Again today there were many contrasts but of a different sort. We adjusted the route on the fly and found a short cut that still ended up where we wanted to at the Pacific Ocean in Morro Bay. On the way, the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley was exposed to us with its fantastic agricultural fields and ranches. The Lost Hills oil fields are in the middle of CA 46 still are one of the best producers (see below) .
A few of the farms and fields were at the "Morro Creek Ranch" where they grow Avacados. they also sell avocados in many forms , oil, salves, and combined with sauces and of course guacamole. They will sell and ship you a one ton bundle!
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| Many groves of nuts especilly. These are Pistachios |
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| Close up one of the thousands of acres of nut trees. |
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| A Pistachio nut tree up close.The nuts are in clustersl |
"Pacific Almond Co." .is owned and operated by the Billings Family on Why. 46.
"Sierra Gold Nurseries" supply these growers in the Valley with bareroot, containerized and rootstock trees of nuts and fruits. For instance they grow 17 varieties of almonds alone, 17 kinds of Apple trees, 5 apricots, 29 Cherry, 18 Cling Peaches, 70 Freestone peach varieties, 12 Pears, 9 Plums, 4 Prunes, and 10 Walnuts . They have great research and are coming up with new varieties each year. Their HQ is in Yuba City , CA , but their main growing is in the Sacramento Valley. "Up North" from here.
"Sun World" grows green, red and black grapes on CA 46. One of their "Better Future Projects" is
--"Soil and Bee Health: Plant 50% of acres with cover crops and hedgerows to support soil health and at-risk bee populations. We are the first-ever commercial grape grower to be given the designation of Certified Bee Friendly Farms from the Pollinator Partnership."
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| An espaliered grape vine . many of this style is seen. |
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| One of the working wells of the Lost Hills oil field. (see above) |
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| Some times the groves are well of back of the road due to fallow fields. |
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| A typical stretch of road from Needles to the San Joaquin Valley. |
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| This seems to be new plantings of grapes staked close together. |
Lost Hills oilfield on CA 46, that we passed through, is on both sides of the road, is still producing since 1910 when a farmer digging a water well hit oil at 500 feet. It is CA 6th most productive field.
The drought in the west has produced some harsh measures for farmers and agriculturalists. Some growers are “Stumping” avocado Trees during drought. That is cutting them down now to conserve the tree and reduce water use. They will come back when the rains return.. An Avocado grove takes 1-2 1/2 acre feet of water per acre per season.
In California, milk is first in state production, with wine being second as the grape production brought in $248,666,000. (2017) There are currently more than 98,700 acres of vineyards and 52 bonded wineries , In San Joaquin Co. alone There were many wine events getting ready for Mother’s Day in the vineyards and local shops and stores.
Sod farms are suffering. They must diversify the last three years due to the severe drought. One thing that would help would be to intensively plant vineyards, closer together and smaller. That has already started.
Between the rows of trees there is usually a cover crop of some sort. One farmer uses this mix; a cover crop mix (oats, sweet peas, vetch, and clovers) . Sometimes they allow the sheep and goats to browse the cover crop.
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| As we came closer to the Coast the "rain shadow" lessened and more trees has moisture to grow. |
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| Workers hoeing and culling the dead rose branches .Miles of roses. |
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| Some of the rose fields . |
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| Our home in front of the Morro Rock for four nights. |
(CA 46) Although we came from the east to west, here is a short description from west to east. CA 46 turns northeast, following Cholame Creek through Cholame Pass between the Cholame Hills and Temblor Range to the settlement of Cholame and the split with SR 41. this intersection is where james dean crashed and he and his companion lost their lives in -------.After crossing into Kern County, the highway continues to rise as it heads east up the Antelope Grade to a summit near Bluestone Ridge before descending through Polonio Pass into the Antelope Valley, an arm of the San Joaquin Valley. The road is about 600-2500 above sea level , and the pass at Bluefield Ridge near 3,000 feet. (The last 12 miles before the Ocean is the toughest, as it is winding around steep cliffs with no shoulder at all. )
Continuing on east passing through the *Lost Hills Oil Field, and intersecting I-5 about two miles (3.2 km) past Lost Hills and the crossing of the California Aqueduct. SR 46 then passes through the Semitropic Oil Field about seven miles (11 km) west of Wasco. SR 46 and SR 43 overlap for a short distance in the city of Wasco, and then SR 46 passes over Calloway Canal and Friant Canal , It ends at CA 33 North of Bakersfield. That last stretch is level and straight.
We arrived safely and made it through the winding last portion of the road to Morrow Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The temp was 63 with a cool breeze off the Ocean. We are on the outside edge of the campground overlooking the Morro Bay Rock. Tomorrow we start some serious bird watching although we did see 21 species today, including the WESTERN GULL, a new one on our list, which inhabit the beach on the Bay. The weather is great with a high of 63 and tonight probably down to 51. Hey, we are on the Pacific Ocean.
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