Boys in for a Swim...

Lakes in Southern California usually are man-made domestic water reservoirs like Brite Lake, and no human contact is allowed. Three Island Lake at Bear Valley Springs is a real swimming lake where youngsters can jump off of rope swings into the water and swim around the islands. At right, brothers Kayden (in the water) and Quinten enjoy a summer day during a visit with their grandad. Non-residents of BVS need to go a bit farther to find a swimming hole, such as reservoir Lake Isabella (swimming OK) or the placid, flat area of the Kern River at Kernville above where the river drops off into a tumbling torrent. Tehachapi youngsters can swim in the sparkling pool at Stallion Springs (a modest fee for non-residents) or at the Tehachapi Valley Recreation and Park District's Dye Natatorium at Jacobsen Middle School, which will be open July 20.