75 Years of Smokey Bear

Above, a vintage Smokey Bear tin sign.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Smokey Bear (some incorrectly call him "Smokey the Bear") mascot.

USA Today has an interesting article along with some historic photos of Smokey Bear fire prevention campaign over the years.

They begin their article with:

Smokey Bear, the recognizable mascot of wildfire prevention in the United States, turns 75 Thursday. 

The U.S. Forest Service started the campaign in 1944 and used it to educate the American public on the dangers of forest fires. A live mascot, appropriately named Smokey, was added to the campaign in 1950. 

Smokey's face appeared on posters with his famous slogan: "only you can prevent forest fires." In 2001, the slogan was updated to: "only you can prevent wildfires." Smokey has also appeared on postage stamps, billboards and even a hot-air balloon. 

Off Interstate 5 near Gorman, California, there is a Smokey Bear Road.

To see more, go here.

Bakersfield: On The Road Again

It was an enjoyable day when I headed out to Bakersfield for a mandatory settlement conference.

I haven't been up to Bakersfield for a long while. There was light traffic on Interstate 5 going north. It was clear out and the surrounding hills were green. Pyramid Lake looked inviting. As I approached, on the left was the lake. Ahead and to the right was the Smokey Bear Road exit. (Yes, there really is a Smokey Bear Road. Google it!)

Beyond Smokey Bear Road and Pyramid Lake was Gorman. It snowed up in Gorman earlier in the week. There was no evidence of snow there today. The old Caravan Inn signs were gone, as was the Caravan Inn.

The Grapevine looked a bit more built up. There's an enormous Ikea distribution center there.

A little further up, I stopped briefly at the Wheeler Ridge TA Truckstop on the Tejon Ranch for coffee and snacks. I was disappointed that the sit-down restaurant they had was gone and replaced by several fast-food outlets.

Bakersfield looked a little more built up. Parking was a source of annoyance in the area around the courthouse. The nearest parking lot allowing parking for more than two hours was three blocks away.

Still, it was good to be up there after so many years.