Lone Pine

* Regarding “The Invasion of Lone Pine,” editorial, June 9: As a family, the two dogs included, we enjoy vacationing in Lone Pine once a year. The primary attraction is that Lone Pine is so different from Bakersfield. It also helps that Lone Pine is not a very “touristy” spot. It is so neat to stay in a motel overlooking the Alabama Hills, and to read the plaque on the door saying, “Gene Autry Stayed Here.”

Carl’s Jr. and McDonald’s will certainly take away an aspect of what Lone Pine is all about--a very quaint place. If these fast-food places set up shop, pretty soon Lone Pine will be indistinguishable from Anytown, USA, characterized by the same eateries and mini-malls that can be found in any community.

Everywhere we turn around, we are fast losing a sense of place and identity. Is it good or bad? I do not know. Will we stop going to Lone Pine because of the fast-food invasion? Perhaps. You are right: Life is not going to be the same!

SRIRAM KRISHNAMURTHY

Bakersfield