A Journey Back in Time and Into the Future

ByGreg Aragon

Even though my recent road trip to California’sEastern Sierra was carefully planned out, I still couldn’t resist stoppingalong the way to investigate other places of interest that caught my eye. Suchwas the case with Red Rock Canyon State Park and the Mojave Air and Space Port,both located off Highway 14 in Kern County. 

The Mojave Airport first opened in 1935 as asmall, rural airfield serving the local gold and silver mining industry. In1942, the U.S. Marine Corps took it over and expanded it as the Marine CorpsAuxiliary Air Station (MCAAS) Mojave. In 1961, Kern County obtained title andin 2013, its name was changed to Mojave Air and Space Port.

While at the airfield we examined the RotaryRocket Roton ATV, which in 1999 became the first rocket-powered vehicle to flyat Mojave Spaceport. Next to this craft, we encountered a replica of Space ShipOne, which was part of the first private manned space program in the country.

We then had lunch at the airport’s VoyagerRestaurant, located on the runway. While eating a bowl of chili and onionrings, we watched planes and helicopters take-off. We also read about othercool things happening at the facility.

There is a Virgin Galactic hangar,where The Spaceship Company (TSC), Virgin Galactic’s sister company,is developing the world’s first commercial spaceline. Virgin Galactic, owned bySir Richard Branson, aims to send members of the general public on suborbitalflights to space. The company has sold numerous tickets to people wanting to beon the forefront of space tourism. The construction and test of space vehiclesand carrier ships is completed here in Mojave.

The airport also currentlyhouses Stratolauch Systems, a Paul G Allen Project, which is attempting tobuild the largest aircraft to ever fly. The vehicle is designed to bring mannedand unmanned vehicles to space.

From space age rockets at the airport wejourneyed back in time to the ancient rock formations at Red Rock Canyon StatePark.

Once home to the Kawaiisu Indians, who leftpetroglyphs and artifacts in the El Paso Mountains, Red Rock Canyon State Parkfeatures scenic desert cliffs, buttes and spectacular rock formations. The parkis located where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada converges with theEl Paso Range. Each tributary canyon is unique, with dramatic shapes and vividcolors.

The spectacular canyon was on the NativeAmerican trade route for thousands of years. During the 1870s, the colorfulrock formations in the park served as landmarks for 20-mule team freight wagonsthat stopped for water. About 1850, it was used by survivors of the famousDeath Valley trek. The park now protects significant paleontology sites and theremains of 1890s-era mining operations.

When my friends and I got to Red Rock, it was awindy October day. As we slowly drove around the one road that circles thesanctuary, it felt like we were in a scene from the dinosaur classic “JurassicPark.” Maybe that’s because the movie was filmed here. In fact, due to itsunique landscape, Red Rock was used in lots of movies, including “The Mummy,”“Zorro Rides Again,” “Westworld,” and “Airwolf,” to name a few.

The scenery was so impressive that we soon founda place to park and began to climb the rocks and take pictures and look fornative wildlife such as snakes, roadrunners, hawks, lizards, mice andsquirrels.

Besides us there were lots of campers in the rugged, 27,000-square-foot park. They were staying at Ricardo Campground, which is tucked up against the base of dramatic desert cliffs, with 50 primitive campsites, potable water, pit toilets, fire rings, and tables. You must bring your own firewood or buy it at the visitor center.
For day visiting, there are miles of trails to explore and shaded picnic tables near the Visitor Center. The day-use parking lot and picnic area, open sunrise to sunset, is $6 per vehicle. Red Rock Canyon State Park is located 120 miles north of Los Angeles off Highway 14. For more information on visiting the area, call (661) 946-6092 or visit: www.parks.ca.gov. For more info on visiting Mojave Air and Space Port, call (661) 824-2433 or visit: www.mojaveairport.com.