Elea Almazora asked:


I am quite intrigued by the idea that is Bakersfield. The first time I ever heard of that place, it was back when I was much younger and my father was trying to share with me the joys of horror novels – specifically, horror novels by Stephen King. For some bizarre reason, Bakersfield (as was mentioned in the King novel “Misery”), suddenly struck me as a rather frightening place. Perhaps it was because it sounds so harmless, innocent and boring that you would never expect someone like creepy “number one fan” Annie Wilkes to grow up in it. Bakersfield sounds like a small little town, where everyone knows everyone else. The idea that someone who can abduct a person and hold him captive because she rather liked his writing would come from such a place caused me to lose much sleep for over a week. Obviously, my father was forbidden to read me those books again until I was older. And for a while, I thought that I would never like to go to a place that has a name that sounds as plain as “Bakersfield”, lest I meet someone like Annie Wilkes.

The next time I heard the name “Bakersfield”, it would be around 1995 when I hear one of my cousins playing the music of Korn. At the time, I had not developed much interest in metal rock, and as such, I merely asked him why he was listening to “all that noise”. I remember my cousin trying to get me into it by telling me about the band, their beginnings in Bakersfield, and the like. At the time, the mention of Bakersfield terrified me – I was so sure that Korn worshiped the devil then, and for a girl who rather liked more “classic” rock like the Beatles, the Who, and Pink Floyd, it seemed to me that Korn sounded very much like they came from hell as well. It would not be until a few years later (when I become a teenager who believed in the raw anger and sound of being young) that I would come to appreciate the music of Korn as something that has changed the landscape of music, and at that point, I decided that a boring name with not-so-boring people coming out of it may not be so bad.

So the sound of Bakersfield didn’t quite scare me by the time I was fully swinging in high school, although I wasn’t enough of a Korn fan to actually try and research everything about them and where they came from (I am not at all ashamed to say that I am THAT MUCH OF A NERD). I DID get into more Stephen King novels at that point, having suddenly decided that I would be goth and would thus immerse myself in more scary things – it didn’t work; I was far too perky to be a goth ***** for long. And thus I got to read two other Stephen King novels wherein Bakersfield was mentioned – Rose Madder and Desperation. This time, however, the connection did not frighten me as much as it fascinated me: what is it about Bakersfield that it would have such connections with bone-chilling things in the mind of Stephen King?

At first, I thought that it may be because the actual NAME of Bakersfield is rather mundane, and the fact that it is quite normal makes the association with such strange and creepy stories makes the tales all the more disturbing. No one would expect a stalker to be born and raised in a place whose name sounds like an old English cottage. But now, I’m starting to think that perhaps there is more to Bakersfield than a dull name

And it is for this very reason that I have been thinking that I should perhaps go and visit Bakersfield to see what makes the city the Korn was founded in, the place where Annie Wilkes was raised. I find it intriguing that it has been used and mentioned in popular culture (often in oblique and sometimes disturbing ways) but has nevertheless failed to affect the kind of fame that other American cities have. As I understand it, Bakersfield is supposed to be a rather large place, and is referenced not only in literature, but in music and movies as well. So I’d like to know: why is Bakersfield so queerly known and yet so very unknown?



LYNN

Elyse Morgan asked:


California is a giant-sized wonderland of preserved wilderness, world-class cities, famous beaches, tantalizing cuisine and unparalleled wines. Be close to the action from any destination in California, whether it is Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego or Bakersfield! Travel within California is fantastically scenic and simple; with the largest network of state highways that bring all of the Golden State’s wonders to your car door, you can surf, ski and enjoy fine dining all in one day… but you might want to make it two or ten!

A California for Every Kind

California is the third largest state in the United States, as well as the most populous state in the country. Consequently, California attracts visitors for all kinds of reasons. National Parks such as Joshua Tree in the expansive Mojave Desert, Pinnacles National Monument in the Central Coast, and Ansel Adam’s famously photographed Yosemite are rocky havens for rock climbers and hikers alike. The Sierra Nevada mountain range to the east boasts California’s premier ski resorts, including Mammoth Mountain and Lake Tahoe.

North of the easy-going Sacramento capital lies California’s world-class wine region. Enjoy a trip through Napa Valley for some of the most exquisite restaurants and wine tastings the country has to offer. Lose yourself in quaint luxury at a Bed & Breakfast along the Carmel coast after spending a day at the Hearst Castle. Get star struck during a visit to Hollywood or wonder-struck at Southern California’s Disneyland Resort and California Adventure theme parks, across the street from each other. Don’t forget to explore California’s coastline with a trip to the historic Channel Islands or a whale watching expedition off of San Francisco’s Pacific shores.

The Platinum State

When you book your airfare to California, you will soon discover why this massive and diverse region along the Pacific Ocean is more precious than gold. The 48 state’s tallest peak resides in the Sierra Nevada region of California. Mt. Whitney welcomes thousands of climbers and hikers each year to its 14,505 feet of serene wilderness. Giant Sequoias, the largest living organism in the world, reside in Sequoia National Park and the tallest organisms on Earth, the California Redwood trees, grace the shores of California’s rugged northern coastline. California’s Death Valley is the largest National Park in the country as well as the hottest place on earth (in the summer) and the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere. Treat yourself to Death Valley’s spectacular wildflower bloom in March and April.

California also offers one of the most superb collections of luxury resorts, celebrity chefs and nightlife. It is not surprising, considering the state is home to America’s entertainment, music and tech industries as well as one of the largest economies and ports in the world. Don’t wait another minute to book your airfare to California; you could be tanning on the beach or summiting a mountain tomorrow!



MCNEER