HLR Media
JANUARY 14, 2013 - january 20, 2013 | 5
A journey back in time and into the future By Greg Aragon Sometimes I like to rent a car and drive wherever the road takes me. I did this last weekend and found myself immersed in a world of strange and fantastic rock formations, resembling a lost city thousands of years old. I discovered Red Rock Canyon State Park. Located along Highway 14 in Kern County, about 120 miles north of Los Angeles, Red Rock Canyon was once home to the Kawaiisu Indians, who left petroglyphs and artifacts in the El Paso Mountains. The spectacular gash situated at the western edge of the El Paso mountain range was on the Native American trade route for thousands of years. During the 1870s, the colorful rock formations in the park served as landmarks for 20-mule team freight wagons that stopped for water. About 1850, it was used by survivors of the famous Death Valley trek. The park now protects significant paleontology sites
and the remains of 1890s-era mining operations. When a friend and I got to Red Rock, it was a windy January morning, with snow scattered about the desert floor and only two sets of campers sharing the rugged, 27,000-sq-ft Park. I imagine this place fills up fast in spring, when the weather warms and wildflowers line the desert floor. Red Rock features 50 primitive campsites, potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. Campers should bring their own firewood, or purchase it from a ranger or at the visitor center. There are no RV hook-ups or showers. Camping is $25 per night per site, As we slowly drove around the one road that circles the sanctuary,it felt like we were in a scene from the dinosaur classic “Jurassic Park.” Maybe that’s because the movie was filmed here. In fact, due to its unique landscape Red Rock was used in lots of movies, including “The Mummy,” “Zorro Rides Again,” “Westworld,” “Airwolf,” and “The Outlaw.” When the scenery became to impressive, we
stopped to climb the rocks and take pictures and look for native wildlife such as snakes, roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice and squirrels. From the ancient rock formations at Red Rock, we journey into the future as we stopped Mojave Air and Space Port on our way home. This facility is the first
of its kind to be licensed in the United States for horizontal launches of reusable spacecraft. In other words its is known for testing some pretty wild and innovative aircraft. While here we examined the Rotary Rocket Roton ATV, which in 1999 became the first rocket-pow-
ered vehicle to fly at Mojave Spaceport. And next to this craft, we encountered a replica of Space Ship One, which was part of the first private manned space program in the country. We also had a great lunch at the Voyager Restaurant, located on the runway. While eating a bowl
of chili and onion rings, we watched planes and helicopters take off before our eyes. For more info on Red Rock Canyon State Park, call Mojave Desert Information Center (661) 942-0662. For more info on Mojave Air and Space Port, visit www. mojaveairport.com.
-Photo by Greg Aragon
2013-2014 Budget Continued from page 1
took office, the state faced a $26.6 billion budget deficit and estimated annual gaps of roughly $20 billion. The first two state budgets under Governor Brown’s watch eliminated these deficits with billions of dollars in cuts as well as temporary revenues. The 2011-2012 and 20122013 budgets provided three dollars of spending cuts for every dollar in temporary tax revenues approved by the voters. To maintain the fiscal stability that has been achieved, the budget reflects the continuation of spending cuts made in the last two years, continues to pay down the “wall of debt” and recognizes risks that remain. “Fiscal discipline is not the enemy of democratic governance, but rather its fundamental predicate. In fact, it is through fiscal discipline that this budget can invest in education, expand health care and provide a safety net for the most vulnerable,” said Governor Brown. Significant Details of the 2013-2014 State Budget: Maintains Long-Term Fiscal Stability by aligning expenditures with revenues,
paying down debt and creating a $1 billion reserve, this budget provides long-term fiscal stability on a level that California has not enjoyed in more than a decade. Invests in Education and Increases Local Control: After years of decline, this budget significantly increases state funding per student in K-12 schools – $2,700 by 2016-2017. Funding for K-12 and community colleges increases by $2.7 billion next year, and by $19 billion by 2016-2017. While K-12 school districts across the state will benefit from the increased funding—through a new school funding formula—school districts serving those students who have the greatest challenges will receive more generous increases—so that all students in California have the opportunity to succeed. The budget increases flexibility at the local level so those closest to the students can make the decisions. Increases Funding to Strengthen Higher Education and Increase Affordability: This budget increases state funding for UC and CSU by an additional $250
million, 5 percent. It proposes a multi-year stable funding plan to strengthen our higher education system, ensure affordability and reduce student indebtedness. Higher education costs have risen rapidly and middle class students have paid the price. By shortening the time it takes a student to successfully complete a degree and calling on UC and CSU to deploy their instructional resources more effectively, the system can be made more affordable—both for the students and the state. Implements Federal Health Care Reform: This budget expands access to health care for Californians by implementing federal health care reform. It expands coverage by simplifying Medi-Cal eligibility and extending coverage to childless adults and uninsured parents. Given promised federal funding, the budget outlines two alternative pathways. It also recognizes that implementation of health care reform will require changes in the respective responsibilities of the state and the counties. The full budget document can be found here: www.dof.ca.gov
626 792 4441 · redwhitebluezz.com bm 1-4 vert march 2012.indd 1
3/8/12 5:11 PM