind farm and railway loop before reaching the famous Breckenridge Road, with its 32 miles of twists and turns, and bushes so close to the road in spots that you can reach out and touch them as you go by. We’ll also drive around beautiful Lake Isabella and visit the scenic town of Kernville, before stopping for the evening along the banks of the Kern River at the brand new Golden Trout Lodge; completed just this past February.

Dinner that evening is at the picturesque Johnny McNally’s (sign, restaurant), just up the road.  McNally’s is famous for their steak and seafood; perhaps you’ll want to try their 28oz. filet mignon or, for big eaters, their 40oz. porterhouse.  After dinner, you may wish to drive around Lake Isabella to enjoy the numerous stars in the late summer sky or just socialize on the deck at the lodge.

We’ll have another full day of driving on Sunday, starting with a jaunt through the remnants of last year’s Kern River valley fire, which has left large stands of blackened trees, that, in their ugliness, have a beauty all their own.  We’ll drive over an incredible 100 miles of twists and turns on Sunday morning, filled with Sequoia trees, dramatic valley vistas and gorgeous mountain meadows before returning to Lake Isabella for lunch.  We will travel from 3,000’ up to 9,000’ and back down to 3,000’, so you might want to throw a jacket in the trunk. 

In the afternoon, we will trek down other famous roads like Caliente Bodfish as well as Walker Basin, among others, as we head toward Gorman, the end of our weekend, via highway 223 and Arvin.  We should reach Gorman between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.  The total mileage covered on Sunday is long, at approximately 250 miles from the Golden Trout to Gorman, but will include plenty of rest stops along the way. 

For those that make the entire journey, we will have pins, dash plaques, and window stickers for you, which will inform everyone that “I survived the first Twisted Weekend”.   

I hope to see you all there. 

Accommodations: 

The Golden Trout Lodge - You may make reservations for Saturday evening by calling Alice Schlick, 760-376-6033 and asking for a room in the SOCALM section of reserved rooms.  Currently there are 12 rooms reserved on the top floor for that evening, but she will add more rooms as needed.  However, you must make your reservation before the end of July, because rooms fill up quickly.  Price - $110.00, tax included.   

Corral Campground - You may pitch a tent for the evening at the campground directly across the street.  However, you will be roughing it, as there are no restrooms or water at the site.  There are other campgrounds in the area, but rumor has it that they are closed after Labor Day.  For further information on campsites, please contact the Forestry Office between 8:00 and 5:00 on weekdays at 760-376-3781.  

Dinner on Saturday - McNally’s has steak, seafood, and chicken.  Prices range widely, but average around $15-$17 per plate.  I had the filet mignon, and it was exceptional. 

Breakfast on Sunday - My recommendation is that since there are kitchenettes in every room at the lodge, bring a pan, purchase a couple of eggs on Saturday in Kernville and cook breakfast in the morning with your leftovers from Saturday evening.  The lodge is several miles above Kernville and I am not aware of any facilities locally at which breakfast is available. 

List of those signed up already