Antelope Acres, California 2023

 

The perpetually drought afflicted state of California was blessed this year by the Rain God! The water reservoirs are replenished and the mountains are laden with plenty snow. So farmers and other citizens can look forward to a better year ahead. The added bonus of a good rainfall is the coming alive of the earth in the form of wildflowers. They call it super bloom. 

Last weekend we got to see a fantastic show of such super bloom at the Carrizo National Monument. Today I decided to go explore the Poppy Reserve in the Antelope Valley. The last time we went there was in 2019. This protected land in the northeast corner of LA county bordering the southeastern part of Kern County is home to California Poppies and other wildflowers, though poppies dominate the scene. The last super bloom was so grand that it was noticeable from the space station and satellite images. 

We started from home after 10 am. Tracing my favorite route on eastbound highway 58 we climbed the green hills of Tehachapi. The grape vines and orange orchards were showing off fresh foliage. A few patches of fiddleheads were making an appearance here and there on the hills. Clouds hung over the higher mountains making it a rather soothing drive without direct sun on the face. Passing by Tehachapi we took exit 151 and from there got onto the Tehachapi -Willow Springs Road. This is a single lane road that winds through the hills on which are perched several rows of wind mills. Once past these hills the road becomes more of a straight line heading south east to meet highway 138. A two miles stretch of highway 138 brings you to 110 street. A left turn here takes you south towards I street which is Lancaster Road.

 We turned onto 110 street from highway 138 and the magic began to roll. The ground on both sides of the road was covered with a heavenly carpet in different hues of yellow and orange. Some sections were highlighted with purple. It had to be seen to be believed! As far as the eyes could see this carpet stretched, extending even up the distant hills.

From here onwards proceeding to Lancaster road the extravaganza continued. We arrived at a place where the poppies were particularly dense and so was the crowd that had gathered to watch them. We added ourselves to the gang of spectators. What we thought would be a short stop ended up being an hour long indulgence. The poppies extended over acres of uphill land with the blue sky seemingly caressing them at the top of the hill. A consistent breeze kept ruffling the blooms. It was a pleasant day with temperatures in the mid 60s. The experience couldn’t have been any better than this.

We headed further towards the actual Poppy Reserve but that site looked much less impressive than what we had already explored. Probably The Reserve was not yet in its prime. It may take another week or so for it to glow with the full blooms. We turned around from that point and traced our way back. With a stop for lunch at our German bakery/ cafe in Tehachapi we made it home by 3 pm. 

I had mixed in the flour for handvo to ferment before leaving home in the morning. It was waiting for me to add the vegetables and seasonings and then bake it. Aai had been craving for it for a few weeks. Everything taken care of before going to bed.

A magical day it was ! 

My Bhujodi to Bagalkot Ilkal accompanied me to the poppy fields. It seemed to be a match made in heaven. Got shout-outs from strangers, “very pretty “ as they saw me walk by.